Slife Chapter- Theoretical challenges to therapy

There are forces that have constrained individuals (MHP) from thinking as creatively
and critically as they once did

Could naturalism be the downfall of this type of thinking?

The hallmark of science is investigation and examination in all of its forms
Nothing can escape philosophy

The philosophy of naturalism:

Natural laws ultimately govern the events of nature including our bodies, behaviors, and
minds

Most practitioners feel a disconnect between formal theory and informal practice

5 assumptions of naturalism:

Logic inherent in methods and techniques of science and therapy can be relatively free
of systematic biases and values

Most psychological disorders will eventually be shown to have observable and biological
bases

Chief goal in life (and therapy) is some form of happiness, fulfillment, or well-being

The qualities of people are contained within the self, so the basic unit of therapy is the
individual

True knowledge and valid methods are fundamentally unchangeable across time and
space, whether in therapy or in science

These assumptions are not situational or contextual, applying only to certain situations
or particular contexts

Naturalistic assumptions are the way the factors of nature supposedly work all of the
time

Objectivism:
The study of objects that are external to the observer’s mind; the scientific method is in
control
EST get a similar endorsement of objectivism
Problem with objectivism- any method must assume that a certain type of of world in
which that method would be effective

Certain doctrines are not able to be tested themselves- objectivity, observable,

replicability
CBT has basically the same values as traditional science

Alternative to objectivism:

Continental attitude- we should embrace rather than fear and avoid our values; values
are required for their to be understanding
Values in therapeutic methods have not been ignored; therapists can influence clients
with their values

Values were mistakenly thought to be a problem when it was actually abuse of values
that is the problem
Objectivism could lead therapists to believe that their values are not involved, so they
act on values of which they are unaware

Materialism:

Notion that what matters and is valued is matter; philosophies of materialism are
operationalized; all that really matters is matter

Problems with materialism- problems rarely acknowledged; some of the subject matter
of the social sciences is nonmaterial

There is a problem with operationalism too- cannot specify things like love
Researchers confuse the process of operationalism with identification

An alternative to materialism:
Material factors are necessary but not sufficient conditions for disorders
Alternative implies that other factors matter than matter
The vast majority of explanations implies the necessity of biological factors

Hedonism:

The assumption that all living things seek pleasure and avoid pain
Ex: pleasure principle, reinforcement, self-actualization

Problems with hedonism:

Formal theories do not allow for altruism
Theorists notes that many altruistic behaviors occur to gain self-benefit

There could be a win-win scenario at stake

Alternative to hedonism:
Conventional outcome measures should be more focused on others, rather than the
client themselves

Atomism:
Notion that the natural world is comprised of self-contained atoms each with its own
properties and qualities contained therein

There is a uniqueness and relativity of each atom

In therapy, what some clients need is not what others need- needs are individual
Clients carry their problems with them

Problems with atomism:

Expense of individual care
Fuels practices that are not well supported empirically or theoretically
Culture and context should be considered in terms of diagnoses

Social constructivists believe that therapists should understand and treat people relative
to their culture

An alternative to atomism:
Contextualist asserts that at least some of these properties and qualities come from
“outside” the thing, in its context or situation

The interpretation of the individual is itself part of the context

Assumes that individuals and cultures are only understandable and meaningful in
relation to one another (the whole)

Universalism:
Says the most fundamental and natural things are things that do not change- the things
that are universal across both time and space
If truth is fundamental, then it does not change; if truth cannot change then it cannot be
a physical thing

Universals are themselves not physical

Problems with universalism:

Is warranted only if clients and their contexts are fundamentally the same

An alternative to universalism:
Hermeneutics- advocate for the search for experiential patterns of change; patterns of
behavior, experiences, meanings, or relationships

Assumptions as constraints:
Unrecognized assumptions exert their influence without our awareness
Objectivism- therapists presume they do not need to attend to implicit biases and values
Materialism- focus on things that are observable and replicable; discount nonmaterial
factors

Hedonism- constraints on the meaning and purpose of suffering as well as the sacrifices
one can make for the sake of others
Atomism- restricts the emphasis of self; tailor to each individual’s needs and values
Universalism- attend to primarily what is unchangeable in the client, overreliance on
therapy theory

Five assumptions constrain the desired outcome of research and the desired process
Therapists need to be aware of assumptions they make and constraints they are under