ABSTRACT
Use of various confrontation techniques for psychological disclosure is standard procedure for Adlerian-trained counselors and therapists. The purpose of confrontation is to reveal the “private logic” of the client. Private logic may be defined as goals, mistaken ideas and attitudes toward life, and hidden reasons that people use to justify behavior. Adler consistently emphasized the difference between private logic and common sense (Dreikurs, 1973). It also is basic Adlerian theory that the individual is not aware of goals as they exist in the unconscious (Ansbacher & Ansbacher, 1964). Dreikurs also made the point that all private logic comprises the unconscious, thus inferring the necessity to develop techniques for the counselor to assist the client in becoming aware of unconscious, private logic via confrontation. Dreikurs further delineated three psychological processes, all of which are part of the private logic: (a) immediate goals of the current situation (i.e., four mistaken goals of misbehavior, which also are embedded in the long-range goals); (b) hidden reasons, which are justifications for current thought and action; and (c) the long-range goals of the lifestyle.
