Beware of False Humanists
“At the same time, I cannot find a single discovery in the history of science that has been made by following the conviction that everybody is different.” I have yet […]
Mr Hyde – The Dark Side of Placebo Effect
On May 7, 2021 the new article (co-written with Maciej Zatonski) was published at: We hear very often about the benefits of auto-suggestion (a.k.a. placebos) in medicine, but much less […]
Suicide Prevention and the Social Science Cargo Cult
When white people began visiting the islands of the Pacific Ocean, the native peoples, fascinated by the abundance of good things coming to them, assiduously observed the visitors’ behaviour. They concluded […]
“Shaping Psychology” reviewed by Science-Based Medicine
On December 29, 2020 a review of my new book Shaping Psychology: Legacy, Controversy and the Future of the Field written by Harriet Hall was published at: Meet the Psychologists […]
About “Shaping Psychology” in “The Skeptical Intelligencer”
Tomasz Witkowski proves to be an able interviewer, very knowledgeable and well informed about psychological and philosophical matters. Prof. Michael Heap who is the Editor of Quarterly Magazine of the Association […]
‘If we don’t solve the incentives problem, we will become a very narrow discipline’
Tomasz Witkowski meets Brian Nosek, in an edited extract from Tomasz’s new book of interviews. This is an edited extract from ‘Chapter 13, Brian A. Nosek: Open Science and Reproducibility […]
My new book is coming soon!
A wonderful book, full of unexpected and insightful answers to probing questions. The full sweep of psychology and the mind sciences is in full display. A must read. Michael S. […]
The Benefits of Loneliness – my new article in the Areo Magazine
In 2017, then British prime minister Theresa May appointed Tracey Crouch to the newly created position of Minister for Sport, Civil Society and Loneliness. Crouch became the head of an […]
Choosing the Final Freedom: Suicide in the Past and Present – my new article in the Areo Magazine
During the Second World War, my mother’s sister was a liaison officer in the resistance movement. She performed very important clandestine work. As she said herself, she wasn’t afraid of […]
Wisdom vs. Authority in Science – my new article in the Areo Magazine
The story of Abraham and Isaac is probably the most shocking example of submissiveness to authority in the written records of our civilization. However, this tragedy is rarely used as […]
Pop Concert, Opera — Or Both? What Drives People To Become “Cultural Omnivores”
My last article in BPS Research Digest. Enjoy reading! Research Digest By guest bloggerTomasz Witkowski While waiting for the philharmonic orchestra to begin in the concert hall, you observe the […]
“Psychology Gone Wrong” on the bestseller list of the German portal “Bucher World”
I am pleased to inform you that Psychology Gone Wrong. The Dark Side of Science and Therapy hit the bestseller list of the German portal in the category of clinical […]
A miracle cancer prevention and treatment? Not necessarily as the analysis of 26 articles by legendary Hans Eysenck shows.
It is currently estimated that at least one in four readers of this article will die of cancer. This rather simple statistic leads rational readers to consider such cause of […]
Neuro-linguistic programming: A critical evaluation for managers and engineers
I am pleased to inform you that a few months ago a book was published which contains a chapter of my co-authorship devoted to the critical assessment of neuro-linguistic programming […]
After 12 years my Sokal-style hoax is still alive and well
It’s been 12 years since I managed to publish an article dedicated to a new type of psychotherapy, which appeared in the Polish popular science journal Charaktery under the title […]
Will this time be different?
