Research into Practice

Abstract

This article will briefly review the second edition of an important book, Science and pseudoscience in clinical psychology (2nd ed.), edited by Lilienfeld, Lynn, and Lohr (2015), which David Barlow has endorsed as required reading for every student of clinical psychology, and I would add, for everyone in clinical practice in the mental health professions. I have therefore broadened the significance and impact of this book to apply to all of clinical practice and not just specifically to clinical psychology. A Christian perspective on science and pseudoscience in clinical practice will also be provided.In the Foreword to this book, Carol Tavris (pp. ix-xx) reviewed the scientist-practitioner gap a decade later after the publication of the first edition (Lilienfeld, Lynn, & Lohr, 2003). She listed the following examples of beliefs asserted by many psychotherapists or counselors that have been widely accepted by the public, although these beliefs have been dispelled or invalidated by empirical evidence: "Almost all abused children become abusive parents. Almost all children of alcoholics become alcoholic. Children never lie about sexual abuse. Childhood trauma invariably produces emotional symptoms that carry on into adulthood. Memory works like a tape recorder, clicking on at the moment of birth. Hypnosis can reliably uncover buried memories. Traumatic experiences are usually repressed. Hypnosis reliably uncovers accurate memories. Subliminal messages influence behavior. Children who masturbate or "play doctor" have probably been sexually molested. If left unexpressed, anger builds up like steam in a teapot until it explodes in verbal or physical aggression. Projective tests like the Rorschach validly diagnose personality disorders, most forms of psychopathology, and sexual abuse" (pp. xii-xiii).Tavris emphasized that such widely held but erroneous beliefs can have, and have had substantially negative or devastating effects in the lives of people. However, because American culture has a low tolerance for uncertainty, she wrote: "In such a culture, pseudoscience is particularly attractive because pseudoscience by definition promotes certainty, whereas science gives us probability and doubt. Pseudoscience is popular because it confirms what we believe; science is unpopular because it makes us question what we believe. Good science, like good art, often upsets our established ways of seeing the world" (p. xvi). She then asserted: "Pseudoscientific therapies will always remain with us because so many economic and cultural interests are promoting them. But their potential for harm to individuals and society is growing, which is why it is more important than ever for psychological scientists to explore their pretenses and dangers. As Richard McNally is fond of saying, the best way to combat pseudoscience is to do good science" (p. xvii).A Brief Review of Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology (Second Edition) (Lilienfeld, Lynn, & Lohr, 2015)In addition to the Foreword by Carol Tavris, this book contains an introductory chapter (chapter 1) and a closing chapter (chapter 17), with 15 other chapters divided into 4 major parts or categories: Part I on Controversies in Assessment and Diagnosis (chapters 2-5), Part II on Overarching Controversies in Psychological Treatment (chapters 6-9), Part III on Controversies in the Treatment of Adult Disorders (chapters 10-12), and Part IV on Controversies in the Treatment of Child and Adolescent Disorders (chapters 13-16). There are therefore a total of 17 chapters in this book.Introductory ChapterIn the introductory chapter (chapter 1, pp. 116), Lilienfeld, Lynn, and Lohr presented their initial thoughts, reflections, and considerations on science and pseudoscience in clinical psychology or clinical practice. They provided a brief primer on the differences between science and pseudoscience, including the following most frequent features of pseudoscience:"1. …