Changes

Early considerations on human cognition doubted the applicability of the scientific approach to the subject, but gradually, following from early physiological studies by the Italian physician [[Galvani]], it became apparent that the [[physical science]] could be applicable to description of cognitive processes. Through the 20th century, great advancements from basic philosophical study to detailed examination of the human brain using the application of [[MRI]] and other modern scanning techniques have lead to a very detailed understanding of the underlying physical processes involved in the structure and operation of human cognition, however, a great deal remains unknown about the human brain, particularly in the areas of long-term memory storage and in a functional and predictive coherent picture of full brain functioning.

Early considerations on human cognition doubted the applicability of the scientific approach to the subject, but gradually, following from early physiological studies by the Italian physician [[Galvani]], it became apparent that the [[physical science]] could be applicable to description of cognitive processes. Through the 20th century, great advancements from basic philosophical study to detailed examination of the human brain using the application of [[MRI]] and other modern scanning techniques have lead to a very detailed understanding of the underlying physical processes involved in the structure and operation of human cognition, however, a great deal remains unknown about the human brain, particularly in the areas of long-term memory storage and in a functional and predictive coherent picture of full brain functioning.

Psychology, a bastion of [[liberal]]ism and secularism, is rife with [[pseudoscience]] and quackery.<ref>[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2011/11/psychology-is-not-science.html Psychology is not science]</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/03/health/research/noted-dutch-psychologist-stapel-accused-of-research-fraud.html?_r=1 Fraud Case Seen as a Red Flag for Psychology Research]</ref> For example, only 2/3 of Dutch psychologist release the data for their experiments.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/03/health/research/noted-dutch-psychologist-stapel-accused-of-research-fraud.html Dutch psychologist Strapel accused of research fraud]</ref>

Psychology is a relatively new discipline, less than two centuries old, and may be seen by some as a bastion of [[liberal]]ism and secularism, which may be rife with [[pseudoscience]] and quackery.<ref>[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2011/11/psychology-is-not-science.html Psychology is not science]</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/03/health/research/noted-dutch-psychologist-stapel-accused-of-research-fraud.html?_r=1 Fraud Case Seen as a Red Flag for Psychology Research]</ref> For example, an article published by the New York Times in late 2011 reports how  only two third  of Dutch psychologists release the data for their experiments. This naturally would raise some concern about the validity of the findings for these experiments<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/03/health/research/noted-dutch-psychologist-stapel-accused-of-research-fraud.html Dutch psychologist Strapel accused of research fraud]</ref>

In 2011, the ''[[New York Times]]'' reported:

In 2011, the ''[[New York Times]]'' reported:

{{Cquote|Psychology is ineffective, impotent, and embarrassingly deceptive. The great humbug is that “the psychological industry has successfully concealed its ineffectiveness from the general public. Pastors, churches, and the laity have been brainwashed into believing that only psychologically trained professional counselors are competent to deal with serious problems.”

{{Cquote|Psychology is ineffective, impotent, and embarrassingly deceptive. The great humbug is that “the psychological industry has successfully concealed its ineffectiveness from the general public. Pastors, churches, and the laity have been brainwashed into believing that only psychologically trained professional counselors are competent to deal with serious problems.”

Empirical research indicates the exact opposite. In a study done by J.A. Durlack entitled Comparitive Effectiveness of Paraprofessional and Professional Helpers he writes, “The research reviewed forty-two studies that compared professional counselors with untrained helpers. The findings were ‘consistent and provocative.’ Paraprofessionals achieve clinical outcomes equal to or significantly better than those obtained by professionals . . . The study, on the whole, lent no support to the major hypothesis that . . . the technical skills of professional psychotherapists produce measurably better therapeutic change.”

Empirical research indicates that this is not so. In his study conducted in 1979 and entitled "Comparative Effectiveness of Paraprofessional and Professional Helpers",  J.A. Durlack  writes, “The research reviewed forty-two studies that compared professional counselors with untrained helpers. The findings were ‘consistent and provocative.’ Paraprofessionals achieve clinical outcomes equal to or significantly better than those obtained by professionals (...) The study, on the whole, lent no support to the major hypothesis that (...) the technical skills of professional psychotherapists produce measurably better therapeutic change.”

At the conclusion of this study, psychologist Gary Collins reluctantly admits, “Clearly there is evidence that for most people, laypeople can counsel as well as or better than professionals.” Again, the bottom line is that Christians are not to turn to psychologist for guidance. Primarily because the Word of God instructs us not to and God has given us the ability to counsel one another through His Word.<ref>http://littorch.com/articles/to-whom-shall-we-go/</ref>}}

At the conclusion of this study, psychologist Gary Collins reluctantly admitted, “Clearly there is evidence that for most people, laypeople can counsel as well as or better than professionals.”  

 

Again, the bottom line is that Christians are not to turn to psychologist for guidance. Primarily because the Word of God instructs us not to and God has given us the ability to counsel one another through His Word.<ref>http://littorch.com/articles/to-whom-shall-we-go/</ref>}}

See also: [http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=buy.optionToBuy&id=1979-31736-001 Abstract - Comparative effectiveness of paraprofessional and professional helpers] and [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6399757 PubMed citation - Comparative effectiveness of paraprofessional and professional helpers]

See also: [http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=buy.optionToBuy&id=1979-31736-001 Abstract - Comparative effectiveness of paraprofessional and professional helpers] and [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6399757 PubMed citation - Comparative effectiveness of paraprofessional and professional helpers]