Root Metaphor Theory: A Philosophical Framework for Counseling and Psychotherapy

Abstract

By exploring alternative worldviews or philosophical frames of reference, counselors can look beyond their own encapsulated images of reality and examine different assumptions concerning the nature of psychological phenomena and the process of change. The present article offers an overview of the root metaphors and philosophical assumptions associated with formism, mechanism, contextualism, and organicism—the four worldviews described in Pepper's (1942) philosophical treatise and his presentation of root metaphor theory. Recent and historical trends of development in counseling theory and practice are examined within the context of Pepper's metaphilosophical system.

Therapeutic orientation preferences in trainee clinical psychologists: Personality or training?

“…This factor has variously been referred to in the literature as ontological beliefs (Lyddon & Bradford, 1995), epistemological beliefs , worldview (Lyddon, 1989), values , vision o f reality (Messer & Winokur, 1984) and the German term 'Weltanschauung'…”

“…(outlook on the world) (Fear & Woolfe, 1999 and worldview (frame of reference for interpreting the world) (Lyddon, 1989;Lyddon & Bradford, 1995). observes that for most of the 20th century, the prevailing view within the psychological therapies was that the therapist purposefully set out not to impose their values on the client, a stance originating in psychoanalysis, summed up by the psychoanalyst Wilfred Bion's (1970; p. 315) off-quoted dictum of " [letting] go o f memory, desire and understanding".…”

“…However, also poses the question as to whether this is really possible in practice, and proposes the likelihood that clinicians select a therapeutic orientation that is underpinned by a set of philosophies and values congruent with their own as an individual. Several authors have pointed out that psychotherapeutic theories differ not only along theoretical lines but also in their underlying metatheoretical assumptions (Johnson et al, 1988;Lyddon, 1989;Vasco et al, 1993). As individuals differ in the ways in which they see the world, the prediction might therefore follow that individuals of certain philosophical worldviews may be more attracted to certain therapeutic orientations than others on the basis of congruence or dissonance between their own philosophy and the underlying assumptions o f the therapeutic approach.…”

A Critical Reflection on Career Development

“…The root metaphor of contextualism (Collin, 1997;Collin & Young, 1986;Lyddon, 1989) requires the individual client and the counsellor to be considered as part of a recursively dynamic interacting system surrounded by higher order influences (Patton & McMahon, 1999), and in this dynamic the counsellor should not be privileged as the expert dispenser of truth (House, 1999). Furthermore, Patton and McMahon (2006) proffer constructivism as a promising intellectual and pragmatic vehicle to carry vocational psychology and career development further through this chaotic world-of-work, and, moreover, uphold the person-in-context, as opposed to subjugating the individual through the discursive practices of the vocational scientist-practitioner.…”

“…The theoretical and practical approaches to career development and planning have developed within the context of western industrialised society, which has emphasised empirical science founded upon the mechanical, formist, and organicist root metaphors 4 (Collin & Young, 1986;Lyddon, 1989). Herr et al (2004, p. 49) echoed the terminology of scientist-practitioner applied to psychologists in relating to career counsellors as 'applied behavioural scientists'.…”