[necovek]

While one can see obvious issues with many studies, and especially with media reporting on those studies, there is one obvious proof that at least some of that research works.

Basically, dark web patterns, click-bait titles, reality shows, constant influx of targetted information DOES seem to keep users clicking and coming back. I like to call (most of) marketing immoral application of psychologic results: abuse of the worst patterns of human behaviour for commercial gain.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Now again, most of it is obvious babble that's just statistical play, but it's similarly true that some research really translates to reality.

[sheperd209]

So does sales techniques.

I bet there are lots of salesmen who are effective without a psychology degree. Yet one would not call an effective salesman a scientist.

I'm just continuing to play the devil's advocate here, appreciate your input :)

[necovek]

Sure, a lot of the scientific findings are frequently established before they are formally verified/repeated (and even in "proper" science, it's common to have a hypothesis that you set out to prove) and people can practice them without having any scientific background too.

That is exactly what I think makes something a scientific success: ability to apply the findings without understanding the nitty-gritty.

Sales is definitely a success of applying psychological results too: consumerism is the definition of the current age (in Western hemisphere, at least) mostly because we are driven to consume to the extent we are.

Of course, it's important to remember that psychology, just like most social sciences, is statistics-based, thus none of the results apply on small numbers and especially not on an individual.