The document discusses how to evaluate psychological evidence used in public debates. It provides 6 rules: 1) Correlation does not imply causation, 2) Don't generalize from small samples, 3) Be wary of percentages, 4) Not all evidence is equal, 5) One single study cannot fully defend a claim, and 6) News reports tend to distort science. It then gives two examples of referendums in Ireland where psychological evidence was relevant: the 2015 referendum on marriage equality and the 2018 referendum on abortion access.

1. The use of psychological
evidence in public debates
How to judge for yourself
Dr. Chris Noone
School of Psychology
NUI Galway

6. Correlation does not
imply causation
Rule 1

7. https://tallguywrites.livejournal.com/148012.html

9. Don’t generalize from
small samples
Rule 2

11. Be wary of percentages
Rule 3

14. Not all evidence is equal
Rule 4

15. Systematically
evaluating all the
available evidence
• An unbiased method for determining
what the evidence says

17. One single study cannot
fully defend a claim
Rule 5

19. News reports tend to
distort science
Rule 6

20. Irish Examples

21. Disclaimer
• I am a pro-choice campaigner
• I am a LGBT+ activist
• I am not trying to sway your opinion in this talk
• I am merely demonstrating how to think in an
evidence-based manner
• I acknowledge that there are other determinants
of values and political decisions than evidence
alone

22. 2015 – Referendum on the 34th Amendment
Main focus – whether
marriage should be
available to all consenting
adults without distinction
as to their gender
Where Evidence from
Psychology came in
• Health and wellbeing
benefits of marriage and
inclusion
• Wellbeing of children who
have parents of the same
gender

25. 2018 – Referendum on the 8th Amendment
Main focus – whether the
Oireachtas should be able
to regulate the
termination of pregnancy
Where Evidence from
Psychology comes in
• Health and wellbeing
benefits of those who
need an abortion
• Claims regarding regret
after having an abortion

27. Judging for yourself
1. Correlation does not imply causation
2. Don’t generalize from small samples
3. Be wary of percentages
4. Not all evidence is equal
5. One single study cannot fully defend a claim
6. News reports tend to distort science

28. Conclusion
• Judge supposedly evidence-
based claims made in public
debates with care
• Be open to having your mind
changed by strong scientific
evidence