Psycho-Babble Psychology Thread 770680

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In defense of layman's psych self-help books

Posted by slugdoo on July 20, 2007, at 5:33:28

There is something that bothers me about the "professional" attitude when it comes to books written to help individuals. I encounter this with profs and T's themselves.
They seem to put down such books, even if they are written by psychologists. They say well these people are just making money off the work that researchers have done,and watering down the info, or not giving the complete info, etc.
Well I see their point, the official journals would be more accurate. But after trying to read many journals, I am thinking WTF.

Sure one journal will tell you what one researchers found out, but to cover one subject, many journals would need to be read. Plus not all researchers are unbiased either.

So I think it is good to have layman's books since people are more likely to read them (self help) than journals. If it will help some, it is better than helping nobody. Readers do need to keep in mind what they are reading isn't the only answer to their problems, but that should be evident due to the many self help books out there.
I guess it just bothers me when profs put down books because they don't have 10 pages of references in the back. Even the books with all tee references in back, can be very much biased in the subject.
There can be books written by a lot of lemons, but there can also be lemon researchers. Oh, boy do my prof. love me. LOL

 

;-) They proly DO like you! Your interesting! (nm) » slugdoo

Posted by muffled on July 20, 2007, at 10:22:13

In reply to In defense of layman's psych self-help books, posted by slugdoo on July 20, 2007, at 5:33:28

 

Re: ;-) They proly DO like you! Your interesting! » muffled

Posted by Happyflower on July 20, 2007, at 11:26:44

In reply to ;-) They proly DO like you! Your interesting! (nm) » slugdoo, posted by muffled on July 20, 2007, at 10:22:13

I meant that as a joke! lol I think I might have the potential to drive them nuts! ;-) But they were half there anyways!

 

Please follow board guidelines » Happyflower

Posted by Deputy Racer on July 20, 2007, at 12:48:16

In reply to Re: ;-) They proly DO like you! Your interesting! » muffled, posted by Happyflower on July 20, 2007, at 11:26:44

The board guidelines clearly state that only one posting name should be used at any one time. Please limit yourself to one name.

If you have any questions about this, please read the FAQ, at http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#names Any follow ups to this should be directed to the Administration board, and should themselves be civil.

Dr Bob has ultimate authority over all administrative actions on this site, and may choose to reverse or revise any action taken by a deputy.

Deputy Racer

 

Re: Please follow board guidelines » Deputy Racer

Posted by slugdoo on July 20, 2007, at 14:16:04

In reply to Please follow board guidelines » Happyflower, posted by Deputy Racer on July 20, 2007, at 12:48:16

Opps sorry, I didn't even realize it was my old old name. Yikes, I didn't want my new name tied to my old name, dang. grrrr......
I am certainly NOT a happyflower that is for sure.

How did that happen anyways? Weird

 

Re: In defense of layman's psych self-help books » slugdoo

Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on July 20, 2007, at 17:38:50

In reply to In defense of layman's psych self-help books, posted by slugdoo on July 20, 2007, at 5:33:28

doo,
I think you're right on so many levels. The trick is to find a readable book by an unbiased authority on some subject. Good LUCK with THAT!

I read all kinds of books. Self help books give me ideas that I try out myself. If it works, keep it. If it's a waste of time, toss it. Sometimes they give me ideas of what to talk about in therapy. My T's have even recommended several books for me to read. I've read and done exercises from "Radical Acceptance" "Thoughts and Feelings" and read a book on facing fear "when things fall apart" that has really helped me deal with pain and terror. If a book doesn't strike a chord with me, I try to return it to borders. tell them that it's filled with false advertising haha. joking. I usually just keep it on my shelf to look pompous. And I'd never buy a book from Phil McGraw. He's got too much money and perhaps even pays people to put a pile of notes together into a book.

As far as lemon researchers go. Test of time. Peer-reviewed publications and replication of results. One study is not "proof" of anything. I just like a good discussion of various theories, myself. I'd never read an article to make me feel better. They are usually too focused or too empirical for the layperson to make practical sense out of.

-Ll

-Ll


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