ABC Radio
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Does self-help ... help? The problem with pop psychology
Does self-help ... help? The problem with pop psychology
Does self-help ... help? The problem with pop psychology
Saturday 12th June 2021
Explore the effectiveness of self-help books and pop psychology with insights from experts on their real impact.
29 minutes
Informative
Eye-opening
Honest
Engaging
Encouraging
About this podcast
Author:
ABC Radio
Overview:
Categories:
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Mindful Recovery
Sexual Stigmas & Myths
Mindfulness & Technology in Health
Parenting & Children
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Episodes:
502 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!The Self-Help Conundrum: Pop Psychology's Promises and Pitfalls
Episode Overview
- Self-help books often lack strong scientific backing.
- Power posing gained popularity but faced research challenges.
- Grit is similar to conscientiousness, not a unique predictor.
- Media plays a significant role in popularising psychological fads.
- Replication is becoming crucial in validating psychological studies.
Whenever you have someone who's claiming 100% success rates to following their program, you know you're in trouble.
Ever wondered if self-help books really make a difference? This episode of 'All In The Mind' tackles the tricky terrain of pop psychology and its promises. Hosted by Sana Kadar, it delves into the rise and fall of popular psychological concepts like power posing and grit. Science writer Jesse Singel and psychology professor Nick Haslam join the conversation, dissecting why these ideas often gain traction despite shaky research foundations.
Jesse discusses how the allure of quick fixes can overshadow complex societal issues, while Nick highlights the distinction between genuine self-help and misleading pop psychology. The episode also explores the role of media in perpetuating these fads and how replication in scientific research is slowly catching up to correct past errors. With a mix of humour and honesty, listeners are prompted to question the reliability of self-help trends and the responsibility of both academics and journalists in shaping public perception.
As you tune in, consider whether these self-help strategies are more about boosting self-esteem or simply boosting sales. Are we too quick to buy into ideas that promise easy solutions? Dive into this insightful discussion and see if you can spot the real gems among the rubble.