A slur against psych students

Re “Future psych majors,” editorial, Dec. 10

That American 15-year-olds score shockingly poorly in math and science compared to students in other industrialized countries is a continuing problem. That these students nonetheless think they’re on par with the best students in these fields is even more worrisome. But the title of your editorial is reckless.

Nothing in your editorial links these problems to future intentions to major in the field of psychology. You insult psychology majors and, by extension, the large number of scientifically and mathematically astute psychologists who are conducting systematic research to uncover the causes of our national knowledge gap and the origins of the self-enhancing beliefs many students hold about their accomplishments.

Ellen Greenberger

Irvine

The writer is research professor and professor emerita of psychology and social behavior at UC Irvine.

Analysts have found that the less students know about science, the more optimistic they are about overcoming global warming. It seems our teens are not bothered by their ignorance in science and math, as their self-esteem is so great. Have any similar tests been given our president?

Pollie Longthorne

Rosemead