Health and well-being are akin to a three-legged stool being supported by one leg of pharmaceuticals; a second leg of surgery; and a third leg of self-care. Whereas the first two legs are awesome in their efficacy, they are not effective in treating 60-90% of visits to health care professionals since these visits are related tos tress and other mind/body interactions. Dr. Benson will describe the therapeutic efficacy of the third leg - especially the usefulness of the relaxation response, belief and spirituality.
During the past several years, we have developed strategies for inducing people to persuade themselves to change dysfunctional attitudes and behavior. Compared with more traditional, direct techniques of persuasion like advertising, self-persuasion produces more powerful, more permanent effects. Specific reference will be made to our research on reducing racial prejudice in schools and risky sexual behavior in young adults.
