What do you think?
Rate this book
ثرثرة نفسية: نسف خرافات جيل المساعدة الذاتية
لقد أصبحت أدبيات مساعدة الذات والمؤلفات وورش العمل التي تقيمها مجال عمل كبير جداً, وأصبحت تؤثر على حياتنا تأثيراً كبيراً, سواءً أدركنا هذا أم لم ندركه.
بعد عشرات السنوات من النمو المتواصل في كتابات وأدبيات مساعدة الذات, أصبح معظم الناس يعتقدون اعتقاداً راسخاً أنهم ينبغي أن يفعلوا المزيد, ويصبحوا أفضل مما هم عليه, ويتوقعوا المزيد. ومع ذلك, فالبشر حالياً أقل سعادة من أي وقتٍ في التاريخ; وهو ما يجعلنا نتساءل إن كان مجال مساعدة الذات يحقق ما يعد به فعلاً أم يصيبنا بنقيض ما يعدنا به. هل كل ما فعلته كتب مساعدة الذات هو إفساد عقولنا؟
يبدو أننا فقدنا -خلال سعينا لتحقيق المزيد من الثقة بالنفس, والسعادة,والثروة, والجاذبية,والنتجاح- قدرتنا على التقييم النقدي لما يُقدَّم لنا; فالحقيقة أن الكثير من "الحقائق الراسخة" في مجال مساعدة الذات لا تقوم على ركائز علمية, بل إن هناك قدراً من الأدلة العلمية تؤكد عدم جدواها.
ويحاول الدكتور "ستيفن برايرز" في هذا الكتاب -الذي يمثل وقفة قوية للتفكير- إلقاء نظرة فاحصة على التطبيق الاعتباطي لعلم النفس على مجالات الحياة اليومية, عارضاً الحقائق العلمية التي تجاهلتها أدبيات مساعدة الذات, ومتسائلاً إن كانت النصائح والتكتيكات التي تقدمها هذه الأدبيات -ويُفترض أنها تحررنا- هي ما يفرض القيود على حياتنا فعلاً.
هذا الكتاب يحررنا من العبء الثقيل لتوقعاتنا غير الواقعية, ويوضح لنا برفق أن ثمة أشياء لا يمكننا التخلص منها; ولذلك علينا تحملها, إنه يحررنا بتأكيده أننا كبشر -دون كتب مساعدة الذات- قد نكون جيدين بما يكفي.
بعد عشرات السنوات من النمو المتواصل في كتابات وأدبيات مساعدة الذات, أصبح معظم الناس يعتقدون اعتقاداً راسخاً أنهم ينبغي أن يفعلوا المزيد, ويصبحوا أفضل مما هم عليه, ويتوقعوا المزيد. ومع ذلك, فالبشر حالياً أقل سعادة من أي وقتٍ في التاريخ; وهو ما يجعلنا نتساءل إن كان مجال مساعدة الذات يحقق ما يعد به فعلاً أم يصيبنا بنقيض ما يعدنا به. هل كل ما فعلته كتب مساعدة الذات هو إفساد عقولنا؟
يبدو أننا فقدنا -خلال سعينا لتحقيق المزيد من الثقة بالنفس, والسعادة,والثروة, والجاذبية,والنتجاح- قدرتنا على التقييم النقدي لما يُقدَّم لنا; فالحقيقة أن الكثير من "الحقائق الراسخة" في مجال مساعدة الذات لا تقوم على ركائز علمية, بل إن هناك قدراً من الأدلة العلمية تؤكد عدم جدواها.
ويحاول الدكتور "ستيفن برايرز" في هذا الكتاب -الذي يمثل وقفة قوية للتفكير- إلقاء نظرة فاحصة على التطبيق الاعتباطي لعلم النفس على مجالات الحياة اليومية, عارضاً الحقائق العلمية التي تجاهلتها أدبيات مساعدة الذات, ومتسائلاً إن كانت النصائح والتكتيكات التي تقدمها هذه الأدبيات -ويُفترض أنها تحررنا- هي ما يفرض القيود على حياتنا فعلاً.
هذا الكتاب يحررنا من العبء الثقيل لتوقعاتنا غير الواقعية, ويوضح لنا برفق أن ثمة أشياء لا يمكننا التخلص منها; ولذلك علينا تحملها, إنه يحررنا بتأكيده أننا كبشر -دون كتب مساعدة الذات- قد نكون جيدين بما يكفي.
