The phenomenon of quantum change.
Journal of clinical psychology May 1, 2004 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1002/jclp.20000 via PubMed
Summary
Quantum change describes sudden, dramatic, and lasting transformations in a person's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. This phenomenon has been recognized since early psychology, notably by William James. Such changes can happen within or outside therapy and share common features. This overview describes the essential features, two qualitative subtypes, antecedents, course, and the nature of the enduring changes that follow.
Study at a glance
| Design | review |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Quantum change is a sudden, dramatic, and enduring transformation affecting a broad range of personal emotion, cognition, and behavior, occurring both within and outside psychotherapy. |
Abstract
Quantum change-the subject of this issue of In Session-refers to sudden, dramatic, and enduring transformations that affect a broad range of personal emotion, cognition, and behavior. This phenomenon has been described since the beginnings of psychology, most notably by William James in Varieties of Religious Experience. Quantum changes occur both within and (mostly) outside the context of psychotherapy and show certain common features in both process and content. This introduction provides an overview of the phenomenon of quantum change, describing its essential features, two qualitative subtypes, antecedents, course, and the nature of the enduring changes that ensue.