Philosophy

The Dangers of “GroupThink”

By Frank M. Painter|June 11, 2011|Editorial, Philosophy|

The Dangers of “GroupThink”

SOURCE: ACA News

By William Morgan, DC

The term “group think” was coined by the psychologist Irving Janis in his 1972 work, Victims of Group think: A Psychological Study of Foreign- Policy Decisions and Fiascoes. Group think describes what happens when individual thought cedes to the will of group consciousness. This may sound like a cross between an Orwellian novel and a bad zombie movie, but its prevalence in the world is common, and the dangers of group think are all too real, especially when it comes to decision-making in health care. Group think suppresses dissenting views and can lead to an over simplified view of problems and solutions.

Symptoms of Groupthink

Dr. Janis presented eight symptoms of group think:

- Group attitude of invulnerability. The group feels that it is “bulletproof,” so it takes unnecessary risks and is overly confident.

- Group rationalism—discrediting evidence that is contrary to the group beliefs.

- Group peer pressure inhibits the will to dissent. Members of the group are browbeaten into conformity of thought.

- Group belief of moral superiority.

- Stereotyping of outsiders in negative terms—such as “Oh, he is just a dumb straight.” Or, “Those medi-practors are so insecure in their ability to adjust.” (more…)

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A New Idea

By Frank M. Painter|February 26, 2011|Philosophy|

A New Idea

The Chiro.Org Blog

A new idea

is first condemned

as ridiculous

and then is dismissed as trivial,

until finally (more…)

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PHILOSOPHY – First Things First

By Michael Beattie|December 3, 2010|Philosophy|

I am starting a new “blog” at chiro.org, specifically as an interactive forum for chiropractic students to both learn from someone in the field and share their ideas and questions. If there is sufficient interest, I will continue to post entries. The focus of this discussion will be on the practical application of treating the patient – adjusting techniques, case management, patient communication, philosophy, etc. rather than the business/marketing side of being a chiropractor, since i believe there are more than enough people out there who can handle that aspect of the business.

Let me begin by introducing myself. My name is Bob Swiryn, D.C., a 1992 graduate of Life Chiropractic College, West. I worked in the San Francisco bay area before moving to Kauai in 2000. Believe me, there are big differences working as a chiropractor between the two. Social and cultural differences make you alter your style a bit. But the one thing which I have always been solid with is my personal philosophy of chiropractic – that has never changed. In addition, adjusting techniques are effective on anyone – as long as you can deliver the goods.

With that said, I would like to start off by saying that one of the most important things a student must become grounded in on becoming a chiropractor is his or her philosophy. (more…)

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The Dodo Bird Verdict

By John Wiens DC|October 26, 2010|Philosophy|

Dodo bird from Alice in Wonderland

Source Wikipedia

In Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865), at a certain point a number of characters become wet. In order to dry themselves, the Dodo decided to issue a competition. Everyone was to run around the lake until they were dry. Nobody cared to measure how far each person had run, nor how long. When they asked the Dodo who had won, he thought long and hard and then said “Everybody has won and all must have prizes.”

In psychological literature, Saul Rosenzweig (1936) coined this phrase the “Dodo bird verdict”, and it has been extensively referred to in subsequent literature as a consequence of the common factors theory. This is the theory that the specific techniques that are applied in different types and schools of psychotherapy serve a very limited purpose (such as a shared myth to believe in), and that most of the positive effect that is gained from psychotherapy is due to factors that the schools have in common, namely the therapeutic effect of having a relationship with a therapist who is warm, respectful and friendly. (more…)

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Which Plants Do You Choose To Water?

By Frank M. Painter|May 18, 2010|Philosophy|

Which Plants Do You Choose To Water?

The Chiro.Org Blog

Here’s a Deep Thought for the Day
Thanks to Moyra Gorski, R.N., B.S.N. for sharing this with us all

skeptic, who had heard of the Buddha’s propensity to always return good for evil, and love those who would abuse him, did not believe this could be possible, so he set out to find, and then test the Buddha.

Finding him, he began hurling insults and spewing criticism at the master. When the accuser finally stopped, he was perplexed and asked the Buddha how he could sit so serenely amidst such abuse, and continue to offer peace and love in the face of such invectives being thrown his way. The Buddha answered his question with a question of his own: (more…)

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Holism

By Frank M. Painter|March 23, 2010|Philosophy|

Holism

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: Health Insights Today

An editorial by Daniel Redwood, DC

Through the 1970s and 1980s, those of us seeking to advance alternatives to conventional medicine that would be far less reliant on drugs and surgery, far more friendly to hands-on forms of healing and the use of natural substances, and cognizant that illness and pain usually have more than one cause and potential cure, identified ourselves as proponents of holism, holistic health care or holistic medicine. The words were chosen to convey the importance of seeing ourselves and our patients as whole persons—body, mind and spirit.

But phrases fall out of fashion. By the early 1990s, holistic had become alternative, then complementary and alternative (CAM), and finally (for now) integrative. We all understand that the map is not the territory, but changes in language signal changes in outlook and emphasis. Subtly and gradually, we have lost something in the process. When we raise the banner of holism, we assert the value of a whole systems paradigm. Endorsing alternative, complementary, or integrative medicine lacks this engaged focus on principles and thus affirms far less. (more…)

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