282 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 4, 2014
Points out that lots of ideas about how to live optimally are mostly opinions.. but the author often fills out the gaps with his own opinions instead of 'hard science' (which might just not exist for most things in life).
September 9, 2014
"ربما استطاع علم النفس تقديم 'اقتراحات' بشأن ما ينجح مع بعض الناس 'لبعض الوقت'، ولكنك أنت الخبير الوحيد بكيفية أن تكون على طبيعتك. "
23 خرافة -كما يسميها د. ستيفن برايرز- راجت وأصبح الناس يرددونها ويغلفونها بالعلمية، ولكنها في واقع الأمر تحجب عن الناس حقائق مهمة وتغفل عن أمور جوهرية، وتوجه تركيز الناس توجيها أحاديا يجعلهم يؤمنون بأن مثل هذه النصائح النفسية هي بوصلة الحياة المثالية .. فينشغلون بهذه البوصلة المزعومة وينسون أن يبصروا الطريق أمامهم أو يمتحنوا البوصلة الفطرية في داخلهم !
23 خرافة -كما يسميها د. ستيفن برايرز- راجت وأصبح الناس يرددونها ويغلفونها بالعلمية، ولكنها في واقع الأمر تحجب عن الناس حقائق مهمة وتغفل عن أمور جوهرية، وتوجه تركيز الناس توجيها أحاديا يجعلهم يؤمنون بأن مثل هذه النصائح النفسية هي بوصلة الحياة المثالية .. فينشغلون بهذه البوصلة المزعومة وينسون أن يبصروا الطريق أمامهم أو يمتحنوا البوصلة الفطرية في داخلهم !
Want to Read
September 11, 2017تذكير ليس تقييم 🚫
" من اروع كتب الحديث النفسي
انصح اللي يفكر كثير ويخاف من الاسترسال في الحديث مع اشخاص او في مجلس يقرأه مفيد جداً "
" من اروع كتب الحديث النفسي
انصح اللي يفكر كثير ويخاف من الاسترسال في الحديث مع اشخاص او في مجلس يقرأه مفيد جداً "
January 9, 2021
Very agreeable content! Confirms my inner thoughts about a lot of the self-help/self-improvement industry. No doubt there's important knowledge in such fields but a lot of the books hold people back from actually doing things. Also a lot of pop-psych is replete with questionable studies and overly certain conclusions. Dr. Briers entreaty to look outside of ourselves, not be so serious, have fun and enjoy the moment seems very healthy advice.
April 10, 2023
Trudna to była lektura i ostatnie 50% przeczytałam pobieżnie. Autor od początku książki wydawał się bardzo poirytowany wszystkimi publikacjami o pozytywnej psychologii.
Przeczytałam kilka książek tego typu i rzeczywiście, nie wszystkie pozycje mi się podobały, nie wszystkie dla mnie miały sens. Gdy czytam fragment, gdzie jest napisane, że muszę powiedzieć wszechświatowi, że chciałabym pojechać na fajne wakacje to nie czekam, aż wszechświat wyśle mnie na tę wycieczkę tylko biorę sprawy w swoje ręce. Autor mówi czytelnikom, że potrzeba ciężkej pracy, żeby osiągnąć marzenia i że czasem się nie udaje mimo wszystko. Nie jest to dla mnie wielkie odkrycie. Ale warto próbować, jeśli chce się coś zmienić. Warto w to wierzyć.
Uważam, że każdy kto czyta książki o pozytywnej psychologii ma tyle rozumu, żeby nie brać wszystkich rad dosłownie i nadal wie, że są pewne granice, których nie przeskoczymy. Moim zdaniem dobrze jest przeczytać: „Możesz to zrobić! Jesteś wartościowa! Zadbaj o siebie! Świat stoi przed tobą otworem!”
Przeczytałam kilka książek tego typu i rzeczywiście, nie wszystkie pozycje mi się podobały, nie wszystkie dla mnie miały sens. Gdy czytam fragment, gdzie jest napisane, że muszę powiedzieć wszechświatowi, że chciałabym pojechać na fajne wakacje to nie czekam, aż wszechświat wyśle mnie na tę wycieczkę tylko biorę sprawy w swoje ręce. Autor mówi czytelnikom, że potrzeba ciężkej pracy, żeby osiągnąć marzenia i że czasem się nie udaje mimo wszystko. Nie jest to dla mnie wielkie odkrycie. Ale warto próbować, jeśli chce się coś zmienić. Warto w to wierzyć.
