Types of behavior

Overt observations refer to the researcher being open about their intentions in the
field and ensuring all members of the social group are aware of what is happening.
An advantage of this type of observation is that it allows the researcher to be
honest with the participants, thus avoiding problematic ethical issues such as
deception or lack of informed consent. Furthermore, it also prevents the researcher
from becoming over-familiar with the participants and going native
..
Covert observations involve the researcher not informing members of the group the reason for their
presence; keeping their true intentions secret. This automatically raises ethical concerns. In this case,
the researcher may not be protected, or may not protect others, from the risk of harm- especially if
they social group they are studying are a deviant group that may partake in violent acts. Also, they will
be deceiving the participants and will lack informed consent. Also, in this type of observation there are
chances that the researcher could become bias in their view and may go native. An advantage of
covert observation is that it allows us access to social groups that normally would not provide consent
to being involved in studies. Therefore, allowing us to research and expand knowledge on lesser-known
social groups, which in turn will widen our Psychological understanding of the world. Also, this type of
observation avoids problems surrounding observer-effects and so may be considered to be higher in
validity than overt observations. An example of a covert observation would be the famous Banduras
1961 Bobo doll study. In this study, after watching a model act violently the children were unknowingly
observed as they played with toys, so the researcher could measure the childrens level of aggression
after watching a model acting aggressively. The children were unaware that they were being observed
and the reasons why they were involved in this study and therefore they would more likely to show
natural displays of behaviour.

Rational would be a reasoned response to a situation, such as, "I'm scared of that drop, because if I fall
I'll die". Irrational would be unjustified, such as "I'm scared of that daddy long-legs despite me knowing
that i can't actually hurt me". That also translates rational being "you insulted me verbally, I will ask you to
stop, and possibly call the police if you don't heed my warning" then irrational would be "you insulted me
verbally, I'll punch you, despite knowing that it's an over reaction and the consequences would haf out
weight the benefits". Did that help?
Rational is lacking in reasoning... ""not endowed with reason" , out of the ordinary
Conscious behavior can be that behavior that you are fully aware of doing, like making breakfast.
Unconscious behavior would be the automatic responses of the human body, such as breathing, and
your heart beating.

Examples of Pseudoscience

Pseudoscience includes beliefs, theories, or practices that have been or are considered scientific, but have no basis
in scientific fact. This could mean they were disproved scientifically, cant be tested or lack evidence to support them.
Pseudoscience Related to Space and Astronomy

2012 Phenomenon - Expectations that 2012 would bring large-scale disasters or even the end
of the world
Ancient Astronauts - Proposes that aliens have visited the earth in the past and influenced our
civilization
Astrology - Belief that humans are affected by the position of celestial bodies

Crop Circles - Some believe these are made by aliens

Face on Mars - A rock formation on Mars that resembles a face and is believed to be evidence
of life
Flat Earth Society - Claims the Earth is flat and disc-shaped
Moon Landing Conspiracy - Contends the original moon landing was faked

Pseudoscience Related to the Earth

366 Geometry or Megalithic Geometry - Based on dividing a circle into 366 degrees and is used
by Freemasons
Hollow Earth Theory - A belief that the Earth is hollow, at least somewhat, and it is expanding
Bermuda Triangle - An area where unexplained events, like disappearances of ships and
airlplanes, have occurred
Cryptozoology - The search for Bigfoot (Yeti), the Loch Ness monster, El Chupacabra and other
creatures that biologists believe do not exist
Biodynamic Agriculture - Organic farming that has some non-scientific methods of crop
cultivation
Mythical Creatures - The belief that fairies, elves, pixies and gnomes exist

Pseudoscience Related to the Paranormal

Channeling - Involves communicating with a spirit through a person

Dowsing - A method of finding water, metals, or precious stones

underground by using a divining rod
Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) - Used by ghost hunters to record
messages from spirits
Extra-sensory Perception (ESP) - Covers several methods of gaining
information, like clairvoyance, telepathy and remote viewing
Levitation - Raising something and suspending it in mid-air
Numerology - A belief in a relationship between certain numbers and
people or events

Pseudoscience Related to Psychology

Conversion Therapy - Attempts to change a persons sexual preference

from homosexual to heterosexual
Hypnosis - A method of deep relaxation where the subject is open to
suggestions
Primal Therapy - Belief that experiences before and during birth influence
the way our life unfolds
Polygraphy - A lie detector test used to determine if the subject is lying by
measuring changes in some vital signs
Psychoanalysis - Developed by Sigmund Freud, this psychiatic treatment
method is still controversial
Subliminal Advertising - Receiving data through seeing or hearing, while
not being aware of receiving it