Self help
Self-help or self-improvement is a self-guided improvement—economically, intellectually, or emotionally—often with a substantial psychological basis. Many different self-help group programs exist, each with its own focus, techniques, associated beliefs, proponents and in some cases, leaders. Concepts and terms originating in self-help culture and Twelve-Step culture, such as recovery, dysfunctional families, and codependency have become firmly integrated in mainstream language.
History[edit | edit source]
The origins of self-help can be traced back to ancient Greece, where philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle explored the concept of self-improvement. However, the modern self-help movement began in the United States in the mid-19th century with the publication of Samuel Smiles' "Self-Help" in 1859.
Self-help literature[edit | edit source]
Self-help literature, also known as 'Therapeutic' or 'Philosophical' literature, is a huge market that does a lot of good. Its writers tend to regard it as a more sophisticated version of the self-help genre, as it is often designed to deal with more complex or abstract issues, such as existential anxiety, or the search for personal meaning.
Self-help groups[edit | edit source]
Self-help groups are groups of people who provide mutual support for each other. In a self-help group, the members share a common problem, often a common disease or addiction. Their mutual goal is to help each other to deal with, if possible to heal or to recover from, this problem.
Criticism[edit | edit source]
While some critics argue that the self-help industry exploits the vulnerable, others claim that it simply doesn't work. They argue that the idea of self-improvement can sometimes lead to self-destruction, as it encourages people to strive for unattainable goals.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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