We investigated an interpersonally-oriented reformulation of the hypothesis that conflict promotes processes of defense. This reformulation is based on the theory of interpersonal defense. In the reformulated conflict hypothesis, a person is said to be in a conflict-ridden interpersonal situation if pursuing what he or she wishes will happen in the relationship opens up the possibility that a feared consequence will occur. With regard to defense processes, the reformulation focuses on defensive interpersonal behavior, which is characterized by failures of coordination, that is, breaches in the flow of discourse. Ninety-six participants engaged in partially scripted real-time dialogues with a research assistant in each of four role-played relationship scenarios that were presented in either conflict (wish and fear) or nonconflict (wish and no fear) versions. As was predicted, participants' responses in the conflict condition were significantly less coordinating than were responses in the nonconflict condition. We point out useful features and limitations of the role-play paradigm, suggest how multiple methods could be used in future research, and discuss differences between interpersonal defense theory and the traditional psychoanalytic approach to defense.
Thinking in terms of a dichotomy between 'internal' processes, on the one hand, and behaviors and events in the 'external' world, on the other, is a pervasive, problematic feature of work in clinical psychology. Although there have been calls for rejecting this approach, it remains far from clear how to move beyond it. The authors address this issue by presenting a framework for participatory accounts. This framework is based on a philosophical perspective that takes as its starting point the person involved in practical activities. It includes five points about substantive and methodological matters. The authors illustrate the participatory approach by discussing a new conceptualization of defense processes called the theory of interpersonal defense in order to (a) show that going beyond the internal-external dichotomy can lead to fresh insights in a substantive area of inquiry, and (b) provide an example that can serve as a guide for investigators interested in approaching other issues in clinical psychology in a manner based on the participatory framework.KEY WORDS: Cartesian framework, defenses, discourse, dysfunctional interpersonal behavior, internal-external dichotomy, hermeneutics, limits of inquiry, participatory accounts, practices, self-fulfilling prophecies …a move in chess doesn't consist simply in moving a piece in such-and-such a way on the board-nor yet in one's thoughts and feelings as one makes the move: but in the circumstances that we call 'playing a game of chess, ' 'solving a chess problem,' and so on. (Wittgenstein, 1958, §33) The internal-external dichotomy appears pervasively in theory, research, and practice in clinical psychology. Investigators and clinicians refer again and again to 'inner' thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and conflicts, and to 'outer' behaviors and 'external' stimuli. Indeed, this framework, which is generally attributed THEORY & PSYCHOLOGY
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