Adams and Backus

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Running head: ADAMS AND BACKUS & CHAPIAN A Critique of Two Theoretical Models: How to help people change by Dr. Jay E. Adams and Telling yourself the truth by Dr. William Backus and Marie Chapian xxxxxxxxx Liberty University A Critique of Two Theoretical Models: How to help people change by Dr. Jay E. Adams and Telling yourself the truth by Dr. William Backus and Marie Chapian Backus and Chapian discuss how negative thinking is the cause of most negative actions and behaviors. Backus offers a biblically based theory that is developed from Proverbs and other scriptures that emphasize the power of thought and how it affects the development or self. Backus discusses how the thoughts of individuals are the most significant factors of influence on your mental and emotional life (17). Backus gives negative thoughts or misbeliefs credit for most if not all inappropriate behaviors in one’s life. The theory may have some validity in its basis but the idea that it is the all-encompassing answer to mental health problems and inappropriate behaviors encourages the belief that the theory has some serious errors. Changing negative thoughts to positive thoughts can be a powerful and effective tool of change Backus refers to this change as “truth”. Changing misbeliefs to “truth” may be effective for an individual who has a normal thought process and is able to master some of the techniques prescribed in this theory. Yet, the idea of telling a clinically depressed, schizophrenic, or an obsessive-compulsive person to use the power of thought alone to change their action or state of being seems unrealistic. Backus seems to ignore the idea that behavior development is influenced by more than thought alone. Backus at best minimize some serious elements of human development, cognitive thought process and mental health issues. Their statement that

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