Does anyone feel "Yahoo! Answers" is like an on-line group therapy?

Answer 1

Yes and I love it and everyone who helps me answer my questions.

Answer 2

Well, it's not quite like "group therapy."

The environment, for one isn't really "safe" -- when you open up, you are as prone to being ridiculed or attacked as much as you are prone to be helped or taken seriously.

The only thing that really makes this risk endurable is the fact that it's an electronic rather than face-to-face setting. There's emotional distance there because it's through the Internet, and communication is not direct. This makes it impersonal and easier to deal with attacks.

Another problem is that the Asker can't go into much detail about his or her situation. Some people have trouble articulating their problem. There's also the case where it's hard to "read" people unless you are in proximity to them and can hear how they say things, see their body language, and get a feel for them as a perosn.

Finally, there is no real "interplay." The Askers can add notes to their questions, to clarify any confusion the Answerers express, but group therapy involves a lot of "back and forth" interaction. That can't happen in this format. There is basically one exchange of ideas, rather than a continual searching process.

Y! Answers is very good for people who need a specific piece of information that someone else can provide. As far as counseling goes, it's also good for (1) giving someone a new way to look at things and (2) redirecting people to more detailed resources they might not have found.

But it can't really substitute for therapy. It's much more the "Dr. Phil" approach, rather than a long-term relationship.

Answer 3

Yes, especially the "Religion" section.
Answers is just like group therapy, but without the possibility of group fights (physical, that is...).

BTW: I chose your answer as Best based on your previously asked questions and answers. I read them and liked them. So, well done!

Answer 4

nah, not really, cause a group therapy would focus on more specific subjects and in Yahoo! Answers there are a LOT of useless questions.

Answer 5

The answer depends on every individual.

If you feel benifitted by it, and feel that it works for you, then you can be sure that it is an online group therapy.

And yes, I think that Yahoo! Answer gives us an opportunity to meet up in one place and discuss our questions, which makes us more knowledgable and can enable to sort out our problems.

Answer 6

I don't know.. I just know I'ts a lot of fun sometimes. One is helping people answering real questions.
Secondly, chastizing kids too lazy to do their own homework.
Thirdly is really laughing about some of the silly questions and answers kicking around and
Fourthly it is so nice to see people joining together to get at some jerk who makes an ignorant question or statement.
Therapy.. I don't know.. Good fun.. sure.

Answer 7

Depends on what kind of questions it is... for the emotion-related kinds, definitely! It's nice to know there's someone to talk to or get some sort of advice no matter what... esp. when sometimes it's just too hard to ask friends and family in real life when it comes to faces and reputations. Interesting thought.

Answer 8

I think it's an online-quicker-answer-theraphy. I also believe it is somewhat educational(depends on the questions asked) and worth spending time to rather than going to other websites like MySpace or Friendster.

Answer 9

Absolutly YES! I read all these answers and I feel like a million dollar.........lol.....

Plus, I laugh as never before..........

And I think the world is finally going to get better.........

Thank you Yahoo!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

i can see where that impression would fit -- but this is too superficial -- they don't really get to know the person, they merely are responding to their interpretation of what your question might mean, 'cuz they don't really know you. i think for everyday living stuff, yeah, it works - but for real in depth stuff? I think you gotta pop for the couch time. g00d luck!