2005 Volume 19 Issue 2 Pages 141-151
This study provides a new approach for overcoming vicious circles: reference to the repetitive sequences of interaction. This approach derives from the analysis of a family therapy interview. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether this approach was effective to cut the vicious circles. The subjects were 20 pairs who were close friends. Pairs were asked to talk about the problem that one always requires the other to correct, but that he/she would not alter. The subjects were separated into two groups. In the middle of the conversation about a problem, this approach was applied to the experiment group. the control group was required to carry out the control task: just chatting. After these tasks, they were asked to talk about the same problems again.
In the experiment group, one member from lach pair was required to move to another room in order to watch a videotape on which their own conversation was recorded, and to notice their unique interactions. And then, they were required to refer the unique interactions to the others.
The results seemed to indicate that this approach is effective in ending vicious circles of behaviour from the indexes “moving one's head to elicit responses” and “disqualifications”.
