Reversal Theory

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article or section is missing citations or needs footnotes. Using inline citations helps guard against copyright violations and factual inaccuracies. (September 2007)

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Domains 3 Reversals and Emotion 4 History, Use and Instrumentation 5 References 6 See also

[edit] Introduction

Reversal Theory^[1] is a theory of personality, motivation and emotion in the field of psychology.

Whereas many personality theories focus on a person's fixed or in-born dimensions (traits), reversal theory focuses instead of the variability and changeability of motives in response to the meaning that a person attaches to a given situation. The theory proposes that motives and emotions change, depending on the meaning a person attributes to a particular situation. For example, sometimes a roller coaster seems exciting; other times, it may cause anxiety. Sometimes a crying baby creates sympathy; other times it causes irritation.

The theory is organized around a series of motivational states, organized into four pairs called "domains." Each pair in a domain represent two opposite forms of motivation - only one state in each pair can be active at a time. We reverse between the states in each pair depending a number of factors.

[edit] Domains

The four pairs (or domains) are as follows:

• Means-End Domain - The two states in the first pair are called "Telic" (or "Serious") and "Paratelic" (or "Playful") and refer to whether one is motivated by achievement and future goals, or the enjoyment of process in the moment.

• Rules Domain - The next two states are called "Conforming" and "Rebellious" (or "Negativistic") and refer to whether one enjoys operating within rules and expectations; or whether one wishes to be free and push against these structures.

• Transactions Domain - The next two states are called "Mastery" and "Sympathy" and relate to whether one is motivated by transacting power and control; or by care and compassion.

• Relationship Domain - The final two states are called "Autic" (or "Self") and "Alloic" (or "Other") and refer to whether one is motivated by self interests (personal accountability and responsibility) or by the interests of others (altruism and transcendence).

[edit] Reversals and Emotion

The primary emphasis of Reversal Theory lies in the concept of reversals - by "triggering" a reversal between states, we can change the meaning attributed to the situation. What seemed serious before, can suddenly feel exciting with the right change in situation or mindset. Reversals can be created by changing a situation, reframing it, role playing, or using specific symbols or props that invoke a specific state (e.g., a toy can help trigger the Paratelic/Playful state; the image of a traffic sign may invoke the Conforming state).

Reversal Theory links the motivational states above to emotion by proposing that if one is in a state and things are going well, positive emotions result; if the needs of the state are not fulfilled, negative emotions result.

[edit] History, Use and Instrumentation

Reversal Theory was first proposed in the mid-1970's, by K.C.P. Smith and Michael Apter. Since that time, research using the theory has been conducted in the areas of sports performance and psychology, addiction management, health, business/management, and other areas.

While Reversal Theory has been actively researched in academic circles for the last thirty years, it has more recently entered a more public sphere of use by trainers and consultants for purposes of leadership and team development, and sports counseling.

A number of instruments have been created to measure Reversal Theory phenomena. While many of these focus on dominance (which states are more prevalent for a person over time), others attempt to capture the pheomena of the reversals themselves (how people's states shift in specific situations).

[edit] References

[edit] See also

Apter, M.J. (Ed.) (2001) Motivational Styles in Everyday Life: A Guide to Reversal Theory. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Apter, M.J. (2007) Reversal Theory: The Dynamics of Motivation, Emotion and Personality, 2nd. Edition. Oxford: Oneworld Publications.
Apter, M.J. (2007) Danger: Our Quest for Excitement. Oxford: Oneworld Publications.
Carter, S. and Kourdi, J. (2003) The Road to Audacity: Being Adventurous in Life and Work. Palgrave Macmillan.
Kerr, J.H. (2004). Rethinking aggression and violence in sport. London: Routledge.
Kerr, J.H. (2001). Counseling Athletes: Applying Reversal Theory. London: Routledge.
Kerr, J.H., Lindner, K.H. and Blaydon (2007). Exercise Dependence. London: Routledge.
Mallows, D. (2007) Switch to Better Behaviour Management: Reversal Theory in Practice. Peter Francis Publishers.
Rutledge, H. & Tucker, J. (2007) Reversing Forward: A Practical Guide to Reversal Theory, Fairfax, Virginia: OKA (Otto Kroeger Associates).