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Flying High

                           Last June when kites flew high alongside COVID-19, world scientists were working in their labs to                                          understand the disease and find ways to tame its spread.

Physics vs Psychology

Physics and psychology may seem to have evolved from different universes, but the way they are studied is similar. Practitioners of both, use identical techniques to solve problems. Physicists call it the scientific method, a process practiced in science museums like the ones I ran. Psychologists call it cognitive psychology when adopting a scientific approach to mental processes by conducting experiments that confirm or refute hypotheses. As a psychologist, I had to be thoughtful about its use because it is difficult to control for behavioral and cultural variables. The success I had with clients and my own difficulties made me value the scientific method. I use it frequently and find it has a great deal of merit when applied to most problems. The scientific method, outlined by Sir Francis Bacon (1661-1626), has five basic steps plus a feedback loop. 

1. Make an observation.
2. Ask a question.
3. Form a hypothesis or testable explanation.
4. Make a prediction based on the hypothesis.
5. Test the prediction.
6. Draw Conclusions-if the hypothesis turns out to be true, find more evidence to support it, if false, create a new hypothesis and start the cycle over again.

The method is followed in all of the sciences as a way to solve problems. An example applied to an everyday situation follows.

1. Observation - My washing machine won't work
2. Question - Why won't it work?
3. Hypothesis - Because the plug is loose. Maybe I accidentally pulled it out when reaching for a piece of clothing that fell behind the machine.
4. Prediction - Put the plug back in and the machine will work
5. Test - Check the plug to see if it is tight and plug it in again.
6. Result - It still won't work. I need to form a new hypothesis. Perhaps a fuse blew. Testing the fuse found it to be the reason the machine stopped working. The result might lead to another question. Why did the fuse blow? and so the process continues. Scientific research evolves, often creating additional questions as it looks for solutions to the original problem. 

Those who expect absolute results from research may find the approach frustrating. For instance, many people are upset that information given to the public about COVID changed over the course of the year. They wanted absolute information that made them feel safe and secure. Instead, they found themselves in the middle of a research project. 

What was known about the disease last spring raised questions. Hypotheses were formed that had to be tested. Some results were not as scientists expected. It took a while to find out that the disease was airborne and not passed on by touching objects. Early on, we were advised to wash our groceries before putting them away. That precaution proved to be unnecessary. Many people blame the CDC for changing their recommendations over the course of the pandemic. I believe they should be honored for suggesting precautions until tests showed results. Their thinking was logical and their concern for public health was paramount in the minds of these health professionals. 

People commonly act as scientists when solving mechanical and electrical problems. However, when it comes to emotional issues, they neglect to use the scientific method. As a problem-solving technique, the system is a smart one to follow. An example of how it can be applied to emotional distress follows.

Early in the pandemic, Jane Doe, age sixty-eight, lost her husband to a heart attack. His death was more traumatic than it might have been because she couldn't visit him in the hospital and wasn't there to say goodbye as he died. She and her husband of thirty years used to volunteer for Food Bank when he was alive, but with COVID raging, she was afraid to risk being around other people.

At first, a few friends and neighbors called. Some left food outside of her door, but as COVID increased they too pulled back. She told her son, who lived across the country, not to come home because she didn't want him traveling on airplanes.  He listened to his mother but is quite worried about her. 

Jane sat home for months and grieved alone. Depressed, she found it difficult to sleep through the night and impossible to get out of bed in the morning. There seemed to be no way forward. She lost weight and was ready to follow her husband to the grave.

A neighbor realizing the state she was in decided to see how she could help.

1. Observation - The neighbor had been observing the decline of her friend over a five-month period. She called Jane several times to better understand her state of mind. Jane missed tactile contact and interacting with people.
2. Question - The neighbor thought long and hard, questioning what could be done to help Jane.
3. Hypothesis - An animal might supply a tactile connection and learning to use Zoom might put her in better communication with friends.
4.  Prediction - She predicted that if Jane had a dog, there would be a reason for Zane to get up and out of the house for walks. The animal would also be a warm body to touch and pet. If she learned to use ZOOM she could see her son and show him she is doing better.
5. Test - After establishing friendly interchanges, the neighbor brought up the subject of pet ownership., the neighbor brought up the subject of pet ownership. Jane told her she used to have a dog when she was young. The neighbor asked if she would consider having one again. Jane wasn't sure, but she agreed to walk her neighbor's Beagle, dog sit it for an afternoon, and think about the idea.
6. Result - Jane decided a dog was more than she could handle, but she thought a cat would be an animal she could enjoy. Jane acquired a Birman cat from a shelter. The cat cried in the morning to be fed and got Jane out of bed and dressed. She started taking walks in the morning, greeting neighbors on her way. She liked stroking and cuddling her cat while watching television at night. Her sleep became more regular. Using ZOOM, Jane joined a counseling group for people who lost loved ones and joined a book club.

By working with her neighbor to set parameters for the animal experiment, Jane became involved in a self-healing process. 

As we journey through life, we would do well to travel as scientists. Problems will occur that have to be faced head-on and tackled with purpose and patience. Several revolutions of the scientific method may be required before they are solved. Cycles commonly lead to more questions, hypotheses, predictions, and tests. 

The scientific method is a process for understanding and points the way to growth. It is also a coping mechanism for dealing with unexpected situations. But over time, those who use the system gain new insights about themselves and eventually feel better.

Resources

From Kahn Academy website: The Scientific Method, Khan Academy retrieved from METHOD.

McLeod,S.(2020) Is Psychology a Science? Simply Psychology. retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/science-psychology.html

Science of Psychology. American Psychological Association. retrieved from https://www.apa.org/action/science