Stanley R. Strong

The dynamic relations among interpersonal behaviors: a test of complementarity and anticomplementarity.

On the basis of the positions of behaviors relative to one another in the interpersonal circle, the principles of complementarity and anticomplementarity specify how peoples behaviors influence one another in interpersonal interactions. Pairs of undergraduate women (1 subject, N = 80, and 1 confederate) collaborated for 16 min to create and agree on stories for two pictures. Confederates performed scripted roles that emphasized one of eight interpersonal behaviors. Behaviors were coded into eight categories, and the relative effect of each confederate behavior on each subject behavior was determined. Using the geometric properties of the interpersonal circle, vectors were calculated that identified the relative impact of each confederate stimulus behavior on the overall pattern of subject responses. Results were consistent with the dynamic relations among interpersonal behaviors that complementarity and anticomplementarity propose and demonstrated that how a person behaves toward another systematically and profoundly affects how the other behaves toward the person.

Experimental studies in explicitly paradoxical interventions: results and implications

A dozen experimental studies have assessed the effectiveness of paradoxical interventions with agoraphobia, depression, insomnia and procrastination. The studies suggest that paradoxical interventions are more effective than no treatment and placebo treatment and are as effective and, in some instances, more effective than other behavioral interventions. Several studies show that the wording of paradoxical interventions affects their impact.

Science in counseling psychology: Reply to Gelso (1991) and Patton and Jackson (1991).

Strongs (1991) observations and suggestions about theory-driven science should help move counseling psychology forward. In this response, theory-driven science is contrasted with discovery-oriented science. The two are seen as complementary, with each having distinctive merits. Findings from discovery-oriented research, however, must eventually be placed in a theoretical context if that research is to have optimum impact