ABOUT: Jamie Hale

The Rationality of Science
Jamie Hale

Many education and learning myths persist despite not being supported by evidence, and in some cases refuted by extensive evidence. With so much importance placed on the value of education and with so many people interested in education, it isn’t surprising that many myths are born and passed on. Many people have opinions on best …

The Rationality of Science
Jamie Hale

Fitness season is in full swing. Both commercial and home gyms are hot spots this time of the year. The New Year shouldn’t be the only time gyms are full of people striving to maximize their health; fitness season should be twelve months of the year. In my previous column, I discussed some popular health …

The Rationality of Science
Jamie Hale

January is the time of the year when fitness centers see a large increase in memberships. Lots of people start the new year with the plan to become fitter and healthier. It is important to start your new fitness routine the right way—and the right away involves avoiding the plethora of fitness myths promoted by …

The Rationality of Science
Jamie Hale

Scientific processes are among the most influential in modern society, with many aspects of our everyday lives impacted by science. When talking to students about the value of science and how it is often taken for granted, I invite them to take the “no-science challenge.”  This challenge involves going a few days without using products …

The Rationality of Science
Jamie Hale

Psychology involves thinking—behavior and brain processes—so it follows that psychology is important in most areas of life. Everyday conversations are often focused on why we do things the way we do or why people think a certain way. Psychology topics are popular in the media, and the internet often provides abundant psychology information and recommendations …

The Rationality of Science
Jamie Hale

The illusion of cause happens when people form a belief that there is a causal connection between two events that are not in fact connected. This illusion is common and can sometimes lead to negative—even disastrous—consequences in the areas of health, finance, politics, education, fitness, and general well-being. Researchers point out superstitious, magical, and pseudoscientific …

The Rationality of Science
Jamie Hale

Neurotransmitters are chemical substances involved with the transmission of messages among neurons. Neurons—often referred to as the basic functional units of the brain—are brain cells that send, receive, and process information. Neurotransmitters may also communicate with other types of cells, such as skeletal muscle cells. Some of the most studied neurotransmitters are acetylcholine, dopamine, glutamate, …

The Rationality of Science
Jamie Hale

Obesity is associated with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, and respiratory problems. Obesity is a condition of having a BMI (body mass index) of 30–39.9. People labeled as extremely obese have a BMI of 40 or greater. The BMI is determined using a calculation involving the mass and …

The Rationality of Science
Jamie Hale

Broadcasters, academics, researchers, and writers often marvel at the magnificent human brain. They are in awe when considering its complexity, the billions of brain cells it consists of, its computational powers, and the brain’s abilities to perform a wide range of extraordinary jobs. You have probably heard statements such as the human brain is the …

The Rationality of Science
Jamie Hale

Critical thinking is important in both education and everyday thinking. It has been shown to have positive associations with a range of important outcomes (Stanovich et al. 2016), and a key component of critical thinking is holding evidence-based beliefs (epistemic rationality).  Misconceptions—beliefs that are contradicted by evidence—can be a roadblock to critical thinking. When these …