Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior

Hawkins’s ideas align with those of other spiritual seekers, and the book has been embraced by readers interested in self-help and spirituality. However, his work has faced criticism from academics for its reliance on unverified methods, especially applied kinesiology or muscle testing. The method assumes that muscle weakness can indicate various physical and emotional issues. Dr. John Diamond pioneered the process of using applied kinesiology to treat psychiatric patients.

In Hawkins’s research, the testing technique involved two persons. One held out an arm parallel to the ground. The other attempted to push the arm down at the wrist while saying “Resist.” The subject then held a statement in mind while the other tested the arm’s strength. A statement that was negative or false made the subject’s arm “go weak,” while a positive statement makes the arm “go strong.” Hawkins assigned numbers to statements by having the speaker say that an item calibrated “over 100,” then “over 200,” and so on until a negative response was obtained. The calibration was then refined by saying the item was over 220, 225, 230, and so on.

Organizations including the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and the American Cancer Society have found no evidence that the practice can diagnose with accuracy.