Why Psychology Sucks
Not into being psyched? Tell me your reasons for why you think Psychology sucks.
Name: Tarnabit
Comments: 1. The vast majority of clinical therapy is based not on scientific method, nor facts nor theory. It is a hypothesis; there are no published peer reviewed studies validating cognitive therapy. It is impossible to test for psychological hypothesis because experimental ethics prohibits them on many grounds, like the use of control groups. In order to be even just a theory of science it must be testable, and clinical psychology fails this basic standard.
2. Psychology has always been used as a means of social control from the workplace to consumerism. The original diagnostic manual included homosexuality and trade unionism as illnesses, and "bitterness" may be in the DSM V. By creating a normal vs. Mentally ill dichotomy, Psychology establishes a false concept of normal, which can endanger the liberty of healthy, harmless people. Even criticizing psychology can be a symptom of many mental illnesses.
3. When someone goes to a therapist that therapist needs to bill for the session. "Why are you here" they will ask? As you describe what your problems you are categorized by your description and billing will be based on that. If you are sad because your cat died you will be billed for depression. There are over 500 diagnosis current listed in the DSM each with a corresponding billing code for the insurance company. Because of cultural differences, and the different ways even similar people express themselves, the therapist has total subjective control over how to medically describe the client.
4. People do need someone to talk to sometimes and hopefully these people can find a therapist who helps. Therapy is successful when you stop being symptomatic, but if you stop being sad because your cat died the therapy will be attributed as the cause of the positive change. There is no way to test if the sad person would become happy on there own, or if the therapy helped or even hurt the client. If you need to talk to someone try and find someone you can feel comfortable talking to and good luck.
Name: Dudebro
Comments: There are a lot of elements of pseudoscience to certain therapeutic measures used in the past. That was largely due to our lack of understanding of the brain and its functioning. It's also a field that has been invaded by new age people who are trying to erode the scientific standards that clinical psychologists have tried to institute over the past few decades.
If you work with someone who has just a bachelors in Psych or social work or some nonsense you've got a much higher chance of getting some wacky nonsense. If you work with a Psychiatrist or someone with a Ph.D. In clinical psychology you are much more likely to get someone who pays attention to peer reviewed studies and insists on a high standard of efficacy for treatments.
Name: WH
Comments: 1. Actually, there are numerous studies and extensive research into the value of clinical methods for specific mental health disorder. Anyone who tells you differently is simply not living in the western world. For your evidence, please go to any university and visit the psychology department. Each of those instructors is a published researcher.
2. Licensed clinical social workers often have more practical experience than a clinical psychologist. CP's tend to specialize in research and testing. Those in privte practice often cater to the "worried well", persons with middle-class income and problems. SWers serve a broader population and consequently have a more rounded base of knowledge from which to operate.
3. Psychiatrists are physicians and generally not trained to offer counseling.
I really don't see why it sucks unless you would be referring to how and when it could be used against you specifically, in which case I guess I can see it, but psychology is a pretty vital component of everyday life, both for society as a whole, and yes, advertising and marketing and companies, but also medical and social organizations, but also for individuals, to gage other people and groups, family, friends, etc. Maybe it sucks because we aren't any better at it than we are, or because other people aren't any better at it than THEY are, and misinterpret the proper way to approach us in certain times, saying all the wrong things?
Name: Lace
Comments: The biggest reason psychology sucks is because its not an exact science. Depending on who you go to you're likely to get a different opinion on what you have / don't have messed up in your brain.