DQ 1

Self-Help or Self-Harm?

Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read the required Bemecker (2014), Kosovski and Smith (2011), Mullins (2014), and Roose, Fuentes, and Cheema (2012) articles.

Flip through the channels on a television set or walk into any bookstore in the United States, and you are likely to encounter various self-help reality shows or books offering insights into how you can help yourself with mental health issues.

For this discussion, pick one self-help television show or book to evaluate (Dr. Phil, Hoarders, Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Managing Your Moods, Learn How to Boost Your Self Esteem, etc.). Identify your selection and provide enough information on the topic of the show or book to create adequate context.

Analyze the validity, reliability, benefits, and value of the popular resource based on your reading and study of the science of psychology across the course. Describe the presentation of the content within the book or television show in terms of the role of authority the author or host takes. (Is the presentation informational or authoritative?) Explain any theoretical foundations or shortcomings found in the material.

Evaluate the ability of the book or show to apply the methods within the presented material to the target population. Describe any efforts on the part of the author(s) or host(s) to apply ethical principles and professional standards of psychology in the delivery of the content. Note any ethical issues not addressed by the chosen resource

DQ 2

There is often a wide discrepancy between content presented in the mainstream media and that which is presented in the scientific literature. In this discussion, you will choose one contemporary psychological issue that is prevalent today (depression, body image, bullying, media influences, self-esteem, etc.).

Research your selected topic in a popular publication (Psychology Today, Newsweek, New York Times, etc.). Then, using the Ashford University Library, locate a peer-reviewed journal article on the same topic.

In your initial post, briefly identify your topic and provide enough detail for an adequate understanding. Compare and contrast the information presented by detailing commonalities and differences that exist in the two sources. Assess the contributions of the peer-reviewed source to the topic and identify any missing element in the popular source.

Evaluate how adequately the popular article addresses the major components of the selected contemporary topic in psychology for a general population.