How can testing hypotheses help a person?

by | May 22, 2011 | Uncategorized | 7 comments

Harold Camping is in the news because he predicted the end of the world, beginning with earthquakes on May 26, 2011. I credit him for stating a testable hypothesis. Stating testable hypotheses is an important part of the scientific method, which has brought humanity a great amount of knowledge and progress. The idea is to test a theory or belief by stating an hypothesis that can be accepted or rejected based on evidence that one can collect. Religions rarely state testable hypotheses; scientists state them as a matter of course. It can be very disappointing for a scientist to find evidence against a strongly held belief, e.g., that cold-behaving mothers are the cause of autism in children. But human disappointment does not slow appreciably the march of science — unsupported theories are tossed aside, and new (or revised) theories take their place.

Humans can benefit from hypothesis testing in their personal lives. Cognitive-behavior therapy often includes personal hypothesis testing. Fro instance, a depressed client might test the self-defeating belief that “I never do anything right” or that “I’m too old to change.” An anxious client might test the belief that ”if I don’t check the stove six times, the house will burn down.”  Can you see ways to test each of these beliefs?

I used to believe that if I dived into water I would drown. I tested that hypothesis by gradually doing behaviors closer and closer to diving into water.  Then I started diving in again and again– I didn’t drown or cone close to drowning, and I lost that belief.

What important beliefs of yours have you ever intentionally tested by collecting evidence? What was the result?

John Malouff, PhD, JD, Associate Professor of Psychology

7 Comments

  1. I use to believe that if i swam a lap i would drown half way. Every time i swam half way i would run out of breath and start to panic. A swimming coach told me when i was about 11 or 12 that i looked like a drowning rat and i must of always believed that. When i was about 48 years old i met a swimming instructor through work. I told her how i always wanted to swim laps but had a fear of drowning. The instructor gave me a private hour lesson and told me that i had a nice style of swimming and that i did not look anything like a drowning rat! She also told me that i need to breathe to the left as that seemed to be where i was more comfortable even though i am right handed, i do use sissors with my left hand. So with goggles, ear plugs and flippers i have been swimming about 40 laps ever since. I cant believe that i hung onto that belief for so long and missed out on all that swimming. Driving was another phobia and for that one i drove all the way from NSW to Qld and i enjoy driving everywhere now adays. I think i was the phobia queen but from my late 40’s decided to eliminate all phobias, well most. I am still afraid of sharks! I really enjoy these blogs John, really makes me think.

  2. Collecting evidence, after my lesson with the nice instructor i was still fearful. As i swam and got nearer to half way i could feel my heart starting to pound so i calmly told myself that i could do it and to concentrate on my breathing. I reminded myself that i didnt drown and congratulated myself as well. Then i noticed that everyday i could swim a little further past the half way mark before the panic attack would start and now i dont even think about it. With driving i didnt like any other cars to be near me, in traffic i was a mess and then gradually i decided that cars were driven by people who were just like me. So i would calmly tell myself car coming take a breath and its ok. By the time i got to the Central Coast i was doing fine until i got to Brisbane, that was a nightmare but i did the cars coming by the heaps, only people and breathe through it. As far as sharks go i think i will hold onto that phobia, i dont want to swim with sharks at all! 🙂

  3. Hi Joanne,

    Well done for overcoming your swimming phobia. I’m with you about the sharks.

    Although I haven’t got any specific phobias as such (other than ex-husbands) I used to believe that I wouldn’t be able to study at university because I wasn’t intelligent enough. In my early 30’s I started questioning this belief by attending various evening classes and found out I was quite capable of understanding the content. I tried several different courses over the years.

    Eventually, I took a leap of faith (a giant one at the time) and decided to take a university preparation course. This course was being run by an amazing person who actively encouraged me to apply for a university place. It was a great feeling to have someone think that I was intellectually capable. I applied for university and have almost finished my honours degree.

    It took me a long time to collect evidence that I was intelligent enough for university, but the result has been amazing and I’m finally doing something I’ve always wanted to do.

    Best wishes,

    Kimberley

  4. Hello 333. You built self-efficacy by trying and succeeding. The first part is essential — a person can’t succeed without trying. The teacher who recognized the potential in you and encouraged you deserves credit. Bits of unexpected evidence like that can have big effects.

    Keep developing new hypotheses about what you can accomplish, and keep testing them. You might find many successes ahead.

  5. Hi JA. I like your use of coping self-statements.

  6. Dear John, Thankyou. I never thought of it as coping self- statements. I cant wait to learn more. Joanne

  7. Dear Kimberley,
    Thank you for your reply. How amazing that you are doing your honours. That is a real achievement and something to be so proud of. I would love to do my honours, one step at a time.

    I always feel when attending residential school that i am surrounded by positive vibes, is that positive re- inforcement?

    I always enjoyed the learning part of school but i attended that many schools i didnt like the getting to know new people etc as i was very shy. I too always studied at Tafe and College, my fear wasnt about intelligence but more about feeling good enough. Even when i bought my first new car i couldnt drive it because i didnt feel that i deserved it. Now bring on those new cars, well maybe one more in my life time. 🙂 Teachers can play such an important part in children’s lives as well as parents especially mothers. The encouraging and re inforcing of believing in oneself.

    One thing i did ask myself quite often was why is that other people have these great things and i cant so i would observe people trying to find the answer of what made me different. I realised that there was no great difference
    that i could have anything i wanted. That i was the only person stopping myself and i needed to believe in myself.

    Yes maybe i have a phobia about ex husbands as well as i have not taken that step and its 24 years since i was married! Maybe i need to start collecting evidence. I like the thought of collecting evidence. 🙂 mmmn Overcome the phobia of husbands or sharks, maybe the sharks would be less scarey! 🙂

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *