Toward a rationale for psychobehavioral therapy.

Abstract

THEORETICAL differences between approaches to the treatment of mental problems are certainly nothing new, and indeed are generally a reflection of a healthy atmosphere for the sciences. But stringent allegiance to any singular theory for therapy could potentially be the source of rigid attitudes toward other treatment approaches. It is regrettable, but seemingly true, that an unmerited, exaggerated schism is developing between the insight-oriented approaches to psychotherapy and the conditioning-oriented modes of behavior therapy. This purported schism seems to have developed from two sources: ego-involvement and interpretations of research. How much the former has influenced the latter remains the subject of speculation. There are numerous issues that are typically held up as the bases for condemnation of the opposing theoretical approach. Among these are: The cause of neurosis; is it an unresolved neurotic conflict or maladaptive learning? The efficacy of