Comments on: Is Self-Help just “vigor without rigor”?

By: Self Help and Motivation Blog List » Is Self-Help just “vigor without rigor”?

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 10:19:10 +0000

[...] Allen wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptI recently heard professor Angela Duckworth of UPenn speak, and she talked about the words “self” and “help” being good words on their own. She also added that there shouldn’t by definition be anything wrong with self-help books. … [...]

By: Senia

Senia — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 02:38:55 +0000

That’s true, Heather.

And the most important thing IMHO is if the book HELPS YOU – that’s all that matters. Research-based or not. If something helps you, great!!!

Thanks for the note.

By: Heather Mundell

Heather Mundell — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:44:56 +0000

I also think that maybe some of us are nervous about admitting our interest in self help, for fear of looking clueless or “pathetic”. Ah, American culture.

There are many inspirational and informative ideas, tools, practices and research that are shelved in the self help section. Sure, there are a lot of not-so-great books there, too.

Thanks for emphasizing that positive psychology is based on research.

By: grimo1re

grimo1re — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:10:15 +0000

I think many people had way too high expectations when they read a self-help book and were disappointed. And now they’re all cynical about self-help. Too bad. On the other hand, it’s still a section in the bookstore that sells really well so although we act like we look down on self-development books, we buy them anyway :)

By: Alvin

Alvin — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 07:43:46 +0000

Wow cool post Senia! Gotta admit, sometimes people’s negativity and cynicism about self-help and personal growth can get me down.

Good to know there’s some real-world backing of the benefits of positive psychology in action!