Originally posted on The Hardest Science:
I had the honor to deliver the closing address to the Society for the Improvement of Psychological Science on July 9, 2019 in Rotterdam.…
There Is Limited Evidence To Support The Widely Held Belief That Psychotherapy Changes The Body As Well As The Mind
Research Digest By guest blogger Tomasz Witkowski Looking at the latest epidemiological data, it could be argued that we are in the midst of a pandemic of mental illness, of dimensions […]
Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full? Latest Results in the Replication Crisis in Psychology
My contribution to the discussion about the replication crisis published in Skeptical Inquirer. Enjoy reading! For years a chorus of voices has spoken of a replication crisis in psychology, particularly […]
Are Criminal Profilers “Any Better Than A Bartender”? Not Necessarily, Suggests Review Of 40 Years Of Relevant Research
The profession of “criminal profiler” is one shrouded in secrecy, even giving off a hint of danger. Yet when the American psychiatrist James A. Brussel began profiling a particular suspect […]
HOW CORRUPT IS ACADEMIC PSYCHOLOGY?
Thanks to Danny Whittaker, the author of the blog MY OWN WORST ENEMY, I invite you to listen to the podcast: or watch a video of my conversation with Danny: […]
Replication Crisis – Next Scene
Everybody talks about replication again. This is due to the results of Many Labs 2. You can read about it among others in NATURE, THE ATLANTIC, FUTURISM.COM, etc. Over the past few years, […]
MANY UNDERGRAD PSYCH TEXTBOOKS DO A POOR JOB OF DESCRIBING SCIENCE AND EXPLORING PSYCHOLOGY’S PLACE IN IT
Psychology as a scientific field enjoys a tremendous level of popularity throughout society, a fascination that could even be described as religious. This is likely the reason why it is […]
The Primum non nocere principle in psychotherapy: A science based approach
Is the principle of primum non nocere, to do no harm, applied by psychotherapists? First, do no harm – a rule that enjoys practically unconditional acceptance by all of human civilization, […]
Rituals Harnessed to Improve Self-control
Problems with following a diet, obesity, the inability to conquer addictions, the absence of a systematic approach to learning, insufficient physical activity, excessive drinking, narcotics dependency, risky sexual behaviours, uncontrolled […]
Psychotherapy Without Makeup: Conversations on Psychotherapy Failures
This is an English title of my new book published last month in Polish. It consists of fourteen interviews – seven of them are my conversations with patients who have […]
Even those participants who claimed pop culture is unimportant suffered psychological ill effects from feeling out of the loop
My next contribution to BPS Research Digest. Enjoy reading! Celebrities are people famous for being famous. Have you ever given any thought to how it happens that pop-culture figures become […]
Thinking Ahead: Susan Blackmore, Diego Fontanive, James Randi, Tomasz Witkowski
This is a video material recorded during the 17th European Skeptics Congress in Poland, 2017 by Diego Fontanive from EOF project. Below you will find his description of this video. […]
When tears turn into pearls: Post-traumatic growth following childhood and adolescent cancer
My next contribution to Research Digest. Enjoy reading! It’s hard to imagine a crueller fate than when a child receives a diagnosis of an illness as difficult as cancer. A […]
Scott Lilienfeld at the ESC’17 – Tunnel Vision: Confirmation Bias from Courtroom to Boardroom to Bedroom
This is a video recording of the lecture given by Scott Lilienfeld during the 17th European Skeptics Congress co-organized by the Polish Skeptics Club. Wroclaw, Poland, 22-24 September 2017. Enjoy! Abstract […]
Skeptical Psychology – panel discussion. Susan Blackmore, Scott Lilienfeld, Zbyněk Vybíral, Tomasz Witkowski
During the 17th European Skeptic Congress which took place in Wroclaw, Poland, 22-24 September 2017 there was a panel discussion devoted to skeptical psychology. Susane Blackmore, Scott Lilienfeld, Zbynek Vybiral […]
People who think they exercise less than their peers die earlier, regardless of their actual activity levels
My next contribution to Research Digest. Enjoy reading! Adjusting for actual physical activity, individuals who perceived themselves as less active than others were up to 71 per cent more likely to […]
“Psychology Gone Wrong” and “Psychology Led Astray” in the “SKEPTIKER”
For all of you who know German I’ve published reviews of my books written by Rouven Schäfer and published in the SKEPTIKER. To read them just click on the link below […]
A Scientist Pushes Psychology Journals toward Open Data
My contribution to the discussion about raw data. Enjoy reading! Article.pdf
New meta-analysis undermines the myth that negative emotions can cause cancer
My next contribution to Research Digest. Enjoy reading! CANCER, GUEST BLOGGER, HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH April 20, 2017 By guest blogger Tomasz Witkowski At least one in four readers of this post will die […]
About “Psychology Led Astray ” in “The Skeptical Intelligencer”
Psychology Led Astray is a well-written, readable and thoroughly researched book. … The importance of its subject matter is difficult to overstate. Anyone who is concerned, however remotely, with the study […]
Psychology Gone Wrong: The Dark Sides of Science and Therapy
FREE copies of my books from iTunes!
