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Title: Learned Optimism : How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin Seligman ISBN: 0-671-01911-2 Publisher: Free Press Pub. Date: 01 March, 1998 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.32 (56 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: More than useful. Step aside, Phil McGraw!
Comment: Dr. Martin Seligman, professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, started his scientific, methodical and well-documented research on "helplessness" when he was a grad student back in Yale during the late 1960s. Seligman spends a great amount of effort in the first half of this book in illustrating cases, rather then inventing or formulating, on how he became interested in the idea of "learned helplessness" and the difference between Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology.
Seligman introduces Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology so that he can bring the less informed readers up to speed for what's to come. Then he gets into the details of his experiments throughout late 1960s to near the end of 1970s. His experiments were on animals at first-- I must note that he first struggled with the idea of doing these experiments that involved animals-- however, he found a MAJOR difference between the "controlled" group and the "uncontrolled" group. Most of the animals in the "controlled" group, after a series of intended disappointment, simply stopped trying even when the opportunity presents itself. These animals had learned to be "helpless." But there are exceptions, who just won't quit despite the adversity, this is even more true for the human subjects. Nonetheless, Seligman did not stop here, as his true intention is to help people and not to make them more depressed.
Seligman then started helping his test subjects to unlearn the "helplessness" that they experienced, and he had 100% success in doing that. But Seligman notices that there is something beyond his experiment that's driving some of his test subjects to "think to fail" even before the battle begins, likewise, there is also something else that drive the minority to keep on struggling even if there are no solutions.
Seligman then gets into the "explanatory method" concept in great detail to explain what truly influences a person's thinking.
This book is much more than "feel good" positive self-talk. Seligman's theory and solutions are backed by scientific research including those who challenged him at one point or another. Seligman befriended with his oppositions and worked with them to refine his ideas.
Parts of this book are more academic than some people would like, but this is what make Seligman a professor and not a talk-show host on TV. Definitely check it out if you are interested in taking on a more optimistic outlook.
Rating: 5
Summary: A compelling guide towards a more positive outlook on life.
Comment: I am a psychologist who read this book in order to facilitate my work with clients. Dr. Seligman presents a pursuasive review of his research into the effects of learned optimism on mood, performance, health, etc. His three dimensions of thinking--pervasiveness, permanence, and personalness--provide the reader with a concrete, easily understandible description of their cognitive processes, thus facilitating both monitoring and changing these processes. Because his research spans several diverse areas including health, sales success, sports, politics, his methods are beleivable to even the most die-hard psychological skeptic. I highly recommended this book for both professionals and any one else interested in changing their life for the better through making simple alterations in their ways of thinking
Rating: 5
Summary: A classic
Comment: Unlike many of the positive thinking books that attempt to woo the reader into believing that optimism is the answer to life's ills, this well-researched book explains optimism and pessimism, how they originate and their pros and cons. It is an excellent book and should be read by all who want to understand these issues. I recommend two books in addition to this marvellous book. The first is Optimal Thinking: How To Be Your Best Self, a practical how-to book to show you how to resolve your emotions and make the most of every situation. The second book is Serious Creativity which shows you how to generate options, particularly when you are stuck.
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