The Quest to Feel Good

by Rasmussen; Paul R.

• ISBN13: 9780415965316
• ISBN10: 0415965314
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-06-08
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Emotions, rather than simply being the result of random or disordered biochemical processes, are adaptive mechanisms that are often overly relied upon as a function of basic learning processes. The Quest to Feel Goodhelps the reader understand that negative emotions serve a critical adaptive purpose that functions in relation to one "s ultimate desire for a felt-positive state. Paul Rasmussen addresses the role of emotions as adaptive components, in combination with cognitive and behavioral processes, to our overall orchestration of life. To this end, the therapist is directed to use a client "s negative affect as a means of guiding critical therapeutic conclusions and decisions. Rasmussen emphasizes an integration of the basic premises of Adlerian psychology with the evolutionary-imperative model presented by Theodore Millon (1990, 1999). This integration is used to explain the primacy of emotions in the manifestation of most clinical conditions. This critical integration and focus makes the volume important, necessary, and unique to mental health professionals. Case examples and illustrations are also offered throughout the text.

Author Biography

Paul R. Rasmussen, PhD, is Professor in the Department of Psychology at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. He is the author of Personality Guided Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and coeditor of Competition: A Multidisciplinary Analysis. He has numerous other publications and is a Clinical Strategies and Contributing Review Editor for the Journal of Individual Psychology. In addition to his academic activities, he also maintains a private practice where he treats families and individuals.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xv
Acknowledgments	p. xix
Introduction
Introduction	p. 3
The Z-Factor	p. 11
Implications of the Z-Factor on the Discussion of Psychopathology	p. 21
Considering Treatment Resistance	p. 23
Connecting Physiology and Psychology	p. 24
Theoretical Foundations
The Evolutionary Imperatives	p. 29
The Imperatives	p. 31
Existence	p. 31
Accommodation	p. 34
Reproduction	p. 36
Individual Psychology: The Perspective of Alfred Adler	p. 39
A Description of Alfred Adler	p. 39
A Theoretical Overview	p. 40
Rudolf Dreikurs and the "Striving for Belonging"	p. 43
Importance of Childhood and Parenting	p. 44
Niches	p. 45
Early Recollections	p. 48
Organ Inferiority	p. 49
Family Influences	p. 50
Family Atmosphere	p. 50
Family Values	p. 50
Guiding Lines	p. 51
Parental Style	p. 51
Environmental Opportunity	p. 52
Maladaptive "Style of Life" Consisting of Lack of Social Interest	p. 52
Subjective View of Reality-Fictional Finalism	p. 53
Intermediate Beliefs	p. 58
Adler's View of Psychopathology	p. 61
Life Tasks	p. 61
Work	p. 62
Social / Friendships	p. 63
Love / Sex	p. 63
Self-Care / Self-Worth / Leisure	p. 64
Kin-Keeping (Parenting and Care of Others in One's Charge)	p. 65
Spirituality	p. 65
Declarations of Defeat (Giving Up) and Displays of Inadequacy	p. 68
Striking Out / Sharing the Misery / Revenge	p. 70
Indulgence (Compulsive Stimulation Seeking)	p. 72
Self-Blame	p. 74
Sideshows (Including Diversion, Fantasy Escape, Overcompensation, and Guilt)	p. 75
Misdirection	p. 78
Summary	p. 79
Physiological Foundations	p. 81
Symptoms versus Disorder	p. 85
Treatment Implications	p. 87
Limbic System	p. 92
