Memory for Information in Self-Help Psychology Books

Abstract

Research on psychological self-help books has not demonstrated conclusively that improvements in mental health occur after people read the books. This study examined a more sensitive measure of change: how much information is retained when people read a self-help book. 107 men completed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire in Session 1, read a self-help book during a 2-wk. interval, and completed an immediate or delayed 50-item true-false memory test in Session 2. The dependent measure was the score on the memory test. Regression analysis indicated that retention interval, personality scores, interest, and impact measures were significant predictors of memory scores. Memory for self-help information could be an important predictor of self-directed psychological change.