American Quote by Martin Seligman
“It used to be that whenever I introduced myself to people and told them I was a psychologist, they would shrink away from me. Because, quite rightly, the impression the American public has of psychologists is, 'You want to know what's wrong with me.'”
About This Quote
The speaker notes that psychologists are often feared because people think they will expose personal flaws, reflecting a stigma that mental‑health professionals are intrusive or judgmental.
In simple terms: Psychologists are seen as threat‑detectors of personal flaws.
Key Takeaway
Stigma around mental‑health professions.
Themes
Stigma
Perception
Professional Identity
Fear
Self‑Disclosure
Mood
Reflective
Cautious
Type
Anecdotal
Observational
When to use this quote
- Introducing oneself as a psychologist
- Seeking therapy
- Discussing mental health in social settings
Key Concepts
Psychology
Public Perception
Therapeutic Boundaries
Practical Applications
- Improving public education about mental‑health roles
- Designing outreach to reduce fear
Questions to Reflect On
- How can psychologists reshape public perception?
- What strategies reduce the fear of self‑disclosure?
A Different Perspective
Some view psychologists as allies who help uncover hidden strengths, not just flaws.
![“Ten years ago, when I was on an airplane and I introduced myself to my seatmate, and told them [I was a psychologist], they'd move away from me. ... And now when I tell people what I do, they move toward me.” quote by Martin Seligman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/508/martin-seligman-5268_airplane_ten-years-ago-when-i-was-on-an-airplane_1510649.jpg)
