Vignette #1 You and Your Friend Karen Are Having Lunch

question 58

Multiple Choice

Vignette #1 You and your friend Karen are having lunch out and you order an iced tea. She sees you reach for the pink packet of Sweet 'N Low. Karen stops your hand and says, "Don't you know that stuff is bad for you? I read it causes cancer, and I also know people who say that Equal artificial sweetener gives them headaches." As your conversation continues, let's show Karen how well informed you are concerning artificial sweeteners by answering the following questions: Although some studies in the past may have found that saccharin can cause bladder cancer in lab rats, why would it be considered safe today to continue using it?

• A) The research used extremely high doses of saccharin that are not relevant for humans.
• B) What occurs in rats might not occur in humans.
• C) The American Medical Association's Council on Scientific Affairs has stated that saccharin is not associated with increased risk of bladder cancer.
• D) There are known hazards that are more important to avoid if you want to reduce your risk of cancer.
• E) All of the above are valid comments.

---

Definitions:

Modern Psychologists

Psychologists who practice and contribute to the field of psychology using contemporary theories, methods, and research findings.

Empirical Evidence

Information acquired by observation or experimentation that is used to validate theories or hypotheses.

Anecdotes

Short, amusing or interesting stories about a real incident or person.

Phrenology

A now-discredited theory that suggested the bumps on the skull could predict mental traits and character traits, popular in the 19th century.