Read this, Not that

Read this Not that

In this blog, I have included a brief summary and evaluation of a few research, magazine, and newspaper articles that either support or challenge the myth “When down in the dumps, think yourself happy by focusing on the positive.”

The best articles include:

1. Scientific studies
2. In-text citations
3. Reference pages

Should Read

Wegner, D.M., Erber, R., & Zanakos, S. (1993). Ironic processes in the mental control

of mood and mood-related thought. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,

65(6), 1093-1104.

This article supports my myth but only to a certain extent, it is possible to change our thoughts/mood with our mind. However, the authors say it is more difficult to do when distracted or stressed. This process is called the Ironic Processing Theory. It concludes that when we are distracted, the very thoughts we are trying to avoid come up again.

I would highly recommend this article because it’s easy to understand and flows well. It also includes the criteria above and is written by a well-known researcher in the field of mind control. The only drawback is that it’s not recent.

White, S. J. (2008, March 15). Using self-talk to enhance career satisfaction and

performance. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. 65( 6), 514-519.

This is a journal article, deeply describing what positive and negative self-talk is, with everyday examples. This article also provides the reader with steps on how to change their negative self-talk/emotions. I recommend this article because, unlike other articles on the subject, this one is very detailed in explaining the self-talk enhancing process. It is from a scholarly journal; it flows well and provides additional suggested reading on the topic of self-talk. Unfortunately, no reference page was provided.

Borton, J.L.S., & Casey, E.C. (2006). Suppression of negative self-referent thoughts: A

field study. Self and Identity, 5, 230-246.

This article challenges my myth. It provides a study where people who tried to replace their negative thoughts with positive ones ended up more depressed, anxious, and with lower self-esteem. It got so bad that they just couldn’t get the negative thoughts out their head, another example of the Ironic Processing Theory.

I recommend reading this article because it challenges my belief. Also, it meets all the above criteria. Plus, one of the authors is also well- known in the field of mind control. I also recommend this article because it flows and more recent.

Lightsey, O.R. (1994). “Thinking positive” as a Stress Buffer: The role of positive

automatic cognitions in depression and happiness. Journal of Counseling

Psychology, 41(3), 325-224.

This article provides a shed of light on positive thinking. In it a study is done verifying that positive automatic thoughts/positive thoughts protect one from depression more so than negative thoughts.

I highly recommend reading this article because it provides different take on positive thinking. It also describes the connection between positive and negative thoughts and future emotions very easily. The only problem with this article is that it is a bit outdated. The article also meets the above criteria.

Seligman, M.E.P., Steen, T.A., Park, N., Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology

progess: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5),

410-421.

This article provides scientific studies determining things people can do to make themselves happier. I recommend this article because I know if you are reading this blog; it would nice to know what does work, no matter what state you are in. I also recommend this article because it gives good background on what positive psychology is and what’s going on right now in the field.

Don’t even waste your time

Broughton, P.D. (2000, August 16). Scientist pessimist about optimism theory. National Post, pp. A1, A2.

This is a newspaper article I would not recommend reading. It briefly talks about a growing consensus amongst scientists and researchers that positive self-talk is harmful. It lists reasons why. However, it doesn’t mention any scientific studies supporting those reasons. Also, there are no in-text citations or reference page.

(1994). NO MORE NEGATIVITY. Nursing, 24(12), 79. Retrieved from Academic

Search Complete database.

This is a magazine article I would recommend not reading. The article is very brief. The authors just include four effective and ineffective examples of self-talk. They don’t even say why self-talk is important. All the article does is name a few professionals, expecting the reader to rely on those names for verification of its credibility. Also, no in-text citations or reference page are given.

Gillman, S. (n.d.). Positive Self-Talk-What you should Say. Retrieved May 10, 2010,

from http://ezinearticles.com/?Positive-Self-Talk---What-Should-You-Say?&id=51265.

I really would recommend not going to this website because it’s a personal website that doesn’t site any of its sources. The site is also includes excessive advertisement, and the author is not a professional in the field.