Critical Thinking

Episode 65: God and Self Help, Synchronicity, and Listener Feedback

Some of the most popular self help books such as the Power of Positive Thinking and A Course in Miracles rely on references to god and religion. In this episode I add a few thoughts to the previous episode on how scientists view self help books which rely on references to god. I also share emails listeners send to me and I let you know how I will be adjusting The Psych Files podcast in response to your feedback.


Podcasts Mentioned in this Episode

  • Professor Jonathan Mueller hosts a great site with resources on social psychology. Definitely worth checking out
  • Professor Marianne Miserandino manages a wonderful site with resources on Personality psychology. Lots of resources valuable here.
  • If you’re a school psychologist or teacher, check out the School Psychology Podcast by Dr. Gaston Weisz.

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Michael

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1 Comment

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    Eric

    July 30, 2008

    Dr. Britt, I am finding your podcasts intrequing and your style very entertaining. You have helped my understanding of many things “mental”. I enjoy the candor with which you operate, as well as the interjections of genuine humor as you deal with what could be some rather soporific subjects.

    Your mention of “religiousity” in this past episode, as well as passing comments in previous podcasts, caught my attention. I would be interested in hearing about the affects of religiousity on the human psyche in a future podcast. As you know, one’s religious views greatly affect how one handles such things as sexuality, relationships, work ethic, feelings of guilt (And how they are/are not dealt with), how one deals with grief, cognitve dissonance, etc.

    I appreciate that this forum is focused on scientific exploration and the implied findings, and that is what I’d like to find out: what have psychologist discovered about the effects of one’s religiousity on their mental outlook and mental health? This would not have to be limited to Chrisitanity and Western Civilization per se; I would anticipate that religiousity would have implcations that cross the boundries of all religious systems and cultures.

    Again, thanks for the work you are doing. I enjoy it immensely.

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