Genes on the Couch: Explorations in Evolutionary Psychotherapy / Edition 1

by Paul Gilbert, Kent G. Bailey

Overview

Philosophers and therapists have long theorised about how psychological mechanisms for love, jealousy, anxiety, depression and many other human characteristics may have evolved over millions of years. In the dawn of the new insights on evolution, provided by Darwin's theories of natural selection, Freud, Jung and Klein sought to identify and understand human motives, emotions and information processing as functions deeply-rooted in our evolved history. Despite this promising start and major developments in modern evolutionary psychology, anthropology and sociobiology, the last fifty years has seen little in the way of therapies derived from an evolutionary understanding of human psychology. The contributors to this timely book illuminate how an evolution focused approach to psychopathology can offer new insights for different schools of therapy and provide a rationale for therapeutic integration.
Genes on the Couch brings together respected clinicians who have integrated evolutionary insights into their case conceptualisations and therapeutic interventions. Various psychotherapy schools are represented, and each author provides illustrative examples of the interventions used. Specific topics addressed include the nature of evolved mental mechanisms; regulation/dysregulation of internal processes; attachment and kinship in therapy; the importance of internalising warmth as a therapeutic goal; kin selection and incest avoidance; co-operation and deception in social relations; difficulties in working with certain male clients; gender differences in therapy and the roles of shame and guilt in treatment.
Providing up-to-date summaries of recent thinking in this increasing important but diverse area, Genes on the Couch will be of interest to psychotherapists, psychiatrists and a wide range of mental health professionals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781583911020
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/02/2000
Pages:	376
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Paul Gilbert, Kent G. Bailey

Table of Contents

Part I: Theory and Principles. Gilbert, Bailey, McGuire, Evolutionary Psychotherapy: Why it Matters. Troisi, McGuire, Psychotherapy in the Context of Darwinian Psychiatry. Bailey, Evolution, Kinship, and Psychotherapy: Promoting Psychological Health Through Human Relationships. Part II: Evolutionary Psychotherapies. Kriegman, Evolutionary Psychoanalysis: Toward an Adaptive, Biological Perspective on the Clinical Progress in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. Stevens, Jungian Analysis and Evolutionary Psychotherapy: An Integrative Approach. Gilbert, Social Mentalities: Internal "Social" Conflicts and the Role of Inner Warmth and Compassion in Cognitive Therapy. Allen, Gilbert, Social Intelligence, Self Deception, and Vulnerability to Psychotherapy: A Challenge for the Cognitive Therapies? Glantz, Moehl, Reluctant Males: Evolutionary Perspectives on Male Psychology in Couples Therapy. Ragsin, McGuire, Troisi, Gender and Psychotherapy - An Evolutionary Role. Part III: Special Issues. Erickson, Incest. Liotti, Disorganized Attachment: Models of Borderline States in Evolutionary Psychotherapy. Sloman, The Syndrome of Rejection Sensitivity. O'Connor, Pathogenic Beliefs and Guilt in Human Evolution: Implications for Psychotherapy. Harder, Greenwald, Shame. Part IV: Overview and Concluding Comments. Bailey, Gilbert, Evolutionary Psychotherapy: Where to from Here?

Editorial Reviews

"This is a delightful and timely book as it parlays new concepts in evolutionary genetic psychology into a practical - and wonderfully readable - guide to psychotherapy" - Daniel R. Wilson, Creighton University, USA

"Genes on the Couch... clearly articulates the benefits of using an evolutionary psychotherapy approach. The cohesive chapters successfully present evidence that viewing a behavior from the perspective that it is adaptive, rather than abnormal, and has now become maladaptive, may help psychotherapists gain greater understanding over psychopathologies, as well as produce more successful methods of treatment." - IJEMH, Vol. 12, No. 4, 2010

From the Publisher

Reviewer: Diana Marta, BSN, RN (Rush University Medical Center)
Description: This is a thought-provoking compilation of articles on evolutionary theory and how it helps us to understand who we are as humans, and why some people suffer various psychopathologies and how professionals might alleviate some of that suffering. Many of the authors go on to discuss how these evolutionary theories might be applied to clinical practice and psychotherapy.
Purpose: With the growth in sociobiology, evolutionary psychology and related disciplines over the last century, this book looks to examine some of the new models and interventions in psychotherapy that may develop based on these ideas and explore the direction future practice may take. It suggests that no matter what school of thought is examined (instinctual, archetypal, biochemical, or pathological), evolutionary theory may actually afford a structure capable of integrating them all.
Audience: The book is aimed mainly at practitioners (therapists and psychoanalysts) and scholars who are interested in the etiology of behavior and thought and what needs to develop when those behaviors fall outside the norm. While it may be a little too complex for the general public, it certainly fits in with the current emphasis on genetics and helps illuminate how psychopathologies are passed on and develop over generations. The authors come from universities and research centers throughout the world, though their individual credentials are not listed.
Features: This book explores both how evolutionary theory relates to each of the major psychoanalytic schools of thought and how the processes of socialization, gender role development, and attachment, for example, can help to explain even modern-day behaviors. Essentially it finds that the origins of behavior may go back further than even primal urges to techniques required for survival of the species. For those who want to explore individual topics further there are references listed at the end of each article, as well as an index by author and by subject at the end of the book.
Assessment: Anything that challenges complacency or offer a fresh perspective on understanding psychopathologies has value. While some of the theories are somewhat convoluted and others perhaps too simplistic, I found myself rethinking and reframing previous encounters with patients. I would have preferred the use of more case studies just to enliven some of the theory. But overall, I found this compilation of articles stimulating and worthwhile.

Doody's Review Service

3 Stars from Doody