What you can change…

A great psychologist, Martin Seligman who teaches at the University of Pennsylvania, has written a book entitled, “What you can change… and what you can’t”. I don’t know if I agree with him but here is his list found on page 5 of the book. Do you agree?
What you can change…

1. Panic can be unlearned.

2. Moods that cause your physical health problems can be controlled.

3. Depression can be cured by changes in conscious thinking and helped by medication, but cannot be cured by insight into childhood.

4. Some sexual dysfunctions i.e. frigidity, impotence can be unlearned.

5. Optimism is a learned skill. Once learned it can increase achievement at work and improves your health.

Here are some things Dr. Seligman believes cannot be changed…

1. Dieting almost never works.

2. Alcoholism cannot be changed easily.

3. Homosexuality does not become heterosexual.

4. Reliving childhood trauma does not undo adult personality problems.

I’m not sure I agree with Dr. Seligman on everything here, but he is a researched psychologist and his opinions should be respected. What do you think? What can be changed and what cannot?

By the way, Dr. Seligman has a book entitled “Learned Optimism” that is worth reading.

Quote of the Day
The art of life lies in the constant readjustment to our urroundings. -- Kakuzo Okakiwa