What is Mind-Pops and Pop Psychology?

Mind Popping "Capable of triggering a short circuit in people's minds". It is when memory retrieves information in an apparently sudden and surprising manner.

Everyone experiences a sudden memory while engaged in an activity, a memory that intrudes without warning and seems completely detached from the current context: this phenomenon, which can be more or less conscious in individuals, is called 'mind-pops.' Researcher Lia Kvavilashvili was among the first to investigate the mechanism of sudden memory and highlight its link to semantic activation, that is, the use of a long-term memory form that encapsulates all the general knowledge of an individual (e.g., the price of fuel, Napoleon's life, etc.). 

It usually occurs when engaged in habitual daily activities that require few attentive resources (e.g., having breakfast, washing dishes) and is often linked to topics, physical environments, sounds, or images elaborated in the preceding days. 

From an evolutionary standpoint, this form of thinking certainly has a utilitarian function: through semantic activation in memory, many pieces of information remain active, which then create conceptual nodes facilitating information processing. While on one hand, it may lead to greater reasoning efficiency and enhance the creativity of some individuals, on the other hand, in subjects with psychological problems, it can exacerbate emotional stress.

Popular (pop) psychology is an umbrella term that covers any psychological ideology, therapy, or other technique that gained popularity through a book, TV show, or blog post.

Pop psychology approaches are often characterized by an emphasis on personal feelings, the latest trends in popular culture, and self-help techniques. These approaches may not be scientifically supported or researched but they have become popular with people who want to improve their mental well-being.

Pop psychology is often associated with quick fixes as it promises easy solutions to difficult problems. It is also associated with personality tests that may not be scientifically validated. Popular personalities who promote pop psychology approaches such as Dr. Phil McGraw or Oprah Winfrey, have contributed greatly to the growth of pop psychology.

Pop psychology encompasses ideas that are purportedly rooted in psychology. Such ideas tend to gain widespread acceptance, even though they are not necessarily rooted in credible science. Learning more about distinguishing between pop psychology and evidence-backed scientific research can help you become a more informed consumer of psychological information.

More recently, social media has contributed to the rise of wellness influencers, who often market products and services rooted in pop psychology advice. It is important to note that many credible mental health experts share valuable, helpful information via social media. While they may be mental health influencers, the information they share is rooted in their experience and expertise. Such information can be helpful, but remember that it may not necessarily apply to your specific situation.

Types of Pop Psychology

Below are some of the common types of pop psychology you may come across.

• Pop psychology blogs. Personal websites written by authors without expertise on a given topic.
• Talk shows/ TV programs/podcasts. These can vary in quality, from those hosted by psychologists to those hosted by people who have never studied psychology.
• YouTube channels. There are many YouTubers making videos on mental health topics and claiming to be experts in the field. It is important to research their qualifications before watching any of these channels for advice.
• Self-help books. Self-help books sometimes contain methods that are not evidence-based or endorsed by scientific research.
• Self-help products. Many self-help products can be found online, but they are not all based on evidence-based methods.
• Internet forums. Internet forums may have users who claim to know about psychology when they don’t. Therefore, it is important to research the qualifications of any user before taking advice from them or their posts on these types of platforms.
• Social media accounts: Popular social media accounts on TikTok and Instagram often share information rooted in pop psychology. Such posts are designed to be shared and inspire clicks, views, and purchases, but they often have evidence to support their claims. Others may be rooted in research-backed ideas, but may overstate or overgeneralize the claims.

Tips for Using Pop Psychology

Pop psychology provides you with an opportunity to explore your mind and emotions. It provides self-help techniques that could potentially improve your life, relationships, or career.

Below is a list of tips to help you use pop psychology as a part of your mental health care plan.

• Do not rely on pop psychology alone, but instead combine it with other treatments such as psychotherapy or medication.
• Talk with your doctor about pop psychology methods you plan to try.
• Recognize that the same advice may not work for everyone. Look for evidence-based methods rather than personal stories or anecdotes about success.
• Don’t spend more than you can afford to lose since there are no guarantees about the outcome.
• Be cautious about self-diagnosis based on what you read or watch online.
• Reflect on whether you want advice from someone who has never evaluated or treated your condition.