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Theoretical Perspectives
Burger and Youkeles (2003)
Chapter Four
Overview
Helping professionals use theories about human nature to guide the
kinds of effort made to help those in need. This chapter looks
theory construction in general and then the two major models or
explanations for human nature. and three primary schools of
therapy.
What is a theory?
• Burger and Youkeles offer a definition of theory. What do they suggest?
• What is the difference in personal theory and scientific theory?
• It may be helpful to consider the idea the personal theory may be the
starting point for scientific theory. In other words, every research project
ever completed began as someone’s idea…….
Three Levels of Observation
Think about it
It can be easy to read and believe something or use a particular
technique because “the manual “ seem to be right. As a
practicing professional helper taking the time to consider the
basic stance on human nature that any theory begins with will
help you be a better provider for those you seek to help.
Major Theoretical Viewpoints
• Medical model
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– Based on model of diagnosis, treatment and prognosis
• Human services model
– Dysfunction occurs in internal process, relationship and.or social
systems
Medical Model
•
• Problem in living may be based in “illness” or pathologies that need
medical intervention.
• Problems in living may also be based in organic (genetic predispositions)
or be the product of biological environmental processes (like a brain
injury.
Major Contributions
• Psychopharmacology (see page 162)
– Anti-psychotics, anti-depressant, anti-anxiety
– Medications make it possible for many people with mental illnesses to
function with little of no impairment.
_
Human Service Model (1960’s)
• Strongly based in advocacy
• Focused on social change to better lives
– “Want to fix humankind/ Then fix the world”
• Basic assumption:
– Maladaptive behaviors are the result of the ______________
Hansell’s Motivation Theory
• Seven basic attachments
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Self
Purpose
Productivity
Meaning
Human Service Interventions
• Focus on ____and___—Problem solving
• Generalist helpers using generalist methods
• Wide variety of professional preparation and helping roles
Holistic Trends
• Combines medical and human service models
.
• One’s biography becomes one’s biology
• Examples
– Psychoneuroimmunology
– Alternative treatments from many cultures
School of Therapy
• Psychoanalytic View
– Internal world & level of consciousness
• Humanistic View
--
• Behavioral View
– Learning and shaping of observed actions
Major Freudian Concepts
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•
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Neurotic symptoms result from internal conflicts (sexual drives/libido)
What are the differences between phobias, obsession and compulsions?
Personality is comprised of ___,___ and ____.
Therapeutic concepts:
– Talking cure, Free associations, Transference
Early Revisionists
• Alder
– Individual Psychology
• Social beings
– We are formed by relational patterns
• Key terms
– Inferiority
– Compensation
• Therapy
– Focus on attitude towards other people
• Jung
– Analytic Psychology
• Valued spiritual aspect of human experience
• Personal and Collective Unconscious
• Archetypes
Pros and Cons of Psychoanalytic views
• Pros
– Defense mechanisms are useful in understanding adaptive and maladaptive
reactions to anxiety
– Importance of resolving past experiences
• Cons
–
– Questions of veracity of recalled information
–
– Lack outcome reporting
Humanistic Perspective
• Focus on meaning people give to their world
• Philosophical Underpinnings
– Human uniqueness
– Capacity for choice
– Potential for growth
– Always capacity for free will
Humanistic Approach
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•
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Holistic, focusing on individual world view
Less directive form of intervention
Strength based
Key terms:
–
– Responsibility
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Pro’s and Con’s
• Pros
Provides a sophisticated understanding of helping relationships
Carl Roger research provides a solid bases for learning how to help
• Cons
•
• Some clients may not react well to non-directive methods
Behaviorism
• Based on belief there is no way to verify private, internal
personal experience
.
Conditioning (learning)
• Classical (Pavlov)
– Involuntary responses
• Operant (Skinner)
– Voluntary responses (learning through pairing)
Behavioral Techniques
• Behavioral Assessment
• Systematic Desensitization
• Aversive Therapy
• Token Economies
Recent Trends in Behaviorism
• Social Learning Theory (Bandura)
– Learning through modeling
• Assertion Training
– Interpersonal skill training
• Cognitive/Behavioral
– Human capacity for thought influences behavior not just conditioning
• Biofeedback Training
Review the table on 188
System’s Theory
• System’s theory is : (your turn)
• Various subsystem are interdependent and form larger systems
World
Nations
Regions
Communities
Neighborhoods
Families
Spouses/Siblings
System Theory
• Basis for contemporary family therapy models
• Offers view of circular causality which is
_________________________
Does Psychotherapy Work?
•
Corey (1996) points
– Primary social support is important
– Therapy better than no help
– No one method is superior
– Characteristic of helper most important
•
• Warmth, support, congruence within theory and degree of competence
Pender’s point
– Two factor must be present before a helper can encourage change
• Being (a state of openness' and readiness to listen and hear the client
• Support (the client believes you are interested , and feels understood)
Essay factor four
• You know the drill by now:
• How can you use the levels of observation, models of helping
and schools of therapy when you thinks of how you want to
help?