Bowen Theory, Science, and Research

Murray Bowen’s interest in a science of human behavior didn’t begin with the intention of developing a new theory. His initial effort was to contribute to the then existing paradigm in the field of mental health becoming more scientific. His research and exploration of the sciences across disciplines led to the recognition that psychoanalysis and the various personality theories derived from it lacked the capacity to move toward science.

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Why Make the Study of Bowen Theory a Life-long Learning Project?

Bowen theory is different from traditional theories of human behavior, and the practice that emerges from understanding and using the concepts in your personal and professional life are sometimes counter-intuitive. Michael Kerr, MD makes the important point in his most recent book, Bowen Theory’s Secrets, Revealing the Hidden Life of Families, that Bowen theory is descriptive, not prescriptive. The theory describes what people actually do, not what they should do. According to Kerr, “The theory is an attempt to move toward a science of human behavior, a theory based on verifiable functional facts about human behavior that can make predictions” (Page 166).

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