Date of Award

4-1975

Degree Type

Master's Essay - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

Department

Education

First Advisor

Glenn E. Tagatz

Abstract

Since its inception, psychology has been an area of internal conflict and controversery [sic]. Different and opposing theories have been conceived in the attempt to explain human behavior. Two of the most controversial, but influential, theories of psychological behavior are the behavioristic model and the psychoanalytic model. With behaviorism emphasizing observable and quantifiable behaviors and Freudian psychoanalysis concerning itself with the "intra- psychic" dynamics of personality, these two viewpoints are at opposite ends of the psychological continuum. Perhaps in no other areas have they been described as more dissimilar than in their therapeutic approaches . Whereas one involves a focus on the direct change in observable behaviors , the other entails a drawn- out analysis of intra- personal dynamics . What I am attempting in this paper is a therapeutic approach that will employ both models in a conjunctive role. Essentially, it involves an application of behavioral techniques in a psychoanalytic orientation. I am proposing t he use of behavioral procedures in a dynamic framework. The proposals I am making are not meant to persuade advocates of either model to dramatically alter their orientation. Rather , I would like to demonstrate how both could be joined in a therapeutic role and perhaps bring the two schools a little closer together.

Download

Share

COinS