Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

The purpose of the present study into the phenomenon of resistance was twofold. First, the meaning of the concept as conceived by therapists of psychoanalytic and behavioral orientation was investigated. Second, an attempt was made to gain insight into the dynamics of the clinical phenomenon of resistance. The results of the study indicated that both groups of therapists attached virtually the same meaning to the concept of resistance. Both groups viewed the same classes of behaviors as indicative of resistance. Furthermore, it was found, as expected, that analytically oriented therapists reported the occurrence of resistance more frequently. The two groups agreed that "avoiding" and "fighting" behaviors were the most prominent resistances of clients. Therapist behaviors that were most likely to elicit resistance in the client are the "informative" behaviors, such as asking questions about the nature and origin of the complaint. Clinical implications of the research findings are discussed.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Auld, F. , & White, A. M. (1959). Sequential dependencies in psychotherapy. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 58, 100-104.

Chamberlain, P. , Patterson, G. , Reid, J. , Kavanagh, K. , & Forgath, M. (1984). Observation of client resistance. Behavior Therapy, 15, 144-155.

De Moor, W. (1982). Depsychotherapeutische interventie [The psychotherapeutic intervention] (Vol. 1). Deventer, The Netherlands: Van Loghum Slaterus.

Ellis, A. (1985). Overcoming Resistance. New York: Springer.

Foa, E. , & Emmelkamp, P. (1983). Failures in behavior therapy. New York: Wiley.

Freud. (1961). (Original work published 1923)

Freud, S. (1972). New introductory letters. London: Pelican Freud Library. (Original work published 1933)

Freud, S. (1979). Inhibitions, symptoms and anxiety. London: Pelican Freud Library. (Original work published 1926)

Freud, S. , & Breuer. J. (1974). Studies on hysteria. London: Pelican Freud Library. (Original work published 1895)

10.

Furnham, A. , & Jaspars, J. (1983). The evidence for interactionism in psychology: A critical analysis of the situation-response inventories. Personality and Individual Differences, 4, 627-644.

11.

Goldenberg, G. M. , & Auld, F. (1964). Equivalence of silence to resistance. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 28, 476-476.

12.

Goldfried, M. R. (1982). Resistance and clinical behavior therapy. In P. Wachtel (Ed.), Resistance (pp. 95-115). New York: Plenum.

13.

Greenson, R. R. (1968). The technique and practice ofpsychoanalysis, New York: International Universities Press.

14.

Langs, R. (1981). Resistances and interventions. New York: Aronson.

15.

Lazarus, A. A. , & Fay, A. (1982). Resistance or rationalization? Acognitive-behavioral perspective. In P. Wachtel (Ed.), Resistance (pp. 115-133). New York: Plenum.

16.

Lingoes, J. C. , & Roskam, E. E. (1973). A mathematical and empirical study of two multi-dimensional scaling algorithms. Psychometrika Monograph Supplement, 19.

17.

Sandler, J. , Dare, C. , & Holder, A. (1973). The patient andthe analyst. London: Allen and Unwin.

18.

Schank, R. C. , & Abelson, R. P. (1977). Scripts, plans, goals and understanding. Hillsdale NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

19.

Shapiro, R. (1972). Resistance revisited. The therapist as surrogate family. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 26, 112-121.

20.

Speisman, J. C. (1962). Depth of interpretation and verbal resistances in psychotherapy. In N. D. Sundberg & L. E. Tyler , (Eds.), Clinical psychology (p. 392-392). New York: Appleton Century Crofts.

21.

Strean, H. S. (1986). Resolving resistances in psychotherapy. New York: Wiley.

22.

Turkat, I. D. & Meyer, V. (1982). The behavior analytic approach. In P. Wachtel (Ed.), Resistance (pp. 157-185). New York: Plenum.

23.

Verhulst, J.C.R.M. (1987). Weerstand tijdens psychoherapie, [Resistance during psychotherapy]. Doctoral thesis, Tilburg University Press, The Netherlands.

24.

Wachtel, P. (Ed.), (1982). Resistance. New York: Plenum.

Resistance During Psychotherapy and Behavior Therapy

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References