ABSTRACT
In this chapter the relationship that developed between Jack Mezirow and Roger Gould is discussed. Mezirow was influenced by Gould’s notion of psychic distortions that are rooted in early childhood traumas. Gould suggested that these traumas are transformed into psychic distortions that hinder change in adulthood. Mezirow embraced Gould’s idea of the internal obstacles to change and probably took into consideration Gould’s concept of the stages of change in his own theory of transformation. The two scholars also shared their concerns about the role and boundaries of psychotherapy and adult education in relation to perspective transformation. The bibliographic references cited by Mezirow to Gould’s work are not extensive. However, one should not undermine the value and significance of their meeting and the development of a bond that is probably based more on sharing experiences than on academic writings.
