Americans Against Fraudulent Self-Help
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RESEARCH
Dr. John C. Norcross, et al - University of Scranton (ABSTRACT)
In the context of intense interest in evidence-based practice (EBP), the authors sought to establish consensus on discredited psychological treatments and assessments using Delphi methodology. A panel of 101 experts participated in a 2-stage survey, reporting familiarity with 59 treatments and 30 assessment techniques and rating these on a continuum from not at all discredited to certainly discredited.
The authors report their composite findings as well as significant differences that occurred as a function of the experts’ gender and theoretical orientation. The results should be interpreted carefully and humbly, but they do offer a cogent first step in consensually identifying a continuum of discredited procedures in modern mental health practice. Professional Psychology: Research & Practice © 2006 by the APA 2006, Vol. 37, No. 5, 515–522
If at First You Don’t Succeed, False Hopes of Self-Change - Dr. Janet Polivy & Dr. C. Peter Herman - University of Toronto (ABSTRACT)
Despite repeated failure at attempts to change aspects of their behavior, people make frequent attempts at self-change. The generally negative outcome of many such self-change efforts makes it difficult to understand why so many individuals persist at these attempts. The authors have described this cycle of failure and renewed effort as a “false hope syndrome” characterized by unrealistic expectations about the likely speed, amount, ease, and consequences of self-change attempts.
In this article, the authors review the reasons why so many people tend to fail in their self-change attempts and then examine how people interpret these failures in such a way that they are led to keep trying repeatedly despite apparently overwhelming odds. Finally, the authors discuss the psychological consequences of repeated failure and analyze the distinction between confidence and overconfidence.
Girls who "dish" to their friends about their problems may actually be increasing their misery by doing so.
Such are the findings of a study released Sunday, in which researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia found that "co-rumination" -- in other words, excessively discussing problems with close friends -- appears to increase anxiety and depression in young and adolescent girls. Boys of the same age, on the other hand, appeared to be immune to these effects.
Fringe Psychotherapies: The Public at Risk - Dr. Barry L. Beyerstein - Department of Psychology Simon Fraser University
Stephen Barrett, M.D. - Is a retired psychiatrist & operates Quackwatch
Has achieved national renown as an author, editor, and consumer advocate. In addition to heading Quackwatch, he is vice-president of the National Council Against Health Fraud, & a scientific advisor to the American Council on Science and Health.
