Change: Principles of Problem Formation and Problem Resolution

I began to apply the insights from reading this book immediately in my workplace and in my practice. Wonderful piece.

This book was a required text for a course that I took for my MBA. It was an interesting read and very applicable even in today's business environment. I was able to apply ,Amy of the insights to things that are happening within my company and well as my personal life. The theoretical background in the first section was a but tough to follow but the exa,plea throughout the later sections were extremely helpful in understanding the underlying principles.

Written 34 years ago, "Change; Principles of Problem Formation and Problem Resolution" addresses the significant topic of Change in a manner as relevant, if not more so, than it was when the book was first published. This is not an easy book...it links the mathematical areas of Group Theory and Logical Types with different types of change...but it is well-worth the effort required to complete, understand and appreciate the book's messages. Terms such as "framing" and "reframing" are central to the ideas put forth in this book...these terms are frequently used today in leadership training and development courses. In an era where terms and buzzwords change frequently, I view the longevity of such terms as a testament to the lasting relevance of this book and its messages. I highly recommend this book to all readers. The book covers a topic...change...that intersects many areas of life. It is well worth a read.

If you are interested in facilitating change, this is a must read. I have been citing it extensively in my own writing.

Although I have seen this book referenced many times and read several summaries of its main tenets, I have only recently had the opportunity to read the entire book. I wish now that this book was required reading in my graduate counseling program because it is simply fantastic. The authors start with an esoteric theory of groups, classes, games without end, etc., and then move into application through several interesting clinical examples. In short, the basic idea is that there are two approaches to change; the simplistic, commonsense approach, which often blows up in our faces, or a "second-order" type of change where the assumptions around the problem are questioned. The most serious difficulties we run into in life require second-order change, yet we often chase our tails trying to solve them with "commonsense" solutions that go nowhere. This book is a primer for approaching problems in new ways. It is also a must read for counselors and coaches.

It’s a great book but it could have had more concrete implementation recommendations on change at different logical levels-and more deconstruction of the existing examples.

Watzlawick was an exceptional Western intellectual with an in depth & eclectic knowledge bases that made all his book unique. This wide grasp of diverse concepts can be witness in Change: Problem Formation & Resolution, with his lengthy footnotes, always fascinating & often taking a third or more on a page by the selves. Basing problem formation on the mathematical reasoning from Set Theory, & Russell & Whiteheads Theory of Logical Typing, human hubris, wherein we substage needless suffering on our selves. His four category taxonomy on problem formation involved 1) when the attempted solution becomes the problem ["we first raise the dust, then claim we can not see"], 2) when a problem is over-simplified, making a problematic pseudo solution [terrible simplifications], 3) when the proposed solution depends a utopia state[while we pursue the unattainable, we make impossible the realizable], & 4) Concerns various double-binds, pathological paradoxes & impossible dilemmas [all Cretans are liars, Epimenides of Create, 3rd cen.].

It seems an unfortunate reality that most therapies produce at best a management of client symptoms. This book provides a way of thinking about and creating change that will radically transform your client results.

Well written book with deep insights. This book helped me in my career advancement.

Einfach großartig. Macht Freude am lesen und inspiriert. Zeigt nicht nur Verhaltensmuster auf sondern zeigt auch wie man sie sprengen kann.

Amazing book, the introduction a bit rough but after page 50 or 60, the examples of human behaviour and the solutions found are just amazing. Counterintuitive, contrarian and paradoxical logics that open your moth. Wow ! This is psicological technology applied in the 70's, I am surprised their techniques are not used more often nowadays. If you want to become more persuasive, change yourself and maybe change others, ... read this book.

Aparte de que el libro ha llegado en excelentes condiciones y que conseguí con tremenda rebaja, he de afirmar que éste es un libro que no tuve la oportunidad de leer por completo en un curso de Terapia Familiar Sistémica, y ahora que lo tengo en mis manos, no puedo aguardar más para conocer las propuestas que Watzlawick y sus colegas proponen para la formulación y resolución de problemas a partir del modelo de terapia breve desarrollado en el MRI. Los tipos de cambio, la interrupción de secuencias y más, son contenidas en un breve pero bien desarrollado libro.

I've read a couple of books on insights but this one is the very basic one of all: simply explained in point to point chapters as well as keeping the context and the overall picture sharp. Well done. Magically written and in a way you would unravel a bunch of wires tangled up in several knots: piece by piece and always with the end in mind. Fantastic explanation of the construction of self reflecting pseudo solutions in problem forming actions: more of the same. Where the second level change creates the real solution: the one you might just not see on your radar within your frame of thinking. Absolute must for directors, managers and staff to create a better team in understanding each other and your Self.