Do television shows like Dr Phil increase or decrease the public's perspective of psychology?

Answer 1

== == == == * This is a complex question. Let's face it, over 85% of people love shows that basically either bully or demean a person (I for one do not). Dr. Phil apparently is very good at this, and oh, lets not forget he chooses his subjects on shows such as Oprah's before the show airs. What person in their right mind would sit in front of millions of viewers with their problems right out there and be told off by Dr. Phil and made to feel like a child having their hands slapped not to mention feeling like a mindless idiot. Some people will do anything for money or having their face on TV (I'm talking about the people he chooses.) The man most certainly has personality and charm, but, he's dangerous! He is more circus, smoke and mirrors and I think he could damage a lot of people (there are few follow-ups of Dr. Phil's so-called help.) While he berets and accuses someone for being over-weight and they have the brains to control this weight I've noticed dear Dr. Phil has packed on a few heavy pounds of his own from the "good life." I find that Dr. Phil has lost his direction and do believe he started out by really wanting to help people, but is into more "show-off" shows and self gratification than really caring about many of the people he's dealing with that have problems. * Psychology is NOT an exact science! * He appears to be a Huckster of mediocre advice at best. Often on the TV show he comes across as rude, opinionated, and arrogant. Probably one of the reasons so many people like to watch it, kind of a highbrow version of Jerry Springer.