Whenever I hear "Dr. Phil," the TV life strategy coach, it makes me feel good to see someone using their earned title. I know that in previous posts, it was argued that Ph.D.s should be careful about using the "Dr." title. Yet, it seems to me, that frequent use of the title is like branding in marketing: The more you use it, the more people will remember it. Can you imagine James Dobson without the "Dr."? Not hardly. I think something can be learned from the authors, TV personalities and others who have Ph.D.s and who gladly publicize it with pride. True, their popularity helps to prevent misunderstandings about whether they are medical doctors. But the use of Dr. with the first name, as in Phil, seems to have a personal, friendly touch that may be missing in the academic arena. To me, "Dr. Phil," is the guy down the street. But "Dr. McGraw" is the serious guy in the ivorty tower. Maybe someone here can tell me where I'm going with this, as my brain is now fried and I'm sure it shows Any thoughts? Roscoe
It's a cultural thing In the US,when someone appears on television or writes a book, artcile, etc it seems to me that person will be titled, for example, Joe Bloggs, PhD (or EdD or whatever). In the Uk they would be referred to as 'Dr' - for example, the Northern Ireland Secretary is Dr john Reid (PhD doctor) and Gordon Brown (the Chancellor of the Exchequer who also has a PhD) prefers to be called Mr -for whatever reason! 'telfax'
Dr. Phil is down to earth and I have liked what I heard from him. I also have no problem with his use of the title. He has an earned accredited degree and is a real Psychologist. He deserves the title because he earned the accredited degree. The ones I have a problem with are *Dr.s* John Gray & Beverly DeAngelis both of Columbia Pacific U. They do not have accredited degrees and run around spreading their pop psych with no accredited doctorate to back it up. Nonetheless, I am sure the *PhD* is good for marketing and that Gray could care less about my opinion of his degree as his $$$$$$$$$$$$ are more than comfort enough. North
Re: Re: 'Dr. Phil' and branding I'm with North. Whenever I pick up a book by "Dr. So-and-So," I will always look on the jacket or in the "About the Author" section to see where the doctorate was from. If the author proclaims that he or she is a "Dr." but doesn't let us know where it was earned, that brings up red flags for me. I have been exposed to far too many TV "experts" with unaccredited doctorates. Tony Pina College of Education California State University, San Bernardino
Roscoe: "Can you imagine James Dobson without the "Dr."? Not hardly." John: And how about Mr. Seuss. And Mr. J. And Mr. Demento. And Mr. Marten boots. Ehhhhhhh, what's up, Mister.
Or, could one possibly imagine John Bear without the coveted title of "Dr." in front of his name? The Ph.D. from Michigan State is like a set of shiny brass knucks, ever ready to punch a degree mill doctorate into the pit from whence it came. :--)
Calling Dr. Morris! Russell, Just wondering ... how are you addressed as pastor? Did you know that in the black culture, particularly the baptist church, preachers are often called "Dr." whether they actually have or don't have a doctorate. When I was growing up in the Mississippi Delta, I thought all pastors were in the same league as the medical doctors. Looking back now, I can see it was merely an honorary thing, but without the paper. However, those like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who had earned a doctorate, were addressed as "Dr." by everyone, including those outside the black community. Roscoe
Re: Calling Dr. Morris! Roscoe, For the most part, my parishioners address me with the title Dr. This is not something I have asked/encouraged them to do, it is merely respect for the earned degree. Some use Pastor, Bishop (since I am an ordained bishop), others Rev. (and a few names I will refrain from listing! :--}). The denomination in which I am ordained has only a small percentage of senior pastors who have earned doctorates. Of course, like all groups, some have chosen less-than-wonderful routes to a degree--some unintentionally, others knowing full well what they were doing. Traditionally, the academics have remained in our institutions of higher learning, but this is gradually changing as more of our pastors are persuing doctoral level studies. Much like your roots, many of the average parishioners don't understand the difference in the honorary doctorate and one earned. I was sitting with a leadership couple in my church recently and this issue came up. They were amazed that doctorates could be obtained for a small fee (degree mill) and on an honorary basis, yet one could still use the title "Dr." They then began to name off various leaders within my denomination who use the title, asking: "Is his real?" or "Did he earn his?" They found it very distasteful that honorary degrees were used as titles.
Reminds me of a story I heard 20 years ago across the pond, where in an Passport application a Doctor (anything) is required to put on the application the fact that they carry this title. As the story unfolds, a clerk at the check in at Heathrow was overheard to say to her colleague at the next check in counter, 'please mark on the passengers list that Dr. Brown (an Engineer) is in seat 23c'. During the flight, a passanger had a heart attack..and guess who was called on..The Doctor Engineer!. In another story same place across the pond, a surgeon/specialist is called ..what else..'A Consultant', those Brits really screw it up at times. In the UK an MD is not really a Doctor but a medical practioner, since the Medical Doctor's route to becoming one follows a sort of apprenticeship, where at 18 with 6 'A's levels (super grad matriculation) enters directly into medical school for a total of 5 years. Now in North America we make sure the person who we hope will become an MD, that at least has an undergrad degree first (preferably science) then we stick them in medical school for another 3-5 years, not counting internship. Other Doctors of sort, in Business, Marketing, Engineers, Science, Arts/Humanities & Theology people like to carry the post nominal letters as a snob value, to impress or in the academic world they cant survive without it. Yes I know its a sign of respect, but if you didn't tell anyone you where a Ph.D you would be just plain old MR/Ms, Pastor or Consultant. Dont forget the Honorary Doc's, Bill Gates, Speiberg, George Lukas and the rest, they are with their Hon.Docs allowed to be Doctors by name. J.R (ic)
In the denomination which I serve, local churches are divided administratively into districts. I serve as bishop to one of these districts, which includes all local churches within a specific geographical area.
