Interpersonal Foundations of Psychopathology

An interpersonal perspective on psychopathology poses questions such as: what do people want from interpersonal interactions? This book proposes that psychopathology is closely connected to interpersonal processes. In order to treat these disorders successfully, one must first understand the person's typical interpersonal interactions.

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An interpersonal perspective on psychopathology poses characteristic questions: What do people want from interpersonal interactions? How do they succeed or fail in satisfying those wants? How are interpersonal processes related to the person's self-image? How are the symptoms and signs of disorder related to unfulfilled interpersonal goals and motives? Interpersonal Foundations of Psychopathology proposes that psychopathology is closely connected to interpersonal processes. In order to treat these disorders successfully, one must first understand the person's typical interpersonal interactions. This book examines findings from developmental, social and personality psychology and organizes those findings into an interpersonal approach. The resulting approach is integrative. Like the cognitive-behavioral approach, it emphasizes objectively observable behavior. Like the psychodynamic approach, it considers interpersonal motivation, conflict, and defense. Like the humanistic approach, it emphasizes the self, relationships, communication, empathy, and support. Using this perspective, the author demonstrates how communal and agentic motives help clarify most personality disorders and many Axis I disorders. This engaging book shows the importance of social processes in many disorders and, in doing so, exposes interpersonal subtleties that are required in treatment. It will be an illuminating resource for students of clinical psychology as well as professional psychologists and researchers. Readers will be richly rewarded with a fuller understanding of interpersonal processes and their role in personality, emotion, and psychopathology.