According to Schultz and Schultz, the schools of psychological thought include psychoanalysis, behaviorism,
humanistic psychology, Gestalt psychology, functionalism, structuralism, positive psychology, cognitive psychology,
and evolutionary psychology. Like the evolution of theories and theorists, practitioners decide to become a generalist
or a specialist based on the context of their experiences.
Describe your chosen area of specialization and explain your reasons for choosing the area of practice. Using the
text and two peer-reviewed as references, assess the strengths and weaknesses of the major school of thought in
psychology, as it relates to a population or topic of interest in your specialty area.
Response Guidelines
Respond to at least two other learners. Your responses to other learners are expected to be substantive in nature and
reference the assigned readings, as well as other theoretical, empirical, or professional literature to support your
views and writings.
The earlier definitions of this emphasized that it could only be inferred from its surface
manifestations. Recently it has become known that other positive types of countertransference
are possible which allows the therapist to empathetically share an esoteric and subjective
identification, energy transference and archetypal discernment with the client.
The strength of a polarity model in training and therapy is enhanced when it is fully accessible to
the client. In this model we relate to three parallel levels of relationships that exist
simultaneously: the intrapersonal level of one's relationship within oneself, the interpersonal
level of one's relationship with others, and transpersonal level of one's relationship with the
universe. What is essential, particularly in analytical and Gestalt training applications is that the
therapist/trainer is aware of the importance of making the dialectical poles accessible in order to
hasten the spiral healing movement which leads to a new balance (Laub & Weiner, 2007).
One concern in the use of the holistic/polarity model is there is a need in separating the problem
into its parts with clients whose ego strengths are weak. Furthermore, application of this type of
model with individuals suffering from severe psychopathology may intensify comorbidity and
not be suitable. Because their self identity is not stable, neurosis can be aroused in switching
from one part of the psyche to another. In working with people who have experienced serious
insecure attachment status it is important to strengthen the pole of the resources before going
deeply into the problematic pole.
Anthony Rhodes
General Psychology Ph.D.
Reference
Broderick, P.C. & Blewitt, P. (2006). The life span: Human development for helping
professionals (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, OH: Pearson - Merrill Prentice Hall.
Laub, B., & Weiner, N.. (2007). THE PYRAMID MODEL - DIALECTICAL POLARITY IN
THERAPY. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 39(2), 199-221. Retrieved February 28, 2010,
from ProQuest Psychology Journals. (Document ID: 1464829601).
Rowan, John. (1998). Linking: Its place in therapy. International Journal of Psychotherapy, 3(3),
245-254. Retrieved February 26, 2010, from ProQuest Psychology Journals. (Document ID:
38518362).
WATTS , A. W. (1963). The two hands of God. The myth of polarity. New York: Collier Books.