Conditions for Competence Acquisition and Therapy

Abstract

The acquisition of interpersonal competence and therapy are viewed as learning processes that differ in terms of several key dimensions. The former is especially relevant for those who are competence or growth oriented. Competence acquisition requires psychological success, the giving and receiving of information that is directly verifiable, minimally evaluative, and minimally contradictory. Therapy is especially relevant to those who are survival or deficiency oriented. Such individuals may best be helped by indirectly verifiable knowledge, knowledge that is evaluative and can lead to psychological failure. Competence acquisition requires a group setting whose internal milieu is different from that of therapy.

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