PSYCHOMYTHOLOGY- Series on Popular Myths about Psychology- 1

The popular psychology industry can be an invaluable resource for information about human behavior, it contains at least as much misinformation as information (Stanovich, 2007; Uttal, 2003).

This vast body of misinformation is refered to as psychomythology because it consists of misconceptions, urban legends, and old wives’ tales regarding psychology.

One reason we’re easily seduced by PSYCHOMYTHOLOGY is that it resonates with our common sense: our gut feelings, intuitions, and first impressions.

All of you may have heard or feel that most psychology is “just common sense” (Furnham, 1983; Houston, 1985; Murphy, 1990).As a general rule, you should consult research evidence, not your intuitions, when deciding whether a scientific claim is correct.

Psychological myths can be harmful and can cause indirect damage to an individual, family and the society at large.

For eg. Lets say person A has a psychological condition –say depression (Here I must say that sadness isn’t depression, there are many criteria to it which we will cover later, so fret not guys) which mandates treatment. Often due to the myths and stigma associated with this field people often stall their visit to a psychiatrist/ psychologist. For fears of

“what will others think”

“will I be put on medication?”

“After all its just talk, I could do that with a friend and save the money!”

“Does seeing a shrink mean that I could be crazy?”

Because of all these and many more doubts people stall till things go out of hand. I have just one thought for all- What creates doubt? A lack of knowledge. So get equipped with it, Know what is psychology, what can you expect out of a visit to a psychologist/psychiatrist, know your rights guys, so that you can use them, and help others who need them as well.

All said on Request I’m going do a series on popular myths about psychology. And here goes nothing-

MYTH 1. Psychologists can do ‘mind reading’

The most popular question i have been asked. due to this very reason when people hear that i’m a psychologist I sure can ‘MIND READ’ their next question, it obviously being-

“Can you read my mind?”

The really bossy ones even demand- “Come on- lets check whether you are a psychologist- read my mind!”

Quite cliche i must say. Don’t be disheartened guys cause before i joined for the course even i had the pretty same misconceptions. Blame the media, pop psych books.etc for construing our perfect minds 😛

Psychology simply put is often understood as the study of mind. And thus the secondary assumption that people who study it can read minds!

Technically Psychology is the ‘science of behavior’ since mind could not be defined and studied objectively. So rest assured mind reading is NOT a part of Psychology at all. Over the years of training and experience psychologists do however become more adept than regular people at understanding and connecting behavioral cues (clues) that one often expresses- be it verbal (whatever YOU talk about) or non – verbal (like you facial expressions, body language, how you interact with others etc).

And as I mentioned before psychology is a science. Thus a professional psychologist is simply put a scientist who tests proves/disproves certain hypothesis (assumptions that is subject to testing) that he may generate after periods/sessions of observation/interview/testing.

Often in therapy when a therapist feels that a particular hypothesis might be true he/she often discusses it with the client and confirm/reject it. That’s how things work in this age! People who claim otherwise are not professionals’ and they are unfortunately living in the dark ages and may even pull us all into it. They are quacks here to mislead you.

And the very fact that everyone knows so little about this field due to the misconceptions surrounding it, makes their job pretty easy my friends.

So in short can I (or any professional psychologist) read your mind?

NO, I’m a clinical psychologist not a PSYCHIC! (more on psychics in the coming posts)

Reference-

50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology: Shattering Widespread Misconceptions about Human Behavior, 2009, by Scott O. Lilienfeld, Steven Jay Lynn, John Ruscio, Barry L. Beyerstein.

Source of questions/myths- from the experience of my friends and myself.

#Myths #Psychology #Psychomythology