Why do some people love giving advice? (therapy, issues, relationship)

[Den0190]

Of course it's understandable to give advice on something you know, but what drives people to give advice on things they know nothing about?

[Kin Atoms]

To hear their own voice and drive someone recklessly over the cliff? Advice is 'try this...' A friend hopes all goes well. Friends jib-jab.

Therapy is different insofar as the clinician reflects, reframes, and re-iterates content, and using an empirical model, offers ideas on how the patient may want to address the issues they present. The clinician offers, they pick, and the two of them work collaboratively towards resolution. Therapy is 'how does this sound relative to your need/issue/dilemma? This is what has worked, as well as this and this. Which do you think will offer the greatest benefit in the situation you've just described?' Clinicians have a fiduciary relationship - they are looking out for the client's best interests and benefit. Clinicians study a vast array of issues and identify their weaknesses in areas for which they have no competence. Competency is a huge issue and it is how you can gracefully bow out of most therapeutic dilemmas, although it is just as important to get training in areas where you show weakness. Therapists have a science of practice that is constantly honed for inclusionary and exclusionary criteria. Therapists have a greater critical edge, listen more, and use a template from history and research for interventions and amelioration of distress.

I've had friends who were therapists. They make the best friends.

[303Guy]

Some people have an inborn instinct to reach out and help someone in distress. I'm not sure why some people want to offer unhelpful advice. Misguided I can understand but not critical unhelpful - maybe they can't spell and mistake helpful with hellful.

[krmb]

I think most people who offer advice mean well, but are often misguided by their own concept of life. For instance, if I've always worked at my family's business I have no perception of what it is like to be unemployed; however, that won't stop me from trying to give you advice, such as, "oh, it's not that hard to find a job; just put yourself out there and show people what you have to offer." I also think it may be an attention-seeking thing.

[OuttaTheLouBurbs]

I tend to do this a lot and I can tell you, it's mainly because I want to help in some way. Sometimes I do it just to feel like I've contributed something, somehow. I might also do it just to start a conversation. At least, that's my conscious reasoning. But I also feel like there is a subconscious undercurrent of a need for attention as well. I can't tell for sure