Prototypical Affective Microsequences in Psychotherapeutic Interaction

Abstract

In this article a new approach for the microanalytic study of cognitive-affective regulatory processes in psychotherapeutic interaction is presented. Of central importance are the communicative components of affective regulatory processes that are directly observable, particularly facial expressions which were coded with the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) by Ekman and Friesen (1978). These data are represented graphically in the form of a process pilot and related to theoretical concepts about affective regulatory processes in such a way that an integrated model of the affective regulatory processes can be formulated for selected sequences. Such sequences are designated prototypical affective microsequences. Their role in the affective regulation of client-therapist interaction is worked out and discussed by means of an example. It can be shown that so-called successful microsequences with often-recurring smiles and laughter of both client and therapist are necessary to give the client a basic sense of security, thus enabling productive work.

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