The Science of Self-Help

Teasing out the hype from the help
by Acacia Parks, Ph.D.

Why Valuing Happiness Is a Good Thing After All

New data contradicts previous research saying that valuing happiness prevents you from becoming happier. Read More

Gains and Losses

Musings about loss and post-traumatic growth in the wake of a recent death in the positive psychology community. Read More

It Worked For Me! (But No One Else)

Dr. Parks talks about why trying to learn from someone else's inspirational story is kind of like making your chicken wear a sweater. Read More

My Friend Says It Works, So I'm Sure It Will

Testimonials are more than a way to sell a product - they actually help the consumer to benefit from that product. Read More

No Time Is Ever Wasted, Or Is It?

A recent study showing that how we feel about the time we spend - and whether or not it's wasted - depends on how we spend it. Read More

I Want to Be Happier! What Should I Read?

Dr. Parks discusses her three favorite self-help books and helps readers figure out which one might be best for them. Read More

This Sounds Like Quackery, but I Feel Like It Helps Me. Am I Crazy!?

A reader writes in to ask whether it's crazy to feel helped by a self-help author whose advice might be ... well ... crazy. Dr. Parks explains why the reader is not, in fact, off his/her rocker. Read More

One Size Does Not Fit All

When it comes to happiness, can we ever really determine "what works"? This blog post explores the importance of person-activity fit; a bad match could render the activity ineffective, or worse, harmful! Read More

Acacia Parks, Ph.D.

Acacia Parks, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology at Hiram College. She develops and tests research-based ways of becoming happier.

more...

Subscribe to The Science of Self-Help

About The Science of Self-Help

Taking a critical look at self-help: What works, what doesn't, and what does more harm than good.

Current Issue

Confessions of a Sociopath

She's successful and charming as well as ruthless and calculating.