Skip to main content
View expanded cover

Positive Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychology pp 331–348Cite as

Conflict Model of Positive Psychotherapy

Abstract

As a psychodynamic modality, positive psychotherapy (PPT after Peseschkian) places its theory about conflict as a keystone in its approach to the clinical encounter. Conflict refers to the concurrence of different positions within one person or between persons. PPT works with a model of four categories of conflict: actual; key; basic; and inner. The actual conflict centers around acute or chronic situations happening at the present time. As such, the actual conflict is the current problematic life situation that leads to emotional stress caused by the mismatch between the expected and the observed. This mismatch may be a macro- or a micro-trauma and the reaction to these conflicts may affect any of the four areas/domains of life: body, achievement, contacts, and fantasy, each domain giving rise to different mental and psychosomatic presentations. The key conflict is a conscious inner conflict between the need to express one’s own interests (openness/honesty), and thus remain in contact with oneself (congruence) and the need not to compromise one's attitude to oneself and thereby stay in contact with the other (courtesy/politeness). The basic conflict is a family concept that becomes dysfunctional because of a current conflictual life situation. Finally, the inner conflict is an unconscious conflict of needs caused by the simultaneous existence of opposing or even mutually exclusive efforts, desires or ideals. A clinical example of supporting the client in working through these conflicts is discussed.

Keywords

  • Psychological Conflicts
  • Actual Conflict
  • Basic Conflict
  • Inner Conflict
  • Key Conflict
  • Psychodynamics
  • Positive Psychotherapy
  • PPT
  • Peseschkian

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-33264-8_27
  • Chapter length: 18 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-3-030-33264-8
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Hardcover Book
USD   159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions
Fig. 27.1
Fig. 27.2
Fig. 27.3
Fig. 27.4
Fig. 27.5
Fig. 27.6
Fig. 27.7
Fig. 27.8
Fig. 27.9
Fig. 27.10
Fig. 27.11
Fig. 27.12
Fig. 27.13
Fig. 27.14
Fig. 27.15
Fig. 27.16
Fig. 27.17
Fig. 27.18
Fig. 27.19
Fig. 27.20
Fig. 27.21
Fig. 27.22
Fig. 27.23
Fig. 27.24
Fig. 27.25

References

  1. Abrams D, Hogg MA, Hinkle S, Otten S. The social identity perspective on small groups. In: Poole MS, Hollingshead AB, editors. Theories of small groups: interdisciplinary perspectives. Thousand Oaks: Sage; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  2. American Psychological Association. Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. American Psychologist; 2002. Retrieved from http://apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx?item=3.

  3. Bach G. (1914) Fight with me in group therapy. In: Wolberg LR, Bisno ML, editors. Managing conflict. London: Sage; 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Benjamin LS, Rothweiler JC. The use of structural analysis of social behavior (SASB) as an assessment tool. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2006;2:83.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  5. Bisno H. Managing conflict. London: Sage; 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Blood RO. Resolving family conflicts. J Confl Resolut. 1960;4:209–19.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  7. Burlingame GM, Fuhriman A. Small group research and dynamical systems theory: conceptual and methodological considerations, a reply to McGrath (1997). Group Dyn Theory Res Pract. 1997;1(1):1–28.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  8. Carson RC. Interaction concepts of personality. Chicago: Aldine; 1969; Cartwright D. and Zander A. (eds) (1968) Group dynamics: research and theory. 2nd edn. New York: Row, Peterson and Co.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Cornelius H, Faire S. Everyone can win: how to resolve conflict. Melbourne: Simon and Schuster; 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Cowger CG. Conflict and conflict management in working with groups. Social Work with Groups. 1979;2:309–20.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  11. Crits-Christoph P, Cooper A, Luborsky L. The accuracy of therapists’ interpretations and the outcome of dynamic psychotherapy. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1988;56:490.

    CAS  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  12. De Mare R, Piper R, Thompson S. Koinonia: from hate, through dialogue to culture in the large group. London: Karnac; 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  13. De Rubeis RJ, Brotman MA, Gibbons CJ. A conceptual and methodological analysis of the nonspecifics argument. Clin Psychol Sci Pract. 2005;12:174–83.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  14. Deutsch M. The resolution of conflict: constructive and destructive processes, vol. 17. New Haven: Yale University Press; 1973. p. 248.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Donahue WA, Kolt R. Managing interpersonal conflict. London: Sage; 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Doob L. Conflict resolution. In: Kuper A, Kuper J, editors. The social science encyclopedia. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul; 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Fisher RJ. Third party consultation as a method of intergroup conflict resolution: a review of studies. J Confl Resolut. 1983;27:302–34.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  18. Gabbard GO. Long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy. 3rd edition. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association; 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Goncharov M. Conflict operationalization in positive psychotherapy. Russia, Khabarovsk; 2015. «Omega-Press».

