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Why rational people do irrational things. The theory of psychological reversals
1School of Nursing, University of Kansas, Kansas City 66103.
Abstract:
1. The theory of psychological reversals holds that individuals are inherently inconsistent and that they reverse between metamotivational states. Four pair states have been identified: telic/paratelic; negativistic/conformist; mastery/sympathy; autocentric/allocentric. 2. Individuals interpret motivational variables in different ways depending on the metamotivational states in effect at the time. 3. Health-care providers should recognize that reversals between states are necessary for mental health and they should make allowances for such reversals in their health-care recommendations.
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