8 - Phenomenological, cognitive, and linguistic therapies

Summary

This chapter continues the discussion of abnormal psychology and therapy, beginning with accounts which interpret psychopathology and therapy in terms of the phenomenological perceptions of the person in question. This section is followed by models that focus on the cognitions or language of persons suffering from psychological maladies.

Phenomenological paradigms

The behavioural models described in chapter 6 attempt to account for certain disorders in terms of the mechanical operation of efficient causes. In juxtaposition to this stance, phenomenological theorists explain psychopathology and its removal largely in terms of final (intentional) cases, and the perceptions on the person suffering the problem. As exemplars of this perspective, two major protagonists are considered: Laing and Rogers. Each author attempts to explain different aspects of psychopathology and therapy in phenomenological terms.

Laing's account of schizophrenia

Laing's analysis of schizophrenia is described by himself and others as a phenomenological account. Schizophrenia is widely considered to have a genetic basis, and some authors therefore consider that a psychological analysis is rather superfluous. But while most studies of genetic variables do imply a genetic component (e.g., D. Rosenthal, 1970), even highly favourable interpretations of such evidence do not establish that this factor is either a necessary or sufficient condition for schizophrenia.