I am really happy to announce that from yesterday the first 10 people who read Psychology Gone Wrong and will send to the Fan Page on a FB a short unique review […]
Fith anniversary of the “Psychology is Science, not Witchcraft” Campaign
Today, it’s been exactly five years since the “Psychology is Scence, Not Witchcraft” campaign was launched. I think it’s a very good occasion to remember it’s assumptions and goals. Below […]
My Interview for The European Skeptics Podcast
Thanks to Andras G. Pinter, Jelena Levin and Pontus Bockman I have an honour to be a guest of the #60 episode of The European Skeptics Podcast. Below you will find original […]
An interview for “The Psychologist”
Q&A – Tomasz Witkowski Rebecca Stack, Associate Editor for Books, speaks to Tomasz Witkowski, the author of Psychology Led Astray: Cargo Cult in Science and Therapy. Tell me a bit […]
After half a century of research, psychology can’t predict suicidal behaviours better than by coin flip
My next contribution to Research Digest. As it is about huge failure of psychology, it would be inappropriately to say “enjoy reading”, but I encourage you to do it anyway. […]
Prof. Scott Lilienfeld about “Psychology Led Astray”
One of the best known skeptical psychologists in the World, prof. Scott Lilienfeld wrote about Psychology Led Astray: Cargo Cult in Science and Therapy: An entertaining but extremely important […]
“Skeptical Inquirer” about “Psychology Led Astray”
I have a pleasure to inform that this review listing appeared in January/February 2017 Skeptical Inquirer, “New & Notable” books column. PSYCHOLOGY LED ASTRAY: Cargo Cult in Science and Therapy. Tomasz […]
Why do we enjoy reality TV?
More than two months ago Christian Jarret, the editor of Research Digest asked me to become a guest writer. I took the challenge and this is my debut in Research Digest. Although only […]
Elizabeth Loftus awarded 2016 John Maddox Prize
Just few weeks ago on the occasion of the publication of my new book Psychology Led Astray: Cargo Cult in Science and Therapy, The Psychologist interviewed me (not published yet). They asked me several […]
Sense and Nonsense about the Sign of Cross
Prof Martin Bier visited Poland this summer. He gave a very interesting lecture for Polish skeptics, but we were also discussing much about pseudoscience. One of the most preposterous examples we […]
“Psychology Led Astray” launched!
I am really happy to inform you that my book “Psychology Led Astray: Cargo Cult in Science and Therapy” is already available at publishers web pages: http://www.brownwalker.com/book/1627346090 as well as at Amazon: […]
“Psychology Led Astray” reviewed by Science-Based Medicine
On March 15, 2016 a review of my new unpublished book “Psychology Led Astray: Cargo Cult in Science and Therapy” written by Harriet Hall was published at: Cargo Cult Psychology […]
Prof. James E. Alcock about “Psychology Led Astray”
Its my great pleasure to inform you that my new book have been highly evaluated by one of the most outstanding skeptics of the 20th Century – prof. James E. […]
“Psychology Led Astray” – first review of my new book
There is still not known the date of the publishing of my new book but I am happy to write that I’ve already got first review. Prof. Elisabeth F. Loftus, […]
