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Pragmatics of Human Communication: A Study of Interactional Patterns, Pathologies, and Paradoxes First Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 118 ratings
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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.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0393010090
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0393010091
  3. Edition
    First Edition
  4. Publisher
    W. W. Norton & Company
  5. Publication date
    March 17, 1967
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    5.9 x 1.1 x 8.6 inches
  8. Print length
    296 pages
  9. See all details
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Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

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

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company; First Edition (March 17, 1967)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 296 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0393010090
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0393010091
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.06 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.9 x 1.1 x 8.6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 118 ratings

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  1. Janet Beavin Bavelas

    Janet Beavin Bavelas

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
118 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Claude
5.0 out of 5 stars A surprising great, readable, and useful academic work
Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2004
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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!
41 people found this helpful
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Charli
5.0 out of 5 stars "VERY GOOD" BOOK TURNED OUT TO BE NOT LIKE NEW--NEW!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2022
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SIX STARS!! Ordered a "Very Good" book and received a "Like New? book. It does not get any better.
One person found this helpful
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Peter Grantham
4.0 out of 5 stars Order was completed ahead of time
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2023
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Book was described,& service was prompt.
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Rich
5.0 out of 5 stars Why are we here?
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2006
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Ever heard of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert Pirsig? Well, POHC goes even further - towards a mathematical truth about our very existence. This book is far more than its title suggests. Quite simply it is the second most important book I've EVER read... and Pirsig's is not the first, either.

The last chapter of this book, which I first read over 30 years ago, and still remember to this day, is a true stunner, especially the last sentence. The truth therein is timeless. When I finished it, I remained seated for a very long time, contemplating a cosmic truth which has never dimmed.
21 people found this helpful
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Jan Lelie
5.0 out of 5 stars Please do not read this review..
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2008
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This is not a review on pragmatics of human communication, it is a review on a book. This might be an imperative read when you're working with human beings and/or when you're a pragmatist, but you'd probably already knew everything in it. This is no book for the communication specialist: it will be too disturbing. There is no 'sender', 'no channel' and 'no reciever' in the bbok. It also has no 'message'. It is also not recommended for people who do not want to change. Finally, it is not for lay people, because it is better to live in ignorance than know that a conversation in basically about nothing.
5 people found this helpful
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Dove J.
5.0 out of 5 stars are witty and funny throughout. I love this text
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2016
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This book is a game-changer for anyone wanting to understand pervasive human behaviors that are hard to decode or redirect. The authors, all forefathers of modern family systems therapy from the MRI group, are witty and funny throughout. I love this text. Buy the 'antique' version instead of the contemporary- the older version from the 60's has an extremely detailed expanded table of contents that makes it very easy to find particular concepts as needed, but the modern version does not.
11 people found this helpful
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C. J. Clavadetscher
5.0 out of 5 stars SEMINAL and LIFE SHAPING
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2013
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Pragmatics of Human Communication: A Study of Interactional Patterns, Pathologies and Paradoxes is one of the truly formative works in my personal and academic life, Conceptually rich, enjoyably illustrated, a great read cover to cover, There's a chapter which focuses on the communications lessons and paradigms of Who Is Afraid of Virginia Wolf that I wish I had digitally because I'd post for the world to enjoy. This book has sold "zillions" of copies for a reason.I love it.
3 people found this helpful
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jaydynomite
3.0 out of 5 stars Not Practical for Therapy
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2023
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I understand that this has been the gold standard in therapy for the last half century, but it is nothing more than semantic claptrap that in no way helps clients. Good for a philosophy class, terrible in practice.
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Alexander White
5.0 out of 5 stars Paradoxes are to be expected
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 10, 2023
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Awesome. You need to read Watzlawick's. "Change" first and maybe Bateson's "ecology of Mind" if you can. These all compliment each other. Final chapters on paradox a real joy. They stand on their own two feet but are even more rewarding if you have read the other books first.
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Luis Ignacio Tellez Sainz
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente producto
Reviewed in Mexico on March 12, 2020
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El libro llegó en buen estado y a un muy buen precio. Hubo problemas con el envío, pero se resolvió al final.
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rango mauro
5.0 out of 5 stars E' uno strumento indispensabile, non solo per la professione ma per la vita
Reviewed in Italy on October 9, 2018
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Ho letto questo libro perchè interessato alla terapia sistemica. Ritengo che questo libro, congiuntamente a Mente e Natura di Bateson dovrebbe essere oggetto di esamepreliminare per politici, medici, psicologi: tutte le professioni che possono arrecare danni al prossimo. Coloro che non lo passano dovrebbero dedicarsi ad attività manuali innocue.
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Prince of Wealth　
5.0 out of 5 stars 人類の宝というべき秀逸なコミュニケーション論
Reviewed in Japan on March 15, 2010
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残念ながら2007年に85歳で亡くなられたポール・ウァツラウィック博士の往年の名著
であり人類の宝言っても言い過ぎではないほどの良書であると個人的には考えている。

博士は、人類学者のグレゴリー・ベイトソンとカリフォルニア州のパロアルトに現存する
MRIの研究者として席を並べ、ベイトソンのダブルバインドを含めた人間のコミュニケー
ションに関して体系化、理論化したわけであるが、その洞察は非常に深淵であり現在でも
参考になることは多いと考えている。

本書の裏表紙にも、博士が教鞭を取られていたスタンフォード大学のメディカル・スクール
の先生２人が推薦を書いているということもあり、とにかく人間のコミュニケーションの理論
や実践について本物を求める方にはお薦めの書籍であると考えている。
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Kunde
5.0 out of 5 stars A fundamental book to read for anyone
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 13, 2021
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Whether you're in communications, psychology, marketing, sales, buddhism, marxism, totalitarianism it doesn't really matter. This book will highlight some of the key principles involved in any human to human situation and will probably clarify some of the situations where you have previously found yourself.

There's some deconstructionism and semantics in here that could flow over to rational emotive therapy methods - doesn't matter, the book is rich in content and you will come across the ideas in many of your favorite contemporary writers' books.

It is slightly more academic in style - not like Harry Potter - so you will need to pay attention.
One person found this helpful
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