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A review by sarahrigg
50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology: Shattering Widespread Misconceptions about Human Behavior by Steven Jay Lynn, John Ruscio, Scott O. Lilienfeld
4.0
Five of the debunked myths:
1. Most people use only 10 percent of their brain power. I thought this had been thoroughly debunked for quite some time, but I still see it pop up on the 'net and in self-help books.
2. The Polygraph ("lie detector") Test is an accurate means of detecting dishonesty. It's interesting that the government has banned its use in most workplaces but still uses this next-to-useless test on some government employees...
3. It's better to express anger to others than to hold it in. SO not true. Expressing anger, whether verbally or by punching a pillow, generally makes you angrier and more aggressive.
4. There's recently been a massive epidemic of infantile autism. Also, not true. Diagnostics have gotten better, more autism is being *reported* and diagnostic criteria has loosened over the years, but there's no epidemic. Related, I wish the conspiracy theorists who link vaccines and autism would take a long walk off a short pier.
5. Abstinence is the only realistic treatment goal for alcoholics. There's a lot of evidence that many people -- particularly ones with shorter-lived and milder alcohol problems -- can learn "controlled drinking."
The book debunks 50 myths in detail and then lists 200 more briefly. Additionally, it includes several "weird but true" facts about psychology and neuroscience, and that bit was fun, too. Recommended.
1. Most people use only 10 percent of their brain power. I thought this had been thoroughly debunked for quite some time, but I still see it pop up on the 'net and in self-help books.
2. The Polygraph ("lie detector") Test is an accurate means of detecting dishonesty. It's interesting that the government has banned its use in most workplaces but still uses this next-to-useless test on some government employees...
3. It's better to express anger to others than to hold it in. SO not true. Expressing anger, whether verbally or by punching a pillow, generally makes you angrier and more aggressive.
4. There's recently been a massive epidemic of infantile autism. Also, not true. Diagnostics have gotten better, more autism is being *reported* and diagnostic criteria has loosened over the years, but there's no epidemic. Related, I wish the conspiracy theorists who link vaccines and autism would take a long walk off a short pier.
5. Abstinence is the only realistic treatment goal for alcoholics. There's a lot of evidence that many people -- particularly ones with shorter-lived and milder alcohol problems -- can learn "controlled drinking."
The book debunks 50 myths in detail and then lists 200 more briefly. Additionally, it includes several "weird but true" facts about psychology and neuroscience, and that bit was fun, too. Recommended.