Degree Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
1999
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Human Development and Family Studies
First Advisor
Harvey Joanning
Abstract
This dissertation project seeks to confront confusion and criticism that has accompanied postmodernism's introduction into the field of therapy by identifying separate characteristics found in the professional literature and by asking three contributors to respond to criticism;The first article examines common ideas and characteristics attributed to postmodernism as found in family therapy literature. Toward that end, thirty-one articles from seven journals were examined to identify these meanings. This research found six general categories within which comments about postmodernism were expressed. Within the core category, twenty-six separate characteristics were identified;The second article addresses published criticism that postmodernism promotes an attitude of 'anything goes.' Speaking to this criticism are three notable contributors, Harlene Anderson, Kenneth Gergen, and Michael Mahoney. These respondents were also asked to distinguish between postmodernism and related concepts and speculate on why criticism of postmodernism continues. Among the results that the research yielded, it was found that these respondents neither utilize nor encourage postmodernist ideas or characteristics towards the promotion of an attitude of 'anything goes.'
DOI
https://doi.org/10.31274/rtd-180813-13716
Publisher
Digital Repository @ Iowa State University, http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/
Copyright Owner
Jeffrey Joseph Crane
Copyright Date
1999
Language
en
Proquest ID
AAI9950083
File Format
application/pdf
File Size
210 pages
Recommended Citation
Crane, Jeffrey Joseph, "Postmodernism in therapy: meanings and concerns " (1999). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 12447.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/12447
