The Reluctant Alliance

Bobby Newman

ISBN 10: 0879757272 / ISBN 13: 9780879757274

Published by Prometheus Books, US, 1992

About this Item

Humanistic psychology and behaviour analysis have long been viewed as staunch opponents in the practice of psychology. Newman's careful research into the theories, positions, and approaches of both camps dispels the myths of behaviourists as cold "manipulators" and of humanistic psychologists as weak-willed "armchair philosophers". After examining both systems, he outlines their shared philosophical and historical roots. Newman explores such questions as: How should psychotherapy be conducted? How is moral behaviour created and maintained? Is behaviourism unethical? and What forms of education are most effective at imparting information and improving self-concepts?

Seller Inventory # LU-9780879757274

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Reluctant Alliance
• Publisher: Prometheus Books, US
• Publication Date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0879757272
• ISBN 13: 9780879757274
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

In the adversarial climate of contemporary psychology, Newman effectively tears down many of the ideological walls separating two powerful schools of thought.

Humanistic psychology and behavior analysis have long been viewed as staunch opponents in the practice of psychology. Newman's careful research into the theories, positions, and approaches of both camps dispels the myths of behaviorists as cold "manipulators" and of humanistic psychologists as weak-willed "armchair philosophers." After examining both systems, he outlines their shared philosophical and historical roots. Newman explores such questions as:


- How should psychotherapy be conducted?


- How is moral behavior created and maintained?


- Is behaviorism unethical?


- What forms of education are most effective at imparting information and improving self-concepts?

After a careful reading of The Reluctant Alliance, humanists will come to appreciate that behaviorism is not destructive determinism, and behaviorists will learn that much of what they hold to be true is a natural outgrowth of humanistic thought.

From the Back Cover

Humanism and radical behaviorism are two of today's most anxiety-provoking systems of thought. While they have challenged some of society's most comforting notions, each has long been viewed as opposed to the other's practice of psychology. In this adversarial climate of contemporary psychology, Bobby Newman's compelling assessment in The Reluctant Alliance effectively tears down many of the ideological walls separating these two powerful schools of thought. He carefully researches the positions of both camps to dispel the myths that behaviorists are "manipulators" and humanistic psychologists are "armchair philosophers". After examining both systems, Newman outlines their shared philosophical and historical roots and explores such questions as: How should psychotherapy be conducted? How is moral behavior created and maintained? Is behaviorism inherently unethical? What forms of education are most effective at imparting information and improving self-concepts? As Newman points out, "It is my intention to demonstrate that the differences between the two systems are not as great as they are made to seem. More importantly, I will suggest that each system contains flaws that can be corrected by combining elements of the other". After reading The Reluctant Alliance humanists will come to appreciate that behaviorism is not destructive determinism, and behaviorists will learn that much of what they hold to be true is a natural outgrowth of humanistic thought.