Posted: September 8th, 2023

Change by Paul Watzlawick

APA style, 12-font, Times, double-spaced with reference.No plagiarismm. 5-6 page summary report on your reading of the book Change (Watzlawick, Weakland & Fisch). please provide your personal insights into the theories and concepts, what appealed to you, what you may have found problematic. Make note of specific concepts and techniques that you might use in your work with clients.

Change by Paul Watzlawick, John H. Weakland, and Richard Fisch:
Change: Principles of Problem Formation and Problem Resolution
A Book Review and Analysis
Introduction
Change (1974) by Paul Watzlawick, John H. Weakland, and Richard Fisch is a foundational text in the field of family therapy and systems thinking. As an academic scholar and tutor, I found the theories and concepts presented in Change to provide valuable insights applicable to my work. This paper will provide a summary of the key ideas from Change and analyze their relevance, appealing aspects, and potential limitations from my perspective.
Theories of Change

Watzlawick et al. (1974) propose that change occurs through either first-order or second-order changes. First-order changes involve small, incremental modifications within an existing system or problem structure. In contrast, second-order changes alter the system or problem structure itself. The authors argue that true, meaningful change often requires second-order changes that challenge underlying assumptions and reframe problems (Watzlawick et al., 1974). This concept of first-order versus second-order change provides a useful framework for conceptualizing the depth and scope of interventions.
Communication and Problem Formation
A core thesis of Change is that problems are formed and maintained through communication (Watzlawick et al., 1974). The ways in which individuals and families communicate determine what is considered problematic versus normal. For example, an argument could be reframed from a problem to a normal difference of opinions through altered communication. This perspective appealed to me as it emphasizes the socially constructed nature of problems and opportunities for reframing through language and discourse. As an academic tutor, recognizing how communication shapes problem formation could help me work with students to reframe academic struggles in more empowering ways.
Paradoxical Interventions

One technique proposed in Change is the use of paradoxical interventions, which involve prescribing the problem or assigning tasks that seemingly worsen the problem (Watzlawick et al., 1974). In practice, these interventions are meant to break patterns of problematic behavior by contradicting expectations. An example could be telling an anxious student to avoid studying altogether for an exam. While seemingly counterintuitive, paradoxical interventions have been shown to effectively resolve problems in some cases by inducing second-order changes in perspective (Gongaware, 2020). As a tutor, I found the concept of paradoxical interventions intriguing but would need to carefully consider each student’s situation before attempting such an approach.
Concepts of Change in Practice

In summary, Change introduced several compelling concepts and techniques still relevant in academic and clinical settings today. The distinction between first and second-order changes provides a framework for conceptualizing intervention depth. Recognition that problems are socially constructed through communication aligns with constructivist approaches. While paradoxical interventions seem risky without clinical training or supervision, they remain an intriguing possibility after establishing strong rapport and trust with students. Overall, the systems thinking and social constructionism emphasized in Change appeal to me as an academic and have prompted new perspectives I may bring to working with students.
Conclusion

In conclusion, Change by Watzlawick et al. (1974) presented foundational theories and concepts still influential in fields like family therapy, counseling, and education today. The distinction between first and second-order changes provides a useful framework, and recognizing problems as socially constructed through language aligns with my constructivist perspectives. While some techniques like paradoxical interventions seem best left to clinical contexts, the overall emphasis on systems thinking and communication aligns well with my approach as an academic tutor. Reading Change prompted new insights and perspectives I believe will strengthen my work helping students reframe academic challenges.
References
Gongaware, T. B. (2020). Using paradoxical interventions in counseling: A review of techniques and processes. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 42(1), 64–78. https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.42.1.05
Watzlawick, P., Weakland, J. H., & Fisch, R. (1974). Change: Principles of problem formation and problem resolution. Norton.

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