Re: [Phys-l] Responding to a DJ about science

["John Clement" <clement@hal-pc.org>]

The main attribute is a strong paradigm that they are right, despite
evidence to the contrary.  Unfortunately they do not let facts get in the
way.  Actually this is a common human trait that we all share.  But
scientists may be a bit less prone to this when it comes to their own
subject.  But they are very prone to this in fields outside their subject.
Even well known scientists as Einstein can have such a strong conviction
about reality that they fail to respond to evidence.

An example of how other traits can bring down these people is some of the
recent articles about how the religious right has been disintegrating
because some of their notable spokespeople have been caught in embarrassing
situations.  Sexual peccadilloes and racial gaffes can bring down many a
politician or preacher.  The recent tea party group does not seem to have a
religious right orientation, unlike many Republicans.

The recent post about how the DJ kept on changing the subject brings up an
interesting psychological model.  While behaviorism is a failure in
improving performance on cognitive tasks, it does have some insight into how
to control behavior.  If someone is a chronic complainer, one way of
breaking this is to quench it by not responding to it.  Silence and or
changing the subject denies the person the reward they seek.  I remember a
case study of how a psychologist changed her mother's behavior from being a
crabby old lady in a retirement home, to being her old witty self.  This was
done by quenching the bad behavior.  Actually animal trainers can be very
effective at maintaining classroom discipline, but they may not be good at
improving student cognition.

Unfortunately debating the DJ may be reinforcing the undesirable behavior.
Once the pressure is off, evidence can be used to change minds.  This is
precisely what is done in PER and other research based programs.  The
students have to come to grips with physical evidence rather than just bad
grades.  After all grades are the teacher's fault, but experimental evidence
is from mother nature.  And of course the DJ's listeners may consider the
DJ's arguments to be successful.  A very few might be convinced.  Oh and the
1934 hottest year is a Regonesque story.  The hottest is remembered, and the
exact context is changed to fit the teller's misconceptions.

John M. Clement
Houston, TX


> Would you please describe "this type of person" in a little more detail?
>
> Bob at PC
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-
> bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of John Clement
> Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 10:20 AM
> To: 'Forum for Physics Educators'
> Subject: Re: [Phys-l] Responding to a DJ about science
>
> This type of person often eventually descends to personal or racial
> attacks
> and slander in which case they can be sued or the radio station might be
> embarrassed enough to dismiss him.  Generally this type of person can be
> discredited by things other than their know nothing comments.
>
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