“The Power of Positive Thinking” by The Rev. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale was published in 1952 and was a best-seller for decades. Along with psychiatrist, Dr. Smiley Blanton, Dr. Peale founded the American Foundation of Religion and Psychiatry in New York city. In writing, teaching and preaching, The Rev. Peale invited people to replace negative images and communication with positive statements and actions. Dr. Blanton disagreed with Peale’s hypothesis and eventually ended their professional and personal relationships. Blanton is not mentioned in the 1952 book. With seventy years of scientific research we now think we know that each man was correct, in part of the process.
For millions of years in animal and human development, we know that a single negative event can end a learning curve and the life of the learner. Eating several green berries will make you sick. Eating one poisonous red one will kill you. “Oh, look at the cute bear cub” can have disastrous consequences. This was the focus of a study in the psychology department at the University of Maryland College Park in the 1980’s. Subjects made two lists of statements. One “made” them feel badly about themselves when heard spoken. The second list was of statements that made them feel good.
The researcher read an item from the first list and the subject was to count how many items from the second list were read until they felt good about themselves again. [Side-bar: the study had to be redesigned and started over because not a single subject had enough statements on their second list to accomplish the desired result.] Study outcome: most people needed to hear from 50 to 75 positives to return to emotional equilibrium. The neurological power of millions of years of survival experience.
Our life today involves very few occurrences of poisonous red berries or cave bear cubs (and their very protective mothers). We find ourselves more balanced and in healthy differentiation when we use positive language, images and actions. Perhaps revitalizing Dr. Peale’s entreaty to see the plus side. Happy “Yes”-vember and the Holy Days that follow Shalom to all.
[As always, comments, questions, disagreements, snide remarks and silly stories are encouraged.]