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FACTS
AND FICTION IN PSYCHOLOGY
Dr.Krishna
Prasad Sreedhar
- Psychologists can read the minds of
others.
This is a popular myth that prevailed from
the beginning. No honest Psychologist would claim so. However, as
Psychologists are trained in observing the verbal and non verbal
behavior of people, they may be able to guess the intentions of
others more accurately than lay people.
- Psychology is an occult science.
This is absolutely untrue. On the other
hand know that Psychology is the scientific study of the
experience and behavior of living beings with a view to
understand the principles that govern these phenomenon. As in
other sciences Psychology aims at 'Prediction' and 'Control' of
behavior.
- To study Psychology, one should
have extra ordinary capabilities.
Totally untrue. Any body who is interested
in this subject can study it.
- A Psychologist can hypnotize any
body with a piercing look.
No. Never! Psychologists who are trained in
hypnosis or hypnotherapy can hypnotize others if the
patient/client is totally willing and cooperative. A mere study
of Psychology will not equip a person to hypnotize any body.
- If one can hypnotize a person you
can make him do any thing.
Sorry, never. Even under deep hypnosis a
hypnotized person will not obey if he is asked to perform
unethical actions.
- Mental illness is incurable.
Times have changed. Presently mental
illness can be treated effectively with drugs and psychotherapy
by competent Psychiatrists and Clinical psychologists.
- Mentally ill people are dangerous.
Surprisingly it has been found that
mentally ill people have lower rate of violent behaviors, such as
assault, rape and homicide than those in the general population.
Nevertheless, people with Paranoid disorder (suspicion that
others are plotting against them) may assault others to protect
themselves.
- Genius is 'akin to insanity'.
No such relationship has been found in
experimental studies. On the other hand some major studies have
shown that people who had IQs 140 or above (bordering on genius)
when reassessed in their mid-forties showed that their death
rate, divorce rate, and mental illness rate were all lower than
those for the general population. It is concluded that it is a
myth to believe that creativity and genius are 'akin to
insanity'.
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