Armchair Psychologists?

Question

If you're a psychologist, how bothered are you, if at all, when someone not proven as qualified acts as a psychologist when debating someone?

If not a psychologist, answer anyway, but I'm more interested in psychologists of psychology.

It's largely about using psychology to insult, such as telling a person he is the way he is because he's defective in someway.

Answer 1

I'm not a psychologist, and I don't agree with using psychology to insult others. I do believe that many people can give others good advice on a variety of topics, some of which are psychological in nature. Though classroom lectures, books, and academics are important, people also learn many things through life experiences and just because a person doesn't have said degree, doesn't mean they aren't knowledgeable on a topic. Also, through people's own experiences, people can generally give better advice to someone else, when they can be objective about it than when they are trying to think through their own problems and they have so much emotionally invested. I agree alot with the man who gave the diatribe. Though studied psychologists know all of the theories and new methodologies, a person who hasn't studied them and is sincere, caring, a good listener, and who has had many life experiences.. is sometimes a better match and can give better advice than an actual psychologist.

Answer 2

It's a bit annoying. I like to research my answers before I give someone an answer. That way, I also learn a bit more on the subject myself. I will not debate with someone unless I have all the facts from a reliable source. I am not a psychologist, however I do hold a BA in Psychology.

Answer 3

Psychology is not a science in the true sense of the word. It deals with a lot of unknowns that can not be standardized and that is why debating within this discipline does not favor the "qualified psychologist" There is a great deal to be learned about the brain and it's functioning, almost leaving a vast part of the subject to anyone's guess. There are many forms of psychology( Freudian,
Gestalt, etc.) that can be even contrary in their conclusions, philosophy and approach to it's application.

Answer 4

Not psychologist finished in school counseling, and know how much I do not know. People that speak in psychological platitudes bother me.
Anyone trying to make themselves feel better by putting another person down is not a professional they are a moran, but there are very legitimate times when skilled persons needs to point out areas of weakness you may have with the goal of helping you obtain coping skills for these areas, and not to try and top dog you. The only area debate on this subject was encountered was in college classroom where I found it interesting.

Answer 5

Life experience is worth more than any nonsensical psychological advice I ever got. Most psychologists tend to be so detached from their patience at a time when the person needs someone they can feel close to. Like it or not most psychologists have no humility and that is what makes them so poor at really helping people resolve their problems.

I went from one psychologist to other for years with little to no success. It wasn't until I met a naturopath who was humble and had genuine compassion for those that came to him for help. He set me on a course of discovery about myself and the world around me. I have never felt this good.

This man has so much integrity that he charges less than anyone else for his visits he drives a 12 Toyota pickup lives very modestly. Compared to the Lexus driving 100$/hour shysters I went to see in the past this man is a true healer of the body, mind and soul.

I find that the meat grinder I've been through makes me more than qualified to help people that have gone through what I went through. I have personally helped 3 people out of their depressions. They went off the bull.s.h.i.t. meds the docs and psychologists suggested changed their eating habits and exercised more and took supplements and did something to feed their souls and they are better than they've ever been. I never told them they had to do this or that, they asked what I did and followed. When they needed a person to just listen I was there for them and more often than not they, like myself, had the answers to what was bothering them.

Sure there are deep depressions that need medical intervention but nowadays anti-depressants are given out like freakin' candy

End of the diatribe.

Answer 6

It depends on your background...do you have any teaching in psychology or are you just spouting off things you don't know for a fact?
Does it have to be a psychologist or just have a degree in psychology...there are many different areas of the studies of people.

Answer 7

Over seventy percent of mental health counseling is now provided by social workers. Insurance companies prefer to pay the lower rate of social workers. Psychologists now a days, are either masters level practitioners providing counseling, or at the PhD level they are mostly doing testing.

Answer 8

The questions ask here are of a very general nature usually and the asker is very often vague and possibly not complete, so the answers are usually the same ...not a concern if viewed in this context

As one says quite often ...if you believe you may have a psychological problem ...start with a visit to your GP