Use of Figurative Language in Successful and Unsuccessful Cases of Psychotherapy

Three Comparisons

Bibliographic Data

ID19429110
AuthorsLinda M Mcmullen (0000-0002-7948-4778, University of Saskatchewan, corresponding author)
Year1989
Volume4
Issue4
Pages203-225
Publication date1989-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMetaphor and Symbolic Activity (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0885-7253 • E-ISSN: 2379-0288
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1207/s15327868ms0404_1
OpenAlexW2005897612
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited10

The purpose of the present study was to extend the scant empirical literature on figurative language in psychotherapy by analyzing its use over time by clients and therapists in cases differing in outcome. Instances of figurative language related to major therapy themes were selected from all available and audible sessions (N = 95) of six cases of psychotherapy—one successful and one unsuccessful case from each of three therapists—gleaned from the Vanderbilt I Psychotherapy Project. Descriptive analyses revealed features of clients' figurative language that were more consistently present in the successful than in the unsuccessful cases, namely, the elaboration of major therapy themes via bursts of figurative language or development of a metaphor over time, the existence of a central metaphor(s) as evidenced by the use of several conceptually related figures that fit the metaphor(s), and the expression of some positive personal change in figurative language. The analyses also cast doubt on certain prevailing notions in the area. Some implications for psychotherapy practice and suggestions for future research are presented

Linguistics · Literal and figurative language · Metaphor · Psychotherapist · Computer Science · Language, Metaphor, and Cognition · Philosophy · Psychology · Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications · Transactional Analysis in Psychotherapy

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