From Scientific American
The genre of psychological self-help books has grown tremendously, and authors such as Dr. Phil (McGraw), Wayne Dyer and John Gray are repeat visitors to the best-seller lists. Such popularity poses a paradox, though: If the books really worked, why would readers need to keep buying them? In the erudite yet lively Fools Paradise, literary scholar Stewart Justman argues that pop psychology texts are ineffective because, among other things, they encourage people to hyperfocus on their own emotional states. He approvingly cites philosopher John Stuart Mills maxim: "Ask yourself whether you are happy, and you cease to be so." Justman, professor of liberal studies at the University of Montana, offers a severe and mostly persuasive critique of pop psychology print media rather than of radio and television. Quoting liberally from books that purport to give life-changing advice, he castigates the field for offering unrealistic expectations of self-transformation, for dogmatic tone, and for dubious doctrines such as honoring ones "authentic self" by discarding feelings of obligation and morality. Along the way Justman points out some monumental ironies, such as authors demands that readers reject other peoples demands. He likewise notes that although the literature is unoriginal and repetitious, it instructs readers to make a sharp break with the past. Pop psychology, according to Justman, is a "utopian enterprise" inspired by the protest movements of the 1960s and early 1970s. Although this interpretation has some merit, one could argue that pop psychology marked a turn away from political activism into self-absorption. Similarly, Justmans assertion that pop psychology derides most guilt but welcomes "liberal guilt" over historical injustices seems to overstate the politics of a genre that is largely apolitical. Less disputable, however, is that most of the manuals are badly written. The literature is rife with supposed success stories about people overcoming negative emotions and behaviorsmany of which are suspiciously sketchy and formulaic. Loose or out-of-context quotations from serious literary and philosophical works are another ill staple of the genre, as when self-help authors celebrate the Shakespearean line "To thine own self be true," mouthed by the questionable character of Polonius in Hamlet. As Justman writes, pop psychologys many practitioners may include "a few who do not subscribe to the dubious doctrines probed here." Still, citing more than 40 guidebooks, he shows that the fi elds problems are serious indeed. (390)
Kenneth Silber
Review
Pop psychology has been unmasked before, but English professor Stewart Justman provides a fresh critical angle. (David J. Pittenger, associate provost for academic administration at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga)
Justman's witty and astringent appraisal of the world of pop psychology...is an essential social corrective as well as a vastly entertaining and stimulating book. (
Memestreams.Net)
Justman exposes successfully the shallowness of pop psychology theory. (Lennart Sjoberg
American Psychological Foundation)
Excellent cautionary reading.... Justman delivers a sustained, entertaining attack on self-help's claims, conventions, and contradictions. (Janet Ingraham Dwyer
Library Journal)
If you've been hoping for a brutally rational answer to Iyanla et al, look no further. (
Ruminator)
Provides a passionate examination of its foundations and dangers. (Diane C. Donovan
Midwest Book Review)
Fool's Paradise is indeed a learned book. (Bradley Kreit
California Literary Review)
Erudite yet lively. (Kenneth Silber
Scientific American Minds)
An intriguing look at popular psychology. (
Forecast)