Neurotransmitter and Hormonal Imbalances	p. 92
Neurotransmitters	p. 93
Causes of Biochemical Imbalances	p. 94
Treatments Based on the Chemical Imbalance Hypothesis	p. 95
Hormonal Factors	p. 97
Behavior Genetics	p. 100
Primary Reaction Tendencies and Temperament	p. 103
Impact of Temperament	p. 106
Brain Dysfunction	p. 107
Injuries and Disease	p. 107
The Impact of the Biological Viewpoint	p. 108
The Diathesis-Stress Interaction	p. 108
Summary	p. 110
Emotional Basics
Emotions, Feelings, and Motivation	p. 115
A Brief Historical Overview	p. 115
Emotions and Motivation	p. 118
Positive and Negative Reinforcement	p. 121
Emotions as a System Organizer	p. 123
Emotions as a Feedback Mechanism	p. 125
Emotions as Communication	p. 127
Conscious Control of Emotions	p. 130
The Adaptive Unconscious	p. 131
Emotions as a Behavior Moderator	p. 134
Mood States and Mood Fluctuations	p. 135
Emotions in Combination	p. 138
Two General Categories of Emotion: Those That Validate and Those that Compel	p. 139
Individual Differences in the Expression of Emotions	p. 140
Why Focus on Emotions	p. 142
Validating Emotions
The Validating Emotions	p. 149
Joy / Happiness: The Celebration Feelings	p. 152
Shortcuts to Joy and Happiness	p. 155
Caveats	p. 156
Contentment: The Satisfaction Feeling	p. 156
Love: The Bonding Emotion	p. 158
Pride: The Accomplishment Emotion	p. 164
Summary	p. 165
The Compelling Emotions
Threat Emotions	p. 171
Fear and Anxiety	p. 172
Panic: The Crisis Emotion	p. 176
Anguish: The Troubled Emotion	p. 178
Surprise: The Novelty Preparation Emotion	p. 182
Dread: The Escape Emotion	p. 183
Fascination: The Interest and Fear Emotion	p. 183
Summary	p. 184
The Protest and Fighting Emotions	p. 185
Frustration: The Protest Emotion	p. 186
Anger: The Obstacle Removal Emotion	p. 190
Anger Control	p. 192
Rage and Hostility: The Revenge Emotions	p. 193
Summary	p. 194
Psychological Distancing Emotions	p. 195
Contempt: The Social Distancing Emotion	p. 196
Self-Contempt: The Intrapersonal Distancing Emotion	p. 199
Disgust: The Rejecting Emotion	p. 205
Summary	p. 206
The Affiliation Emotions	p. 207
Embarrassment: The Social Rule Violation Emotion	p. 207
Humiliation: Severe Social Rule Violation Emotion	p. 210
Shame: The Unacceptability Emotion	p. 210
Jealousy: The Status or Relationship Threat Emotion	p. 213
Greed: The Acquisition Emotion	p. 214
Envy: The Desire / Conveting Emotion	p. 215
Lust: The Sex Emotion	p. 216
Hurt: The Injured Self Emotion	p. 217
Guilt: The Relationship Maintenance Emotion	p. 218
Resentment: The Fairness Emotion	p. 220
Disappointment: The Unfulfillment Emotion	p. 221
Summary	p. 222
The Withdrawing Emotions	p. 225
Sadness: The Loss Emotion	p. 225
Sorrow / Grief: The Terminal Loss Emotion	p. 227
Depression: The Retreat Emotion	p. 228
The Advantage of Depression	p. 233
Summary	p. 234
Treatment Uses
Emotional Reorientation: A Clinical Strategy	p. 237
Stage 1: Lifestyle Analysis and Interpretation	p. 240
Stage 2: Reorientation	p. 240
Case Example	p. 244
Reorientation	p. 246
Summary	p. 248
Appendices
The Adaptive Purpose of Emotional Expression	p. 251
Compelling Emotions-Feelings that Compel Actions Necessary to Alter Our Life Circumstance	p. 251
Compelling Emotions and Awareness	p. 257
Validating Emotions-Feelings that Allow us to Revel in the Positive Aspects of Life	p. 258
Emotional Self-Control (Instructions)	p. 259
Emotional Self-Control (Worksheet)	p. 261
The Three Purposes of Emotion	p. 263
Reference	p. 265
Author Index	p. 275
Subject Index	p. 279
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