The Eye of the Beholder: Models in Occupational Therapy

Abstract

Over the past decade, there has been an increasing focus in the occupational therapy literature on theory and theoretical frameworks. This paper explores the confusion that surrounds some of the terminology used in this literature. The disparity between different theorists' use of terms such as model, paradigm, frame of reference and approach is highlighted. An analysis of major occupational therapy texts and articles on theoretical frameworks from 1962 to 1992 revealed four types of occupational therapy model. The author suggests that attempts by theorists to define terms have been as much an attempt to describe these models as to clarify terminology. A hierarchy of these models is proposed and the individual's role in interpreting and filtering models is also considered. This article is reprinted from the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (1994) 41, 115–122, by kind permission of the author and of Blackwell Scientific Pty. Ltd.