Lecture 1 - Ironic Family Processes: When Solutions Maintain Problems
Idea:
Regardless of their origin or duration, problems are maintained by people’s attempts to solve them.
Definitions:
Irony: "An outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, intended" (Webster)
Ironic process: When an attempt to solve a problem keeps the problem going or makes it worse.
Problem-maintaining solution principle: "More of the same solution" leads to more of the problem, which leads to more of the solution, and so on. (Positive feedback loop, vicious cycle)
Why is this important?
A simple but powerful idea, applicable to many problems at both personal and interpersonal levels
Tells us where to look to understand what keeps things going badly (look for "more of the same" solution)
Suggests what needs to happen for a problem to get unstuck (someone must do "less of the same")
Examples:
Don’t think about white bears (a solution that guarantees intrusive thoughts)
Jake and Janet – demand/withdraw couple interaction
Ironic loops occur both within and between people; they can involve the problem bearer in interaction with:
- him or herself
- family members, friends, or colleagues
- therapists or designated helpers
Examples of ironic loops within people:
Insomnia: trying to sleep (solution) --- staying awake (problem)
Phobia: becoming anxious (problem) --- avoiding feared situations (solution)
Sexual dysfunction: trying to perform (solution) --- OOPS.. (problem)
Obsessional thinking: thought suppression (solution) --- intrusion of unwanted thoughts (problem)
(Note Wegner's research on ironic processes of mental control)
Breaking the loop: Suggestions for "less of the same"
For insomnia: Try to stay awake
For phobia: Approach what you're afraid of
For erectile dysfunction: Refrain from sex
For obsessive thoughts: Have the thoughts deliberately (even schedule them)
Examples of ironic loops between people at the interpersonal (family) level:
Child problems
- Todler has tantrums (problem) -- parent reasons, comforts, cajoles (solution)
- Parent threatens, disciplines, demands respect (solution) -- adolescent rebels (problem)
Couple problems
- Wife demands, pursues, criticizes, nags -- Husband withdraws, distances, defends, avoids
- Jealous spouse accuses -- partner denies
Problems of older adults
- Stroke victim acts listless, despondent, helpless (problem) -- Family members act helpful, do things for him, try to cheer him up (solution)
- Examples from Neuropsychology Consultation Clinic (couples coping with Parkinson's Disease)
Ironic therapy processes also occur between clients and professional helpers
High demand-withdraw couples (like Jake and Janet) do poorly in high-demand alcoholism treatments (Couples Alcoholism Treatment project)
Reactant clients often don't benefit from direct advice and suggestions; prescribing a symptom (e.g., procrastination) avoids "more of the same" and can mobilize reactance in the service of change.
Problem-solving exercise: How to help Celeste and Jim? (video)
Implications of the ironic-process idea:
How problems persist is more important than how they originate (the present is more important than the past).
Causality is more circular than linear.
The interaction sequence is a fundamental unit of analysis.
Problem resolution can follow from a change by any participant in the relevant interactional system.
Small changes in well-intentioned, persistently (mis)applied "solutions" are sufficient to initiate progressive (positive) developments.
Problems socially constructed as "complaints" can be understood and resolved without reference to "normative" behavior.
Insight, education, or skill acquisition is not necessary for change.
Criticisms and possible limitations:
It’s too simple – life is more complicated than this.
Long-standing problems (e.g., rooted in biology or early childhood experiences) can’t be so easily resolved.
Some problems are linked to broader family or social issues (e.g., power imbalances, cultural and economic influences) that must be addressed as well.
Accepting someone’s complaint as a "problem" provides no guidelines for normative behavior -- and no complaint doesn't necessarily mean there is no problem (e.g., wife abuse).
The circular (systems) view of problems implies shared responsibility and too easily excuses individuals from responsibility for their actions.
Further readings:
Fisch, R., Weakland, J.H., & Segal, L. (1982). The tactics of change. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
*Shoham, V., & Rohrbaugh, M. (1997). Interrupting ironic processes. Psychological Science, 8, 151-153.
Shoham, V., Rohrbaugh, M.J., & Patterson, J. (1995). Problem- and solution-focused couple therapies: The MRI and Milwaukee Models. In: N.S. Jacobson, & A.S. Gurman (Eds.). Clinical handbook of marital therapy (pp. 142-163). New York: Guilford.
Shoham, V., Rohrbaugh, M., Stickle, T., & Jacob, T. (1998). Demand-withdraw interaction moderates response to cognitive-behavioral vs. family-systems therapy for alcoholism. Journal of Family Psychology, 12, 557-577.
*Watzlawick, P., Weakland, J.H., & Fisch, R. (1974). Change: Principles of problem formation and problem resolution, pp. 31-39, New York: W.W. Norton.
* Available on library reserve.