Reframing Paradox

摘要

This article makes the argument that there are manipulative examples of paradoxical intervention; however, other examples of paradox exemplify directness, honesty, and balance. It is the sheer breadth of interventions of "paradox," that naturally results in the tendency of humans to simplify and overgeneralize rather than seek to add more complexity and nuance. It is necessary to understand the history and evolution of paradox; thus, the present article addresses both sociological and psychological uses of the concept of paradox. We intend to differentiate directional paradox, which refers to intervention intended to activate reactance (Brehm, Advances in consumer research, 1989, 72) and includes a therapist-driven outcome, from what we refer to as Nondirectional Paradox, which will refer to intervention that does not activate reactance. Nondirectional Paradoxical interventions flow from a foundation in systemic principles and the therapist clearly articulating an impasse to client(s), without an idea of what is the "best" outcome or the "correct" outcome. A case vignette further outlines the rationale and components of Nondirectional Paradox by demonstrating a couple in which both person's opinions (to an objective observer) could be seen as "right" on a relational belief.