Uważam, że każdy kto czyta książki o pozytywnej psychologii ma tyle rozumu, żeby nie brać wszystkich rad dosłownie i nadal wie, że są pewne granice, których nie przeskoczymy. Moim zdaniem dobrze jest przeczytać: „Możesz to zrobić! Jesteś wartościowa! Zadbaj o siebie! Świat stoi przed tobą otworem!”
June 22, 2026
The past sixty years have been an age of intense attempts at self-improvement through lectures, counsellors and self-help books. With commercial internet arriving thirty years ago, it has only intensified through websites and YouTube gurus. We are now at the cusp of future AI products acting as gurus. This movement promises a fulfilling and happy life. Following its advice remains the single requirement. The movement has been extremely successful, judging by the multi-billion dollar industry it has created. But false expectations, wild assumptions, exaggerated promises, and oversimplifications of complex problems have also accompanied them. This book by Stephen Briers brings a sense of realism to the discussion by challenging a lot of the accepted wisdom of the self-help movement. The author is a practising clinical psychologist in Britain and challenges the pseudoscience associated with the movement and cautions us on the unrealistic expectations raised. Because we are in the ‘me generation,’ the book arrives at an opportune moment.
Stephen Briers’ central thesis is that pop psychology has taken control of our culture and has both helped and harmed us. Its success has made people feel that there are simple and elegant solutions to our complex problems at work and in our personal lives. This has made the industry dumb down the human experience so that they can encapsulate it in ‘seven habits’ or ‘eight simple rules’. The author cautions us early in the book by quoting H. L. Mencken’s warning that for every complex problem, there is a solution that is “simple, clean and wrong”. The author challenges twenty-three popular myths from self-help gurus, listing them and showing why they fall short of their claims. We shall look at some of the key myths and the author’s analysis.
“The root of all your problems is low self-esteem” is the first myth that Briers takes on. The myth asserts that poor self-esteem contributes to aggressive behavior and underachievement in the classroom and workplace. It blames low self-esteem for teenage pregnancy, obesity, and almost every undesirable or pathological behavior imaginable. However, studies referenced in the book show that self-esteem isn’t a dependable predictor of academic achievement, relationship satisfaction, or even career accomplishments. Science points out that while high self-esteem can make us feel good, it might also lead to self-deception. Briers debunks the idea that bullies lack self-esteem. According to studies, a common trait among aggressive or violent individuals is a high ego. Self-esteem does not function like a fuel tank that requires constant refilling to reach our destination. It’s often more useful to us as a barometer of progress, providing ongoing feedback about the wisdom of our choices and the validity of our actions.
The notion that positive thinking makes one successful represents another myth. Briers believes the “power of positive thinking” is often overblown, weak on science, and harmful. For example, a person with low self-esteem who affirmed to himself, “I am a lovable person”, could feel worse afterward. This occurs because their disbelief in the statements leads to a “backfire effect,” provoking opposing negative thoughts such as, “That is untrue”. Toxic positivity can lead to denial of reality because it can discourage people from acknowledging genuine problems that require action. He cites the example of people suggesting that you can ‘think away your illness, like cancer, with a positive outlook’. Briers proposes the alternative of realistic optimism. This entails accepting unchangeable facts and messy complexities, and failure as a necessary teacher. Instead of pursuing a certain positive mood, he suggests ‘being in the flow’.
Another myth is the belief that assertiveness has no upper limit. Briers does not accept this as the “gold standard” of communication. An extra-assertive attitude brings considerable social costs, damaging relationships and group-effectiveness. Peers often view very assertive individuals as less friendly and less popular. It disrupts group dynamics, resulting in a lack of compromise, cooperation, and deference to authority among group members. As everyone pursues one’s own goals, it leads to protracted power struggles that fritter away shared resources.
The book evaluates many other popular myths of pop psychology in the same vein. However, Stephen Briers is not only about criticism. He admits some works in the self-help desk are helpful and hence useful. More importantly, he tackles the question of how to tell the difference between works that are “science lite” and genuine psychological insight. This is because the industry often lacks rigorous quality control and frequently blurs the lines between opinion and reputable fact. Stephen Briers argues that the self-help industry often relies on “science lite,” which provides a veneer of scientific credibility without the rigor. While he critiques the industry for lacking quality control, he highlights several key methods to distinguish between superficial “psychobabble” and genuine psychological insight.
