Stats Can Be Sexy

                                        

Visualizing Data for the Masses

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Wells's 1903 argument

• Physical science and advanced thinking require mathematical analysis skills
• Soon, citizen competence will include the ability to compute, analyze averages,, and understand extremes.

Wilks's 1951 simplification

• "Statistical thinking will be essential for citizenship as reading and writing" (Marriott, 2014).

Wilks's breakdown of statistical thinking according to Marriot (2014).

• Six core concepts
  
• Expectation and variance - understanding averages, maximums, and minimums.
• Distribution - Recognizing patterns in data variation
• Probability - Assessing the likelihood of events
• Risk - Evaluating potential costs or dangers
• Correlation - Identifying relationships between variables

Basically, both thinkers highlight the need for data literacy in a world increasingly driven by information and analysis.

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Marriot (2014) argues that the traditional definition of statistical thinking needs to be expanded to include three new concepts which are data, cognition, and visualization.

Data

Data is the lifeblood of statistics, but it's not explicitly included in the current definition. Marriot (2014) highlights the risk of big data and data science, suggesting that statisticians risk being left behind if they do not embrace data in all its forms. (Marriot, 2014)

Marriot (2014) states that adding data to the definition of statistical thinking will not solve the problem on its own, but it will send an important message that statisticians are the original data scientists and embrace data in all its forms. 

Cognition🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦

The human ability to think statistically is limited and  Kahneman's book exposes cognitive errors made by people and statisticians according to Marriot (2014).

Dual system thinking - Marriot (2014) states that Kahneman proposes two thinking systems:

1. System 1- fast, intuitive, prone to biases
2. System 2 - slow, logical, effortful

• Statistical thinking relies heavily on system 2
• Despite our natural cognitive limitations, Marriot (2014) reminds us that Kahneman offers strategies to mitigate errors, encouraging the conscious engagement of System 2 in statistical reasoning, since System 1's instinctive responses can lead to erroneous judgments.

Visualization🟥🟥🟥🟥▶️

• Statisticians excel at visualization tools like histograms, and box plots but at the same time struggle with effective communication through visuals.
• Including visualization in the definition of statistical thinking emphasizes statisticians' ability to analyze and communicate data effectively.
• Statisticians should embrace collaboration with other professionals like graphic designers and neuroscientists to keep up with evolving data trends and expertise.

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                                                            References

Marriott, N. (2014), The future of statistical thinking. Significance, 11: 78-80. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-9713.2014.00787.x

Navigating

 The Waves of Change: Embracing Life's Dynamic Nature

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• Life is a continuous dance of change, an ever-evolving tapestry woven with threads of both anticipation and uncertainty. Like a river meandering through the landscape, our lives are constantly shifting and reshaping, adapting to the terrain and the currents that propel us forward. Some changes, like the gentle progression of seasons, unfold gradually, allowing us to prepare and adjust with ease. Others, like sudden storms, strike with unexpected force, leaving us scrambling to find our footing amidst the chaos.

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• Amidst this dynamic flux, the human spirit possesses an innate capacity to adjust, to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of life. Adjustment, in essence, is the process of altering our behavior or expectations to achieve a desired outcome or state of equilibrium. It's a dance of negotiation, a delicate balancing act between our internal desires and the external realities that surround us.

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Consider the simple act of driving. As we navigate the roads, we encounter unexpected obstacles, like traffic jams or sudden detours. In such instances, our adjustment mechanism kicks in, prompting us to seek a detour, slow down, or even consider an alternative route altogether. This automatic adaptation is a testament to our ability to respond to changing circumstances in real time.

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Similarly, we adjust our communication styles to match those of the people we interact with. Subconsciously, we mirror their verbal and nonverbal cues, creating a sense of rapport and connection. This ability to chameleonize, to blend in with our surroundings, is a crucial social skill that facilitates effective communication and understanding.

However, some adjustments are more profound, requiring a deeper level of conscious effort and personal transformation. The transition from high school to college, for instance, marks a significant turning point in an individual's life. It's a period of adapting to new environments, forming new friendships, and navigating the academic rigors of higher education.

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• In the realm of personality psychology, adjustment takes on a central role. It refers to the significant changes an individual undergoes in response to internal and external challenges. Adjustment, unlike coping, is not always a conscious or deliberate process. It can be a subtle shift in perspective, a gradual acceptance of new circumstances, or a complete overhaul of one's beliefs and behaviors.

As we navigate the ever-changing currents of life, let us embrace the process of adjustment, not as a sign of weakness, but as a testament to our resilience and adaptability.  Let us view change not as a threat but as an opportunity for growth, a chance to reinvent ourselves and discover new possibilities.

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Remember, life is not a static destination but a continuous journey of transformation. Embrace the ebb and flow, the twists and turns, and let the process of adjustment guide you toward
a more fulfilling and resilient existence. 

Zimbardo

Experiment

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• The Stanford Prison Experiment was a psychology experiment conducted in 1971 by Philip Zimbardo at Stanford University.
• The experiment was designed to examine the psychological effects of imprisonment, particularly the effects of power and authority.

🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪Methods

• Participants were 24 male college students who were randomly assigned to be either prisoners or guards.
• The experiment took place in a mock prison that was set up in the basement of the psychology building.
• The guards were given instructions to maintain order and discipline in the prison, while the prisoners were given instructions to obey the guards.

🧪🧪 Results

• Within a few days, the guards began to exhibit abusive behavior towards the prisoners, including sleep deprivation, sexual humiliation, physical abuse, solitary confinement, and incessant prisoner counts.
• Many of the prisoners became depressed and disoriented
• Half of the student prisoners had to be released from the study because of psychological strain
• The experiment was terminated after six days due to the emotional suffering of the prisoners and the escalating abuse of the guards.

🧪🧪🧪Conclusion

• The Stanford Prison Experiment demonstrated the powerful effects of situational factors on human behavior.
• It also highlighted the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of ethical considerations in research.

The experiment was designed to be realistic so the participants were not told that it was a simulation. The experiment was videotaped and the recordings were used to study the behavior of the participants. The Stanford Prison Experiment was criticized for its ethical concerns but it is still considered to be one of the most important psychology experiments ever conducted.

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 References

 Lurigio, A. J. (2023). Stanford prison experiment. Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health.