How Humans Relate: A New Interpersonal TheoryIn this book, John Birtchnell offers a new theory as the basis for a science of relating. While links can be made between it and classical interpersonal theory, it has many new and original features.; The theory states that the relating of humans must have evolved out of, and be in continuity with, the relating of all other animals. The fundamental relating objective of both humans and animals can most easily be defined Identifying That Basic Framework Of Motives Which Is Common To Both.; Birtchnell proposes that such a framework is best constructed around two major axes, a horizontal one concerning the degree to which we need to become involved with or separated from others, and a vertical one concerning the degree to which we choose to exercise power over others or permit others to exercise their power over us. We differ from other animals in the horizontal axis in the extent to which we have expanded our proclivity for close involvement, and on the vertical axis in the extent to which we have become prepared to utilize such forms of power as we have, or have acquired, for the benefit of others. As a consequence of our greater involvement, we are capable of being concerned about and respectful of the needs of others, and trusting of those who are prepared to utilize their power for our benefit, though we remain capable of being disrespectful and non-trusting.; The four objectives derived from the proposed framework are called closeness, distance, upperness and lowerness, and a large part of the book is devoted to describing their characteristics. The book also explores the use of the framework as a means of classifying personality disorders and mental illness.; This book shoud be of interest to professionals and students interested in human relationsships, including psychiatrists, clinical and social psychologists, and psychotherapists. |
Contents
Figures | 8 |
The two main axes of relating | 40 |
The first interpersonal circle | 55 |
The interpersonal octagon | 59 |
Upperness | 147 |
Lowerness | 181 |
9 | 215 |
A graphical representation of scores on the Persons Relating to Others Questionnaire PROQ | 226 |
A graphical representation of scores on the Couples Relating to Each Other Questionnaire CREOQ | 227 |
Learys interpersonal circle | 232 |
Early modifications of the Leary circle | 238 |
Later modifications of the Leary circle | 244 |
Interpersonal circles for parents and children | 246 |
Benjamins three surfaces | 251 |
11 | 255 |
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Common terms and phrases
able adoration adult American Psychiatric Association animals anxiety attachment theory attain attitude avoid axes Axis II become behavior believe Birtchnell called cathexis Chapter characteristics child close involvement close person close position close relationships common concerned considered dependent depression described developed distant person emotion experience fear feel form of distance form of relating forms of closeness forms of upperness Freud hedonic her/himself her/his horizontal axis humans identity important imposed individual infant insecurely upper interpersonal circle interpersonal octagon introjective Leary linked lower close lower neutral lower person maintained marital mother narcissistic negative forms neutral close object observed octants one's oneself other's particular partners physical protection psychotherapy punishment reciprocal altruism relatedness respect response romantic love s/he schizophrenic seek sense separate social societies someone sometimes species subcortex superego term theory therapist things upper close upper distant upper neutral upper person vertical axis