The primary differentiator is how a theory handles information that doesn’t fit its narrative. To offer a “simple” solution, Science Lite often disregards exceptions and bypasses contradictory evidence. It frequently enlists scientific studies to support a view without evaluating the quality of the research or the context of the data. Real science attends to exceptions and contradictions that might show a need to review or change one’s assumptions. Science Lite uses categories like “simple rules,” “five key principles,” or “seven effective habits”, etc., to dilute multifaceted human problems. Real science recognizes that human lives are idiosyncratic and socially constructed. Certain questions possess no straightforward right or wrong resolution. If a narrative centers on a “guru” figure who relies on anecdotes, personal testimony, and “infotainment” to sell a product rather than provide health information, it is Science Lite. Look for authors with academic rigor and professional standing who prioritize evidence-based strategies. Do not trust pompous promises of instant transformation, “unlimited power,” or the ability to “think away” physical illnesses like cancer. Reality often comes with incremental progress, realistic optimism, and accepting “unchangeable facts”. Binary categories like “right-brained” vs. “left-brained” or fixed percentages (like the “only 10% brain usage” myth) are red flags. Modern technology like MRI does not support these oversimplifications. Legitimate scientific inquiry shuns the use of jargon from neuroscience or linguistics unless it genuinely concerns neural components or accepted theories of language.
The book struck me as both bold and rigorous. Many favorite clichés surround today’s “me Generation”. Briers promotes critical thinking and maintaining a strong connection to reality. He emphasizes the unsettling theme of human weakness and immutable realities. It is possible to interpret the book as having a more depressing effect than an encouraging one. As evidence-based realism lacks popularity in current times, it’s vital to advocate for the foremost position of objective perception of reality. I enjoyed reading the book.
Stephen Briers’ central thesis is that pop psychology has taken control of our culture and has both helped and harmed us. Its success has made people feel that there are simple and elegant solutions to our complex problems at work and in our personal lives. This has made the industry dumb down the human experience so that they can encapsulate it in ‘seven habits’ or ‘eight simple rules’. The author cautions us early in the book by quoting H. L. Mencken’s warning that for every complex problem, there is a solution that is “simple, clean and wrong”. The author challenges twenty-three popular myths from self-help gurus, listing them and showing why they fall short of their claims. We shall look at some of the key myths and the author’s analysis.
“The root of all your problems is low self-esteem” is the first myth that Briers takes on. The myth asserts that poor self-esteem contributes to aggressive behavior and underachievement in the classroom and workplace. It blames low self-esteem for teenage pregnancy, obesity, and almost every undesirable or pathological behavior imaginable. However, studies referenced in the book show that self-esteem isn’t a dependable predictor of academic achievement, relationship satisfaction, or even career accomplishments. Science points out that while high self-esteem can make us feel good, it might also lead to self-deception. Briers debunks the idea that bullies lack self-esteem. According to studies, a common trait among aggressive or violent individuals is a high ego. Self-esteem does not function like a fuel tank that requires constant refilling to reach our destination. It’s often more useful to us as a barometer of progress, providing ongoing feedback about the wisdom of our choices and the validity of our actions.
The notion that positive thinking makes one successful represents another myth. Briers believes the “power of positive thinking” is often overblown, weak on science, and harmful. For example, a person with low self-esteem who affirmed to himself, “I am a lovable person”, could feel worse afterward. This occurs because their disbelief in the statements leads to a “backfire effect,” provoking opposing negative thoughts such as, “That is untrue”. Toxic positivity can lead to denial of reality because it can discourage people from acknowledging genuine problems that require action. He cites the example of people suggesting that you can ‘think away your illness, like cancer, with a positive outlook’. Briers proposes the alternative of realistic optimism. This entails accepting unchangeable facts and messy complexities, and failure as a necessary teacher. Instead of pursuing a certain positive mood, he suggests ‘being in the flow’.
Another myth is the belief that assertiveness has no upper limit. Briers does not accept this as the “gold standard” of communication. An extra-assertive attitude brings considerable social costs, damaging relationships and group-effectiveness. Peers often view very assertive individuals as less friendly and less popular. It disrupts group dynamics, resulting in a lack of compromise, cooperation, and deference to authority among group members. As everyone pursues one’s own goals, it leads to protracted power struggles that fritter away shared resources.
