Quantitative process research in psychotherapy research

Authors

  • Franz Caspar

Abstract

In this paper the author tries to argue against some frequently disseminated but nevertheless false caricatures of psychotherapy research. Some robust results from process-outcome research are summarized. The postulate that research should not be merely inductive but rather theory-guided is supported, as well as the postulate of overcoming the barriers around individual schools of psychotherapy when developing theoretical concepts further. Emphasizing the great present significance of quantitative process research within the domain of psychotherapy research, it is suggested to be guided in one’s choice of research methods rather by their use in helping to answer the actual questions than by general philosophical attitudes or world view. By a study on therapists’ intuition itis illustrated that quantitative process research can be naturalistic and suited to assess subtle processes. Furthermore, the possibility of combining qualitative and quantitative process research is emphasized and illustrated by a study on resistance in psychotherapy.

Keywords:
Process research, psychotherapy research, quantitative methods, intuition, resistance.

Author Biography

Franz Caspar

PD Dr. phil. Dipl.-Psych. Franz Caspar hat in Hamburg studiert. Er arbeitet derzeit als Dozent am Institut für Psychologie der Universität Bern und als Leiter des Bereiches Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie an der Psychiatrischen Klinik Sanatorium Kilchberg. Er hat in verschiedenen Bereichen der Psychotherapie-Ergebnis- und Prozeßforschung gearbeitet und publiziert.

Korrespondenz: PD Dr. phil. Dipl.-Psych. Franz Caspar, Psychologisches Institut der Universität Bern, Unitobler, Muesmattstraße 45, CH-3000 Bem 9 

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Published

1998-04-01

How to Cite

Caspar, F. (1998). Quantitative process research in psychotherapy research. Psychotherapie-Wissenschaft, 6(2), 92–101. Retrieved from https://psychotherapie-wissenschaft.info/article/view/584

Issue

No. 2 (1998): Psychotherapie Forum 6/2 (veröffentlicht bei Springer Wien New York)

Section

Special Issue

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