tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051713021757781960.post8620239207427481939..comments2023-10-31T10:57:37.652+00:00Comments on Epiphenom: Test your knowledge on religion and healthEpiphenomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05420404206189437710noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051713021757781960.post-68115228378335576902010-07-07T13:17:24.622+01:002010-07-07T13:17:24.622+01:00In fact, I've got a "theoretical model&qu...In fact, I've got a "theoretical model" that supports correlation (in the US) between religiosity and obesity but denies causality: The "Middle America" theory.<br /><br />If you live in middle America and don't think too hard about things, you are going to be extremely religious (because everybody else is, not to mention the natural appeal of teleological explanations) and you are going to make very poor food choices (because that's what all the advertising tells you to do). <br /><br />Those who don't live here may not be fully aware of the culture of anti-intellectualism and willful ignorance that pervades great swaths of American culture. (I mean, remember, people are seriously talking about Sarah Palin as a possible presidential candidate in 2012. Think about that for a minute.) "I don't know much, but I do know my uncle ain't no monkey, and I sure do know them White Castle burgers taste mighty good."<br /><br />Hey, it's a stereotype, but it's one we encounter every day in the US. So there's my theoretical model.James Sweethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17212877636980569324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051713021757781960.post-68157876872787463202010-07-07T01:29:28.954+01:002010-07-07T01:29:28.954+01:00This is a comment so I can follow comments !This is a comment so I can follow comments !Sabio Lantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12963476276106907984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051713021757781960.post-72789204906999331932010-07-07T01:29:28.955+01:002010-07-07T01:29:28.955+01:00Thanx Tom
Yes, I was away of the good theoretical ...Thanx Tom<br />Yes, I was away of the good theoretical model issue -- I guess it is hard to write caveats when writing this stuff. Maybe you should have a "Caveat Abbreviation Page" so you can short-hand with Abbreviations. Kind of like I was pushing for in <a href="http://triangulations.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/a-fictitious-jesus-salawat/" rel="nofollow">my Salawat post</a>.<br /><br />Thank you for the thoughts.Sabio Lantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12963476276106907984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051713021757781960.post-68147784938860927532010-07-06T21:42:52.891+01:002010-07-06T21:42:52.891+01:00If you've got a theoretical model, and find a ...If you've got a theoretical model, and find a correlation where you expected it, then that adds weight it's true. But the problem with most of this stuff is that there are good theoretical reasons to expect causation in either way.<br /><br />For example, obese people may face a lot of rejection, and so they go to church to find a non-judgemental group of friends.<br /><br />I don't know of any studies that tried to increase positive emotions and see the health effect. But there is a lot of evidence that stress can make things worse. Just this week there was new analysis showing that high anxiety in early years increases your risk of heart disease in later life.Epiphenomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05420404206189437710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1051713021757781960.post-18579891797944767252010-07-06T11:10:01.712+01:002010-07-06T11:10:01.712+01:00Causation vs. Correlation
Yes, got it.
It will not...Causation vs. Correlation<br />Yes, got it.<br />It will not prove, but could add weight to a intelligent model, no? Implying "Proof" is wrong, of course, but denying weight without saying why is defensive, no?<br /><br />Are there any studies trying to tease out if mustering up the emotions of healing can improve healing?Sabio Lantzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12963476276106907984noreply@blogger.com