The book evaluates many other popular myths of pop psychology in the same vein. However, Stephen Briers is not only about criticism. He admits some works in the self-help desk are helpful and hence useful. More importantly, he tackles the question of how to tell the difference between works that are “science lite” and genuine psychological insight. This is because the industry often lacks rigorous quality control and frequently blurs the lines between opinion and reputable fact. Stephen Briers argues that the self-help industry often relies on “science lite,” which provides a veneer of scientific credibility without the rigor. While he critiques the industry for lacking quality control, he highlights several key methods to distinguish between superficial “psychobabble” and genuine psychological insight.
The primary differentiator is how a theory handles information that doesn’t fit its narrative. To offer a “simple” solution, Science Lite often disregards exceptions and bypasses contradictory evidence. It frequently enlists scientific studies to support a view without evaluating the quality of the research or the context of the data. Real science attends to exceptions and contradictions that might show a need to review or change one’s assumptions. Science Lite uses categories like “simple rules,” “five key principles,” or “seven effective habits”, etc., to dilute multifaceted human problems. Real science recognizes that human lives are idiosyncratic and socially constructed. Certain questions possess no straightforward right or wrong resolution. If a narrative centers on a “guru” figure who relies on anecdotes, personal testimony, and “infotainment” to sell a product rather than provide health information, it is Science Lite. Look for authors with academic rigor and professional standing who prioritize evidence-based strategies. Do not trust pompous promises of instant transformation, “unlimited power,” or the ability to “think away” physical illnesses like cancer. Reality often comes with incremental progress, realistic optimism, and accepting “unchangeable facts”. Binary categories like “right-brained” vs. “left-brained” or fixed percentages (like the “only 10% brain usage” myth) are red flags. Modern technology like MRI does not support these oversimplifications. Legitimate scientific inquiry shuns the use of jargon from neuroscience or linguistics unless it genuinely concerns neural components or accepted theories of language.
The book struck me as both bold and rigorous. Many favorite clichés surround today’s “me Generation”. Briers promotes critical thinking and maintaining a strong connection to reality. He emphasizes the unsettling theme of human weakness and immutable realities. It is possible to interpret the book as having a more depressing effect than an encouraging one. As evidence-based realism lacks popularity in current times, it’s vital to advocate for the foremost position of objective perception of reality. I enjoyed reading the book.
August 23, 2017
This book contains one clinical psychologist's perspective on 23 pervasive self-help sayings. For those who easily get hypnotized by the big promises the self-help genre makes, as I was, this book gives a more sobering approach to what we can really do to improve our lives. Through some scientific evidence, but mostly opinions, Briers makes compelling cases that show another side that I hadn't thought of myself.
For the cases of some of these 'myths', such as MYTH 13 (You'd better get yourself sorted) and MYTH 16 (There is no failure, only feedback), I strongly disagree. Not because I believe they're 'true', but because they are practical and empowering in a realistic way, which is what the self-help genre should provide one with.
Myths that were enlightening to me were MYTH 3 (Emotional intelligence is what really matters) and MYTH 11 (Your inner child needs a hug). In the case of myth 3 I bought into the idea that EQ is more important than IQ. Briers brought scientific evidence, or showed the lack thereof in Goleman's case, which made the point more nuanced to me. In the case of myth 11 I wasn't aware of the frame this saying puts one in. If you believe that there's an inner child that has been unavoidably hurt from childhood on there'll always be a rationalization that this is the root of any misery one is feeling at the moment.
All in all I liked the book. It serves as a self-help book disguised as an anti self-help book. It provided interesting tidbits of information only a professional mind-worker can know about.
For the cases of some of these 'myths', such as MYTH 13 (You'd better get yourself sorted) and MYTH 16 (There is no failure, only feedback), I strongly disagree. Not because I believe they're 'true', but because they are practical and empowering in a realistic way, which is what the self-help genre should provide one with.
Myths that were enlightening to me were MYTH 3 (Emotional intelligence is what really matters) and MYTH 11 (Your inner child needs a hug). In the case of myth 3 I bought into the idea that EQ is more important than IQ. Briers brought scientific evidence, or showed the lack thereof in Goleman's case, which made the point more nuanced to me. In the case of myth 11 I wasn't aware of the frame this saying puts one in. If you believe that there's an inner child that has been unavoidably hurt from childhood on there'll always be a rationalization that this is the root of any misery one is feeling at the moment.
