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On the Problems of Eclecticism: A Call for Epistemologic Clarification and Human‐Scale Theories
Author(s) -
LIDDLE HOWARD ARTHUR
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
family process
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.011
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1545-5300
pISSN - 0014-7370
DOI - 10.1111/j.1545-5300.1982.00243.x
Subject(s) - eclecticism , scope (computer science) , declaration , psychotherapist , psychology , field (mathematics) , scale (ratio) , family therapy , epistemology , political science , computer science , law , philosophy , physics , theology , mathematics , quantum mechanics , pure mathematics , programming language
This paper addresses several contemporary theoretical issues in the family therapy field: clinicians' and students' selection of a theoretical orientation in light of the political struggles of competing schools of thought; problems of eclecticism for the practicing family therapist; the role of theory in clinical practice; and size and scope issues in theory‐building. Finally, the paper suggests a periodic activity, termed an Epistemologic Declaration, designed to help therapists clarify and refine their basic therapeutic beliefs.