Thursday 4 April 2013

Panda Bears and Flowers / Clever Hans

Yep, it happened again, I murdered another plush toy to make a cute bag out of it.

Inappropriate-guilty-feelings aside, I am actually so happy with this panda bear backpack. And I bought him for $3 from an op shop (yes, it's a male panda bear), so at least there were no sentimental attachments there. If you missed it the first time around, I wrote up some instructions on how to make a DIY plush toy bag here. The only difference with this one is that I added two straps (thrifted belts) instead of one!
My pretty floral blouse & red skirt are both from Sheinside! Many thanks to Sheinside for providing them to style!

blouse - c/o Sheinside
skirt - c/o Sheinside
shoes - c/o Yes Walker
bag - DIY
hat - c/o Wholesale

If you're a casual reader of science stories (or have joined IFLS on facebook) you may have heard people talking about "blinding", or that an experiment was not reliable because it wasn't "blinded" or even "double-blinded". You may have thought, what on earth does "blinding" mean and more importantly, how on earth does anyone know what's happening if no one can see what's going on??

Well "blinding" is one of the most important concepts to science. Human beings, clever as we may be, are unfortunately very susceptible to something called bias - that is, seeing what you want to believe.

That's where the story of Clever Hans comes in. Clever Hans was the name of a horse who lived in the early 1900s. His owner claimed that Clever Hans could not only count, but could also do complex maths problems and understand German. His owner would ask him questions, and Clever Hans would answer by tapping his foot. His owner paraded his horse around Germany, showing off his apparent skills.
Clever Hans performing in the 1900s in Germany. Also check out all them boater hats - I'd be so trendy if I were to go back to 1906 ;) (Image source)
Clever Hans was investigated by veterinarians and teachers. They removed the audience to make sure Clever Hans wasn't getting cues from them, and they even used different questioners (other than the horse's owner) to rule out the possibility of fraud.
Then they made a realisation - if the person asking the questions knew the answer to the questions, then Clever Hans would get the right answer 89% of the time. But if the person asking the questions didn't know the answers themselves, Clever Hans was only right 6% of the time.

It seemed that Clever Hans was clever in a way, although he didn't know how to count or do maths - he had learnt to tap his foot whenever the questioner expected the horse to tap its foot. Take away the expectations of the questioner, and the horse had no idea.

This was a very important observation for science and where the idea of "double blinding" comes from. Now scientists make sure, especially in fields where animals or humans are being measured, that not only does the participant not know what condition they are in, but the experimenter is also "blind" to the conditions of the experiment as well. Only at the end of the experiment, when all the tests have been done, are both the subject and experimenter allowed to know what was really going on. And that's your neat science fact of the day.







p.s. I announced another giveaway earlier today! Enter here if you haven't already.

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31 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. You look so pretty! I have a question, do you wear shorts under the skirt? and if so, what kind? I'm trying to make short skirts work for me and to feel comfortable... :)

    http://asoftspotfor.blogspot.co.il/

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    1. nooo heheh but it was actually quite a problem yesterday when it was windy. These short circle skirts blow upwards so easily. I tend to wear thick tights under them though, when I'm spending a whole day out, and that serves the same kind of purpose (at least I'm not flashing anyone my undies). There are these tight bike-type (often with lace on them) shorts that you can buy specifically for wearing under skirts BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THEY ARE CALLED ARGH.

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    2. They're just like spandex shorts... If i remember the name I'll let you know ;)

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    3. Awesome, thank you you're great, here have a cat! ---> :3

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  3. I've heard of Clever Hans but I'd never known the answer to his story :P thanks for enlightening

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  4. I have to admit, you look lovely with a long-haired wig but you're twice as cute with your natural hair ^^

    I love the burgundy in the entire outfit :)

    have a nice day! x

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    1. Aw wow, thank you. I still don't feel super confident with my short hair, so that's such a nice thing to say :)

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  5. I would just like to thank you for all your links and science facts. I've always been interested in science, but instead i'm studying the humanities. These little facts and briefs, and all the links you have posted here help me get my dosage of science, Although at times I crave to learn more. Actually, because of you, I am now an addicted reader of science news, which, lets face it, is much better then any other medium for news. It avoids the depressing news and focuses on what good is happening because of science.

    I've also been trying to talk about science on my university radio show, usually summarizing from science news and here.

    Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks.

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    1. This makes me so so happy!!!! I feel like I have succeeded as a self-appointed science communicator. Thank you so much for leaving this comment! What is your uni radio show? I love that you're putting science bits onto it, woooo hooo!

      (And also, I agree. Before I was into science I an avid reader of political news, and I'm a lot less depressed about the world now I focus more on science haha)

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  6. dude... awesome. u defs in my top 5

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  7. Adorable shirt!:)
    hope to see you in your short hair more often because it's so cute and refreshing!

    toinfinitynbeyond13.blogspot.hk

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  8. The cuteness! The backpack is awesome, nice job!

    Hugs,
    The Hearabouts

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  9. You look awesome just like the girl from Moomin going to a walk<3
    http://coeursdefoxes.blogspot.com/

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  10. What a lovely outfit! And thank you for yet another interesting science fact, I always love reading the science bits on your journal ^_^

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  11. Your outfits are always amazing!
    And that's so cool, I never knew the origin of double blind tests! Once my Dad and I actually set up a double blind experiment to see if we preferred Pepsi or Coke. I know you're on the edge of your seat here... Pepsi won.

    Rachel

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  12. Love the outfit, first of all! Sooo cute. And those socks!!! :) Secondly, the facts about Clever Hans are SO interesting. I've probably mentioned this, but I'm super interested in psychology like this, and the double blind information makes a lot of sense. Thanks for sharing!

    xox Sammi
    www.thesoubrettebrunette.blogspot.com

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  13. Wow, cute outfit! Your style is exactly the kind of style I would like to have. I'm working towards it, slowly but surely, but now I've found your wonderful site I'll have more than enough inspiration!

    Hebe x

    http://www.cagedbirds-freed.blogspot.com

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  14. I love this outfit, especially the socks and shoes. Also what a neat science fact, now I will know what they are talking about if an experiment was "blinded."

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  15. Stuffed animal murder for fashion? I'm for it! HAHA

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  16. I really want a cat bag now (Also I love your socks)

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  17. Such a cute outfit, I've been looking for a boater hat for years
    Unfortunately I have a massive head XD

    http://beautyandlefreak.blogspot.co.uk/

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  18. I am loving your bob right row. I am continuing urges to cut my hair into a bob and dye it pastel pink. This i wouldn't be able to do until the end of the year due to school rules. Actually, I was wanting to ask your advice on this, as it would involve a lot of bleaching to my hair. Do you think it was worth it? Or just avoid the damage. Anyway, I lurve your panda bag, so cute. I have a "crafternoon" coming up with friends and might just attempt this. SOrry for the ramble :D

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  19. I loved the Clever Hans story (and the panda bag is adorable btw). I love that your blog is about two of my favourite things: science AND fashion
    <3
    Love ya

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  20. I have a skirt like this too and it's so versatile! I love yours paired with the adorable floral button-down top.

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  21. Oh man that's where the placebo comes in effect in medicinal trials! No way. Still amazed by how much I learn from you and how much I'd love to steal that and your outfits. The skirt especially here. ^_^


    zuleyb.blogspot.com

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    1. I actually think there's another story to the start of the use of placebos (which I'll have to write about as well!) but you're almost right - this is kind of like "placeboing" the experimenter though, so they don't know whether the PATIENT has a placebo or the active drug, for example.
      Thanks so much and I'm glad you find my posts so interesting! :D

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