All in all I liked the book. It serves as a self-help book disguised as an anti self-help book. It provided interesting tidbits of information only a professional mind-worker can know about.
May 24, 2021
كتاب جيّد في بابه وكُتب بنَفس علمي، يُعاب عليه عدم ترتيب الأفكار بشكل تسلسلي واضح
November 16, 2013
Offered new self-help after debunking the old - I wasn't sure whether to just blindly take this advice or see it as just as flawed as the old stuff - but it was a fascinating insight into how complicated our minds really are, and how ridiculously over-simplified the self-help industry has become. It helped me in a lot of ways I didn't expect: forge your own way, make mistakes, don't dwell on failures too much and good can become bad in excess. But obviously that's oversimplified...
April 9, 2013
Ironically, a book dismissing the myths of the self help industry that is probably the only self help book you need.
January 23, 2021
تقريبا الكتاب معلوماته صادمة
بالاخص اني كنت كثير اتابع للمرشدين النفسيين
واكتشفت اغلب المعتقدات ماهي الا خرراااااافه
عجييييب 🤓
بالاخص اني كنت كثير اتابع للمرشدين النفسيين
واكتشفت اغلب المعتقدات ماهي الا خرراااااافه
عجييييب 🤓
July 15, 2025
Självhjälpsböcker och böcker om ”personlig utveckling” går det tretton på dussinet av. Självklart finns det definitivt seriösa sådana, skrivna av utbildade människor med forsknings- eller praktisk erfarenhet. I denna bok hänger sig Stephen Briers åt att sticka hål på ett stort antal myter som fått fäste i den moderna självhjälpsdiskursen.
Varje kapitelrubrik nämner ett påstående som sedan dekonstrueras eller problematiseras. Något som är befriande med tanke på att det finns alldeles för många människor som försöker tjäna pengar på att slå fast kategoriska ”sanningar” som ”Emotionell intelligens är det som egentligen räknas”, ”Ingen kan tvinga dig att känna någonting”, ”Det finns inga misslyckanden, bara feedback” och ”Du har kontroll över ditt liv”.
Det är underhållande att läsa Briers avfärdanden som backas upp med hänvisningar till forskningsartiklar. Ibland tyckte jag att Briers motsäger sig: i ett kapitel ondgör han sig över flitigt användande av mindfulnessövningar, för att i ett senare kapitel nämna att mindfulness har visat sig ge goda effekter. Men när jag läst klart boken inser jag att det här är ett av bokens budskap: att luta sig enbart mot en metod eller förklaringsmodell är kortsiktigt och intellektuellt ohederligt, då såväl människor som psykologi är komplexa företeelser. Alla problem kan inte avhjälpas med KBT, det betyder dock inte att det är en värdelös metod.
Verkligheten är mer komplicerad än så.
Varje kapitelrubrik nämner ett påstående som sedan dekonstrueras eller problematiseras. Något som är befriande med tanke på att det finns alldeles för många människor som försöker tjäna pengar på att slå fast kategoriska ”sanningar” som ”Emotionell intelligens är det som egentligen räknas”, ”Ingen kan tvinga dig att känna någonting”, ”Det finns inga misslyckanden, bara feedback” och ”Du har kontroll över ditt liv”.
Det är underhållande att läsa Briers avfärdanden som backas upp med hänvisningar till forskningsartiklar. Ibland tyckte jag att Briers motsäger sig: i ett kapitel ondgör han sig över flitigt användande av mindfulnessövningar, för att i ett senare kapitel nämna att mindfulness har visat sig ge goda effekter. Men när jag läst klart boken inser jag att det här är ett av bokens budskap: att luta sig enbart mot en metod eller förklaringsmodell är kortsiktigt och intellektuellt ohederligt, då såväl människor som psykologi är komplexa företeelser. Alla problem kan inte avhjälpas med KBT, det betyder dock inte att det är en värdelös metod.
Verkligheten är mer komplicerad än så.
January 9, 2019
I understood a lot of this book and what it offers. While there is not a lot of scientific evidence to support Brier's claims, at least there is enough, at least in my opinion, scientific evidence being used and not the word of a big shot "self-help guru" who expects us to take his/her word for it. This book shows us that in life there are no shortcuts, not everything is sunshine and rainbows (perky is annoying as f*** anyway), and that even as a work in progress, you are where you need to be regardless of what wannabe "experts" (at least Briers has credentials) say or want us to do. To me, anything that makes you want to improve yourself is just another way of saying there is something wrong with you. And that is very damaging to the mind. I agree with Briers that the self-help craze needs to stop. If it really worked, we would all be billionares, now wouldn't we?
