title: Why rational people do irrational things. The theory of psychological reversals.
abstract: 1. The theory of psychological reversals holds that individuals are inherently inconsistent and that they reverse between metamotivational states. Four pair states have been identified: telic/paratelic; negativistic/conformist; mastery/sympathy; autocentric/allocentric. 2. Individuals interpret motivational variables in different ways depending on the metamotivational states in effect at the time. 3. Health-care providers should recognize that reversals between states are necessary for mental health and they should make allowances for such reversals in their health-care recommendations.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Kansas, Kansas City 66103.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: O'Connell
mesh_terms: D000533:Altruism; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D004532:Ego; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009042:Motivation; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012930:Social Dominance