PSEUDOSCIENCE AND PARANORMAL LIBRARY

Examples of Subjective Realism and Logical Errors in The Secret and quantum consciousness


♥ P The Secret (first 20 minutes)

This is an excellent video for introducing subjective relativism, as well as the misapplication of sources, logic, and scientific observation. One premise of The Secret is that one can directly modify emotions, and that rewards or punishments will magically follow (for positive or negative emotion). This might seem similar to some of the ideas of positive psychology, or cognitive-behavior therapy. Actually, professional scientific psychology presents a view of emotion that is the very opposite of that presented in the Secret. For psychology, one cannot directly turn off or turn on feelings. Instead, feelings (and rewards and punishments) flow from choices we make, specifically from effective and problem-solving efforts as well as rational thinking. Indeed researchers have actually compared the type of “positive imagery” advocated by the secret (“just visualize the positive end result you desire”) with “coping” and “relapse prevention” imagery in which one visualizes and rehearses the specific steps, setbacks, challenges, and recoveries one might make in a forthcoming challenge (interview, first date). In every case, positive imagery doesn’t work, whereas coping /relapse-prevention does. See Smith’s book, “Stress Management Today” and “RMM2″ in www.lulu.com/stress