February 25, 2020
Very enjoyable read. I was already familiar with most of the counter arguments, but it was good to get a reminder.
I would recommend this to so many people... But I bet few will change their minds, because the allure of self-help, with its easy and straight forward solutions, offers a hard to give up on comfort.
Too bad life is not easy or straight forward.
I would recommend this to so many people... But I bet few will change their minds, because the allure of self-help, with its easy and straight forward solutions, offers a hard to give up on comfort.
Too bad life is not easy or straight forward.
November 1, 2018
The premise of book is shooting down various ideas and teaching in applied psychology. Well, criticising is a cheap entertainment, but at least this book is reasonably scientific. Don't expect to find answers here though, it's all about multiplying your questions.
April 9, 2021
While I agree with the basic thrust of the book, Briers is at times himself a bit pschobabbly, quoting studies whose findings seems questionable at best. In general, highlights the limits of self-help and the limits of psychology as a science.
February 25, 2024
Ważne, żeby nie potraktować tej książki, jako ostateczną wyrocznię, ale zawiera wiele cennych spostrzeżeń. W popkulturze terapii, w której tonie coraz więcej osób, myślę, że to cenna przeciwwaga, choć nie zawsze się zgadzam z autorem :).
November 16, 2025
This guy is a real prick. Criticizing left and right. Thought it would be a good read, nope. Some interesting points.
Read
November 27, 2025dystopian
استفت قلبك you know
myths debunked negative passive
+- appropriate
استفت قلبك you know
myths debunked negative passive
+- appropriate
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2013
Dr Stephen Briers is a British clinical psychologist who has taken a good long hard look at the self help industry and blown it apart. His argument is that the various self help philosophies are making us anxious. Anxious that how we are now is just not good enough, that we should be striving for perfection, that if we just visualise things hard enough we can all be rich and famous and that we all have needs that 'need' to be met by our partners. Not only are these self help myths making us anxious and disappointed, for the most part there is no scientific evidence to back up their claims.
Briers urges us, in his very readable and entertaining book, to stop and think and that maybe we aren't that bad after all.
Briers urges us, in his very readable and entertaining book, to stop and think and that maybe we aren't that bad after all.
April 3, 2016
The self-help industry is a big business. This industry is exploitive, it usually overpromise and under deliver. The author does a good job debunking the myths of this industry.
We've all hear some stories about cancer patients who, by visualizing imploding malignant cells, find themselves tumor-free. However, according to studies, psychotherapy and meditation don't affect the disease progression or survival rates. Studies show that a patient's chances of recovery are completely unaffected by the mood or attitude.
"Positive thinking, while not inherently bad, isn't always healthy, helpful or rational. Sometimes it's the grumpy pessimist who is more realistic than all those Pollyannas (an excessively or blindly optimistic person) out there."
We've all hear some stories about cancer patients who, by visualizing imploding malignant cells, find themselves tumor-free. However, according to studies, psychotherapy and meditation don't affect the disease progression or survival rates. Studies show that a patient's chances of recovery are completely unaffected by the mood or attitude.
"Positive thinking, while not inherently bad, isn't always healthy, helpful or rational. Sometimes it's the grumpy pessimist who is more realistic than all those Pollyannas (an excessively or blindly optimistic person) out there."
January 7, 2021
أحتارُ في تقييم الكتاب لبعض الرتابة في أسلوبه، لكنه في النهاية كتاب جريء يعدد ألمع العناوين التي تتناولها كتب تنمية الذات ويدحضها ويبيّن زيفها.. وهذا ما أسعدني حقاً وجعلني أعيد التأمل في كل مصيدة وقعنا فيها سواءً في كتب أو دورات أو حتى معلومات متداولة حول الذات وأسرارها وأساليب تنميتها والعلاقة مع الآخر.
