Tomasz Witkowski's book is an intense blast aimed at the comfortable notion that culture is about building a shared, truthful vision of the world. It does a great service to those of us who still cling to the hope that truth will win eventually and aspire to move things in that direction.
Prof. Roy Baumeister, Florida State University, author of The Self Explained: Why and How We Become Who We Are
Tomasz Witkowski is a chronicler of the good and bad in psychology. His previous book Shaping Psychology, emphasized the good. Fads, Fakes and Frauds turns to the dark side, discussing how dogma shaped by past or present authorities is accepted unquestioned by the field, as well as difficulties with replication, and other important issues that psychology is struggling with. The short, beautifully written essays are filled with contemporary examples and contextualized by relevant historical facts. Fads, Fakes and Frauds provides an important perspective on the field, and should especially help young psychologists, still untainted by tradition, find their way.
Prof. Joseph LeDoux, New York University, author of The Deep History of Ourselves: The Four-Billion-Year Story of How We Got Conscious Brains
People want to understand themselves and their purpose. The need for meaning creates opportunity for one's desires or good salesmanship to dominate over the truth. In this provocative book, Tomasz Witkowski illuminates the struggle between science and pseudoscience, particularly in the search for meaning and well-being. Witkowski leans into challenging topics like victimhood, suicide, and false accusations with literary force and a clear desire to pursue the evidence wherever it leads. His critical eye even confronts science as an institution, the ostensible counterweight to pseudoscience, as vulnerable to similar biases. Finding the truth, it seems, is not a matter of deciding which sources to trust, but of embracing a process of skepticism and evidence-seeking that is always willing to revise understanding, even of our most treasured beliefs.
Prof. Brian A. Nosek, University of Virginia, co-founder and director of the Center for Open Science
You might not agree with every example provided by the innovative psychologist, Tomasz Witkowski, about how falsehoods have invaded our collective consciousness. But you will find his writing lively and provocative. Our widespread tendency to embrace fads, fakes, and frauds, can be damaging to large segments of our society - both those who are directly affected, and their heartbroken loved ones. Hopefully his pleas for more critical thinking will be heeded.
Prof. Elizabeth F. Loftus, University of California, Irvine, author of The Myth of Repressed Memory
You may not agree with everything Witkowski says, but you would do well to follow his example and question everything you have been taught. Ideas that everyone assumes are true may not be. He asks for evidence, and he provides references. He writes well, tells good stories, and offers examples that will make you think. Readers will be challenged and may be provoked to change their minds about things they once took for granted. Prepare to have your apple cart upset; you may need to pick up some apples.
Harriet Hall, MD, The SkepDoc, author of Women Aren't Supposed to Fly
Although I occasionally disagree with Tomasz Witkowski I whole heartedly embrace his take on psychology. His actions of scientific self-scrutinizing and straight forward skepticism is not only necessary for our field, it´s a breath of fresh air.
Teddy Winroth, licensed psychologist
