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Cited by 29Academic and Historical Perspectives in PsychologyPsychotherapy Techniques and ApplicationsFree Will and Agency

A century of psychology and psychotherapy: is an understanding of control the missing link between theory, research, and practice?

Mansell, Warren, Carey, Timothy A.·2009·Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice
DOI 10.1348/147608309x432526
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Abstract

'Control' can be defined as the maintenance of a variable within fixed limits despite external disturbances. There is substantial evidence that the experience of loss of control characterizes psychological disorders. Therefore, we take a historical perspective on how modern psychology as a science has attempted to explain the process of control over the last century, beginning with William James's (1890) proposal of the 'pursuance of fixed ends by variable means' as the essence of mentality. We conclude that, after a long diversion from this perspective during the 20th century, recent approaches within psychology are again considering the importance of understanding control. We propose that Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) presents the most focused and applicable account, as characterized by its relevance for psychological therapy in the form of the Method of Levels (MOL). This is a therapeutic technique directed at guiding the client's awareness to the higher level (or meta-) control processes that maintain their current problem of conflict between their personal goals. We cover the emerging evidence base for PCT and MOL and propose that an understanding of control through PCT has the capacity to link theory, research, and practice within the field of psychotherapy.

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  • Certain circumstances can affect an individual's ability to control their experiences, such as natural disasters or serious illness, and this loss of control is often distressing.

    “Certain circumstances can affect an individual’s ability to control their experiences, such as natural disasters, or if the individual develops a serious illness, and this loss of control is often distressing (Powers, 2005; Mansell and Carey, 2009; Mansell et al., 2012).”

    From The Psychological Pathway to Suicide Attempts: A Strategy of Control Without Awareness (2021) · cites this paper as Mansell and Carey, 2009

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Authors
Mansell, W., & Carey, T. A.
Affiliations
  • University of Manchester (GB)
  • University of Canberra (AU)
Corresponding author
Mansell, Warren
ORCID
Venue
Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2009-09
Volume
82
Issue
3
Pages
337-353
ISSN
  • 1476-0835 (ISSN-L)
  • 2044-8341
DOI
10.1348/147608309x432526
OpenAlex
W2092853220
Cited by
29
References
52
Citations by year
2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
FWCI
3.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 479 d)
Locations
  • Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (publishedVersion)
  • Flinders Academic Commons (Flinders University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Economic and Social Research Council (ES/F037449/1)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › General Psychology › Academic and Historical Perspectives in Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Free Will and Agency
Keywords
control, loss of control, perceptual control theory, psychotherapy, mental illness, William James, history of psychology, meta-control, theory-practice gap, goal conflict
MeSH terms
Mental Disorders, Humans, Internal-External Control, Professional Practice, Psychological Theory, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Comprehension, Biomedical Research, History, 19th Century, History, 20th Century, History, 21st Century

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