Abstract
Seligman (2007) reported 10 facts about what psychological processes and problems can be changed, and those that cannot be changed. Over 250 participants completed a questionnaire where they indicated the extent to which they agreed with Seligman, as well as a measure of the Big Five personality traits, CORE self-beliefs and a measure of Dweck’s (2012) “Change Mindset” questionnaire. Lay people did not agree with Seligman and factor analysis did not confirm his grouping. Regressions indicated that age, sex, religiousness and Mindset were related to beliefs about change. Limitations are noted.
Highlights
The issue of what beliefs and behaviour Can and Can’t Change is fundamental to a great deal of psychology
In an attempt to “review with unflinching candour the effectiveness of most different kinds of treatment for the major psychological disorders”, Seligman (2007: p. xi) provided some facts about psychological change. In his book he reviewed the changeability of sixteen disorders including sexual preferences, identities, orientations and dysfunctions
This paper examines the extent to which people believe Seligman’s analysis and which individual difference factors are related to these beliefs
Summary
The issue of what beliefs and behaviour Can and Can’t Change is fundamental to a great deal of psychology. There are a very large number of self-help books that promise to provide the answer of how to change behavior, from the “curing” of addictions to general health and happiness. Xi) provided some facts about psychological change. In his book he reviewed the changeability of sixteen disorders including sexual preferences, identities, orientations and dysfunctions. He provided 10 “facts about change”: this study examined the extent to which lay people
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