    Google Scholar 

  20. Grawe K. Psychological therapy. Bern: Hogrefe & Huber; 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Hays PA. Addressing cultural complexities in practice: a framework for clinicians and counselors. Washington, D.C: APA; 2001.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  22. Heider S. Conflict resolution: a framework for integration. J Integrative and Eclectic Psychotherapy. 1987;6:334–50.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Horowitz LM, Alden LE, Wiggins JS, Pincus AL. Inventory of interpersonal problems manual; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Horowitz LM. Interpersonal foundations of psychopathology. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 2004.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  25. Huber D, Henrich G, Klug G. The inventory of interpersonal problems (IIP): sensitivity to change. Psychother Res. 2007;17:474.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  26. Hughes J, Barkham M. Scoping the inventory of interpersonal problems, its derivatives and short forms: 1988-2004. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. 2005;12:475.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  27. Kelly TA. The role of values in psychotherapy: review and methodological critique. Clin Psychol Rev. 1990;10:171–86.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  28. Kelly TA, Strupp HH. Patient and therapist values in psychotherapy: perceived changes, assimilation, similarity, and outcome. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1992;60:34.

    CAS  CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  29. Kyle GB. Predicting conflict in group psychotherapy: a model integrating interpersonal and group-as-A- whole theories. Wright State University; 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Locke KD. Interpersonal problems and interpersonal expectations in everyday life. J Soc Clin Psychol. 2005;24:915.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  31. Locke KD, Sadler P. Self-efficacy, values, and complementarity in dyadic interactions: integrating interpersonal and social-cognitive theory. Personal Soc Psychol Bull. 2007;33:94.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  32. Lovaglia M, Mannix EA, Samuelson CD, Sell J, Wilson RK. Conflict, power, and status in groups. In: Poole MS, Hollingshead AB, editors. Theories of small groups: interdisciplinary perspectives. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis (OPD-2). Manual of Diagnosis and Treatment Planning. OPD task force. 2008 by Hogrefe & Huber Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Peseschkian N. Positive psychotherapy. Heidelberg/New York: Springer; 1987.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  35. Peseschkian N. In search of meaning. Positive psychotherapy step by step. Bloomington, USA: AuthorHouse; 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Peseschkian N. Positive family therapy. Positive psychotherapy manual for therapists and families. Bloomington, USA: AuthorHouse; 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Peseschkian N. Positive psychosomatics. Clinical manual of positive psychotherapy. Bloomington, USA: AuthorHouse; 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Peseschkian N. Positive psychotherapy of everyday life. Bloomington, USA: AuthorHouse; 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Rokeach M. The nature of human values. New York: Free Press; 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Sadock BJ, Sadock VA, Ruiz P. Kaplan and Sadock’s comprehensive textbook of Psychiatry. tenth edition. Wolters Kluwer. Vol. 1.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Sharpless BA, Barber JP. A conceptual and empirical review of the meaning, measurement development, working through core conflicts 11 and teaching of intervention competence. Clin Psychol Rev. 2009;29:47.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  42. Sholevar GP. The handbook of marriage and marital therapy. New York: Medical and Scientific Books; 1981.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  43. Strupp HH. Humanism and psychotherapy: a personal statement of the therapist’s essential values. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. 1980;17:396.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  44. Teyber E, McClure FH. Interpersonal process in therapy: an integrative model. 6th ed. Belmont: Brooks/Cole; 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Van Dijke M, & Poppe M. Social comparison of power: interpersonal versus intergroup effects. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice; 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Weiss J. How psychotherapy works. New York: Guilford Press; 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Wilmot, W, 2005. Interpersonal conflict. McGraw-hill Human/Social Science/languages; 7th edition.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Woodward LE, Murrell SA, Bettler RF Jr. Stability, reliability, and norms for the inventory of interpersonal problems. Psychother Res. 2005;15:272.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  49. Yalom ID, Leszcz M. The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. 5th ed. New York: Basic Books; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Yalom ID. The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. 2nd ed. New York: Basic Books; 1975.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Positive Psychotherapy, Moscow, Russia

    Maksim Goncharov

Authors
  1. Maksim Goncharov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maksim Goncharov .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Professor of Psychiatry, College of Medicine University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA

    MD Erick Messias

  2. Wiesbaden Academy of Psychotherapy, World Association for Positive and Transcultural Psychotherapy, Wiesbaden, Germany

    MD Hamid Peseschkian

  3. Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    MD Consuelo Cagande

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Goncharov, M. (2020). Conflict Model of Positive Psychotherapy. In: Messias, E., Peseschkian, H., Cagande, C. (eds) Positive Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33264-8_27

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33264-8_27

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-33263-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-33264-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)