In Defense of Radical Social Constructivism

Abstract

This article is a response to Alex North's () critique of radical social constructivism (RSC). North claimed that RSC was a movement in counseling that would be monumentally problematic in its future application to counseling theory. In this article, the author defends RSC and posits that RSC is closely aligned with the values of counseling. RSC encourages counselors to look at the social understanding of clients' experiences as paramount to the behaviors they exhibit.

From Individuals to Systems to Social Constructions: On Paradigm Shifts in Counseling Theory: An Interview With Robert Rocco Cottone

“…A few quotes from a recent article provide the best introduction to his work:My work reflects my social trajectory, which is my journey and connection with groups that influence me and in which I am enmeshed. (Cottone, 2017a, p. 468)Over 30 years of practice (it took me awhile), I learned to listen closely to what my clients were saying…It is much more elegant and coherent to work fully within the relational realm— the realm where almost all clients locate their problems . (Cottone, 2017a, p. 469)If people are harmed by relationships, they can be healed by relationships.…”

“…(Cottone, 2017a, p. 468)Over 30 years of practice (it took me awhile), I learned to listen closely to what my clients were saying…It is much more elegant and coherent to work fully within the relational realm— the realm where almost all clients locate their problems . (Cottone, 2017a, p. 469)If people are harmed by relationships, they can be healed by relationships. (Cottone, 2017a, p. 469)Clients do not construct complex theories of personality, psychologists do.…”

“…His published works and presentations advocated expanding individual theories and paradigms to include a relational perspective. In recent years, Cottone (2012, 2017a) has been involved in an effective advocacy of radical social constructivism (RSC) as an emerging paradigm in counseling. He was resolute in defending the position of RSC as social philosophy against a critique by North (Cottone & Tarvydas, 2016, p. 114) who presented the movement as a “millennial mistake,” which North argued introduces theoretical incoherence and ethical conflicts in professional counseling.…”

“…He was resolute in defending the position of RSC as social philosophy against a critique by North (Cottone & Tarvydas, 2016, p. 114) who presented the movement as a “millennial mistake,” which North argued introduces theoretical incoherence and ethical conflicts in professional counseling. RSC downplays the psychology of the individual and holds to the postmodern primacy of relationships (Cottone, 2017a, p. 465). Rock chronicled the evolutionary process of paradigm shifts in counseling from the “psychology of the individual” through systems theory to social constructivism (Cottone, 2012, 2013).…”

An Idealist's View of Humanistic Psychotherapy

“…This perspective is hallmarked by its premise that the experience of clients cannot be encapsulated by categorical psychological concepts. Furthermore, a humanistic paradigm emphasizes the relationship and discourse in counseling as being the essential point of contact between two individuals (Cottone, ; Hansen, Speciale, & Lemberger, ).…”