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The 60-Second Shrink Analysis

Decent Essays

“I” versus “You” In “The 60-Second Shrink” by Arnold Lazarus, the author explores over 100 different strategies designed to help readers handle a variety of life issues. Lazarus discusses strategies for anything from building successful relationships, weight management, to handling stress and anxiety disorders. More interestingly, the author discusses strategies to help the reader learn how to communicate with other individuals. Lazarus suggests that if the reader can learn to communicate more effectively with others, then they are more likely to have a positive experience or outcome. The Strategy I chose to examine a strategy that helps create effective communication between individuals. The strategy, number 57 in the book, is called “I-Statements” and it emphasizes that how you say something is just as important as what you are saying (Lazarus,1997, p.76). The aim of this strategy is to reduce tension and arguments by focusing on using “I-Statements” rather than “You-Statements.” A You-Statement is directed towards the listener, and implies that they have done something wrong or are …show more content…

This emphasis on communication is most closely related to the Family Systems Perspective. This perspective’s goal is aimed towards “[changing] the patterns of relationships that are not working well and helping [to create] new ways of interacting” (Corey, 2016, p. 209). The Family Systems Perspective works to change how individuals communicate with each other within a relationship, to create a more productive environment (Corey, 2016, p. 209). It uses effective communication to resolve ongoing issues between individuals, in ways similar to the I-Statement strategy. Both the Family Systems Perspective and the I-Statement avoid the placement of blame onto individuals, and focus on communicating feelings rather than

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