Final answer:
The answer is b) Challenge, accept. An educated consumer of psychological science must adopt a questioning attitude, challenging research findings while being open to accepting beliefs that withstand scrutiny. This reflects key components of the scientific method and dialectic approach, which prevent confirmation bias.
Step-by-step explanation:
An educated consumer of psychological science must be willing to challenge research findings and accept their beliefs. The correct answer is b) Challenge, accept. This mindset is crucial because it embodies the scientific method's principles of skepticism and openness to new information. In psychological science, as in all science, it's important to critically analyze information, recognize the potential for confirmation bias, and understand that scientific knowledge is cumulative and often provisional.
Falsifiability and the repeatability of experiments are key elements that separate scientific knowledge from opinion or belief. By challenging findings, consumers of science ensure that the conclusions drawn are robust and reliable. When findings withstand rigorous examination and challenge, it becomes reasonable to accept them tentatively as part of the current understanding within the discipline.
This process is well encapsulated by the approach termed the dialectic method, which involves examining and testing different perspectives. This continual process of testing hypotheses, evaluating evidence, and revising beliefs accordingly is fundamental to scientific progress and helps prevent dogmatism in science.