Dianetics facts for kids
Dianetics is a special way of thinking about your mind and how it works. It was created by a science fiction writer named L. Ron Hubbard. He wrote a book about it in 1950 called "Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health." Dianetics is also used in the religion of Scientology, which Hubbard also started.
Some people who use Dianetics do a "stress test." This test helps them look at things in their own minds.
Most scientists who study the mind (called psychologists) think that Dianetics is a pseudoscience. This means it looks like science, but it doesn't follow the rules of real science.
Contents
What is Dianetics?
Dianetics is a set of ideas about the human mind. It suggests that people have hidden memories of painful or upsetting events. These memories are called "engrams." According to Dianetics, these engrams can cause problems in a person's life. These problems might be physical pains, fears, or even bad moods.
The goal of Dianetics is to find and remove these engrams. This process is called "auditing." During auditing, a person talks about their past experiences. They use a device called an "E-meter." The E-meter is said to help find the engrams. By removing engrams, Dianetics aims to make a person happier and more able.
How Does Auditing Work?
Auditing is a one-on-one session. An "auditor" guides the person through their past. The person recalls events that might be causing them trouble. The E-meter is held by the person being audited. It is supposed to show changes in their body's electrical resistance. This helps the auditor know when an engram is being discussed.
The idea is that by talking about these past painful moments, the power of the engrams goes away. This process is meant to clear the mind. It helps the person think more clearly. It also helps them feel better.
Who Created Dianetics?
Dianetics was created by L. Ron Hubbard. He was born in 1911 and passed away in 1986. Before creating Dianetics, Hubbard was a well-known writer. He wrote many science fiction and fantasy stories. He was very popular in the 1930s and 1940s.
Hubbard published his main book on Dianetics in 1950. This book quickly became very popular. Many people were interested in his new ideas about the mind. After Dianetics, Hubbard went on to create Scientology. Scientology is a religion that uses many of the ideas from Dianetics.
Is Dianetics a Science?
Many scientists and doctors do not agree that Dianetics is a real science. They call it a pseudoscience. This means it uses words that sound scientific. But it does not use scientific methods. For example, there are no scientific studies. These studies would need to show that Dianetics actually works.
Real science uses experiments and tests. Scientists share their findings. Other scientists then try to repeat the results. This helps to prove if something is true. Dianetics has not gone through these steps. Because of this, most scientists do not accept it as a true science.
Images for kids
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Hubbard conducting a Dianetics seminar in Los Angeles in 1950
See also
In Spanish: Dianética para niños
