Clinical Investigators under Stress: A Critique of Garmezy's Commentary

Ferholt, Julian B.; Hoffnung, Robert J.; Hunter, David E.; Leventhal, John M.

doi:10.1016/s0002-7138(09)60302-2

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Reductionism is an approach to understanding that would explain whatever is being investigated in terms of the characteristics of its constituent units. As we note elsewhere (25), current philosophers of science reject reductionism on the ground that description at different levels of abstraction and complexity are not interchangeable (16,34). They insist that scientific theories and research methods not only can, but must, take into account the full complexity of whatever is being studied.…”

Section: Reductionism: Fragmented Knowledge and Clinical Nihilismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yet reductionist assumptions can be especially intimidating when they are presented in the vocabulary of science and hence are invested (by association) with various claims to rationality, neutrality, and irreducible truth. As a result, clinicians may become demoralized and less able to help severely mentally ill individuals and their families (25).…”

Section: Reductionism: Fragmented Knowledge and Clinical Nihilismmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Family Therapy in Trouble: Psychoeducation as Solution and as Problem

1988

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The authors cite clinical literature attesting to the importance of recognizing the family, rather than the individual, as the proper locus of conceptualizing, diagnosing, and treating mental illnesses. Specifically with regard to severe psychiatric illnesses, in particular schizophrenia, family dysfunction contributes to the emergence of the illness, significantly affects its course, and strongly influences the achievement and maintenance of treatment gains. Currently, a movement is afoot to limit sharply the amount and kind of treatment offered to schizophrenic patients and their families. Rooted in a "medical model" or "biogenic" view of the etiology of schizophrenia, this school of thought prescribes psychoeducation as the family treatment of choice. The present article looks at some misconceptions regarding treatment that prompted a widespread turning away from psychoanalytically oriented family psychotherapy for schizophrenic patients and their families, examines the reductionism (biological and behavioral) inhering in the exclusive use of psychoeducation, and looks at the clinical dangers of such reductionism. Finally, it proposes that family psychotherapists should not abandon a concern with the inner lives of severely ill patients and their families in the face of spuriously generalized claims made by reductionist researchers.

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Section: Reductionism: Fragmented Knowledge and Clinical Nihilismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Reductionism: Fragmented Knowledge and Clinical Nihilismmentioning

confidence: 99%