Pragmatics of Human Communication: A Study of Interactional Patterns, Pathologies, and Paradoxes [Hardcover]

Paul Watzlawick (Author), Janet Helmick Beavin (Author), M.D. Don D. Jackson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0393010090 | ISBN-13: 978-0393010091 | Publication Date: March 17, 1967 | Edition: 1St Edition

In this study of pragmatic (behavioral) effects of human communication, disturbed behavior is seen as a communicative reaction to a particular situation rather than evidence of the disease of an individual mind.

Communication is a relationship that is qualitatively different from the "properties" of the individuals involved.

After defining certain general concepts, the authors present basic characteristics of human communication and illustrate their manifestations and potential pathologies. Then the systemic aspects of human interactions that arise from the patterning of specific characteristics of communication are exemplified by the analysis of Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

They then extend it to psychotherapeutic double binds and the technique of "prescribing the symptom." In conclusion, they postulate about man's communication with reality in the existential sense.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paul Watzlawick was an associate at the Mental Research Institute, Palo Alto, and clinical professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, Stanford University Medical Center. An internationally known psychologist, Watzlawick died in 2007.

Janet Beavin Bavelas is a professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Victoria.

The late Don D. Jackson was a founder and director of the Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto, California, and associate professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine. He was coauthor, with Paul Wazlawick and Janet Beavin Bavelas, of Pragmatics of Human Communication.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1St Edition edition (March 17, 1967)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393010090
• ISBN-13: 978-0393010091
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,953 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on communication ever written., August 23, 1999

By 

Prof. R. Paris (Arlington, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pragmatics of Human Communication: A Study of Interactional Patterns, Pathologies, and Paradoxes (Hardcover)

I read this book some 30 years ago, as a graduate student. I was then highly impressed by its cogency and readability. Rereading it now, I have nothing to change in my highest rating of this unusual book. Now that I am going back to teaching, I will certainly use it if there is a Spanish translation available. I have read other works by Watzlawick, but this one remains without a doubt his best. I wish he'd write a new edition, since I am sure he's accumulated countless experiences and ideas in the years that have elapsed. I highly recommend this book to all people interested in interaction and communication.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A surprising great, readable, and useful academic work, February 29, 2004

By 

Claude (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pragmatics of Human Communication: A Study of Interactional Patterns, Pathologies, and Paradoxes (Hardcover)

This book has the trappings of a typical academic, scholarly work, with ten zillion references and each chapter broken down into sections (1.1, 1.2, etc.) discussing a specific topic in each section. By section 1.2 (not far into the book!), I was becoming put off, because the author launched into a discussing of "the mathematical concept of functions." As I "sat through" this explanation, I was wondering "why the hell am I reading about mathematical function in a book titled the Pragmatics of Communication." Still, I stuck with it, and later in the book, the author tied everything together. I stuck with it because the book is so readable, and the points the author makes are so eye-opening, that I truly enjoyed reading it. I suspect you will, to, regardless of the level of your interest in academic or scholarly works! One thing about a great book - you get an appetite for more! Unfortunately, based on other reviewers comments, other Watzlawick works do not rise to the level shown here, so if you have to chose one, chose this one!

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do not miss it, March 18, 1999

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[e-mail] (Nantes, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pragmatics of Human Communication: A Study of Interactional Patterns, Pathologies, and Paradoxes (Hardcover)

How could I be the first person to rate this universal masterpiece? This is one of the 5 to 10 books that should be read by everybody. It has some absolute value, regardless of the historical or personal contingencies of the reader. If you miss it it will only be your fault...