الفكرة الأوضح التي وصلتني من خلال هذه المقالات هي أنَّ كتب الذات تُضخّم الآمال وتزين المستقبل وتزركشه أمام هذا الطالب والمحتاج إلى إرشاد ومساعدة.. والنتيجة ما هي؟ الواقع أصعب والتحديات أكبر من نصائح نطبقها من كتاب أو جمل إيجابية ملونة ومكتوبة بالخط العريض.. فالنتيجة هي الإحباط العظيم والفشل والخجل من ضعف الذات أمام هذه التحديات
الفكرة الأوضح التي وصلتني من خلال هذه المقالات هي أنَّ كتب الذات تُضخّم الآمال وتزين المستقبل وتزركشه أمام هذا الطالب والمحتاج إلى إرشاد ومساعدة.. والنتيجة ما هي؟ الواقع أصعب والتحديات أكبر من نصائح نطبقها من كتاب أو جمل إيجابية ملونة ومكتوبة بالخط العريض.. فالنتيجة هي الإحباط العظيم والفشل والخجل من ضعف الذات أمام هذه التحديات
November 11, 2016
Snabbläst inför eventuellt bokprat. Jag har läst den tidigare. Briers tar en massa populärpsykologiska sanningar och motbevisar dom. Jag är inte särskilt bra på källlkritik så jag vet inte om han har rätt, men boken ger mycket att fundera på. Liksom Sven Brinkmans bok Stå Fast är detta en anti självhjälpsböcker, som dock trillar dit och blir just det. Problemet med Briers är kanske att han tar bort en massa illusioner, eller kanske är det bra. Men jag som läsare lämnas i sticket, vad ska jag göra nu liksom?
Read
October 26, 2016اجتمع نادي أعماق على مناقشة كتاب " ثرثرة نفسية" "نسف خرافات جيل المساعدة الذاتيه "
الكتاب يتطرق للشعارات والمقولات التي تغرسها وتروجها أدبيات وورش ومؤلفات مساعدة الذات
ويعطي للقارئ وقفة للتفكير ومراجعة ما يملى عليه
وأن بعضها يسبب لنا المزيد من الضغوط والأعباء بعكس ما يتهيأ لنا
وأن الحقائق الراسخة في مجال مساعدة الذات لا تقوم على دراسات وركائز علمية
الكتاب أثار نقاشا مثيرا بين أعضاء النادي وكانت لهن بعض الملاحظات على اجزاء من الكتاب وبالتناقش تبينت وجهات النظر بشكل أكبر ...
الكتاب يتطرق للشعارات والمقولات التي تغرسها وتروجها أدبيات وورش ومؤلفات مساعدة الذات
ويعطي للقارئ وقفة للتفكير ومراجعة ما يملى عليه
وأن بعضها يسبب لنا المزيد من الضغوط والأعباء بعكس ما يتهيأ لنا
وأن الحقائق الراسخة في مجال مساعدة الذات لا تقوم على دراسات وركائز علمية
الكتاب أثار نقاشا مثيرا بين أعضاء النادي وكانت لهن بعض الملاحظات على اجزاء من الكتاب وبالتناقش تبينت وجهات النظر بشكل أكبر ...
May 7, 2021
كتاب جميل يطرح بعضًا من مقتطفات الكتب المساعدة التي توهم البشر بسهولة حصولهم على كل شيء حيث يكتب الكاتب رأيه الشخصي بعد كل فقرة مؤكدًا على أننا بشر ولا ينبغي أن نسلّم لكل ما يُقال. ويخبرنا بأن نكون قنوعين أكثر و ليس بالضرورة أن تكون حياتنا مثالية ولا نحتاجها أن تكون بهذه المثالية حتى نعيش حياة سعيدة.
March 16, 2016
A provoking and reassuring read at the same time. Far from perfect, I'm not even sure the point he is trying to make in some chapters actually gets through. Still, it is an interesting book to get back to when someone promise you shortcuts to understanding yourself or others.
December 4, 2024
الكتاب رائع على كل المستويات، تكلم عن اشياء كثيرة نبالغ بها بدون ما نلاحظ، على اني اختلف معه ببعض النقاط الا ان الكتاب ساعدني يكون عندي وجهة نظر اوسع من قبل و افهم الصورة الكبيرة لاشياء اكثر
خصوصا الفصل اللي تحدث فيه عن لوم الاهل كان فصل عظيم
خصوصا الفصل اللي تحدث فيه عن لوم الاهل كان فصل عظيم
July 20, 2021
Damn, I just really like the takedown on Rhonda Bryne.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2013
Entertaining and quick read. It hardly "explodes" anything, and some of the chapters are slightly contradicting. I enjoyed the chapter on the "know yourself" myth.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews