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Therapeutic strategies and outcomes: Perspectives from different cultures
Author(s) -
Noon J. Mitchell,
Lewis J. Rees
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
british journal of medical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.102
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 2044-8341
pISSN - 0007-1129
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8341.1992.tb01691.x
Subject(s) - psychology , divergence (linguistics) , individualism , psychotherapist , social psychology , cognitive psychology , philosophy , linguistics , political science , law
Two forms of psychological therapy, one Japanese the other Euro/American, are described and compared. It is suggested that each identifies comparable goals for individual change. However, each differs in the means by which change is induced. The consensus concerning goals is taken as evidence of universal values in the definition of the fully functioning self. However, the divergence in means by which these goals are attained reflects specific cultural differences. The implications of these differences are related to individualistic versus relational values within the cultures discussed. It is proposed that the comparisons have implications for the practice of any specific form of psychotherapy on members of a culture other than that within which the therapy has developed.