About Reversal Theory

“The primary aim of reversal theory is to show that the various aspects of a wide range of types of experience and behaviour may be explained with reference to certain pairs of states and reversals which occur between them.” (Apter, 1982).

Reversal theory emerged in the early 1970s, created and developed by K. C. P. Smith and M. J. Apter, in order to account for observations of psychological, emotional and motivational states reversals, in child and family clinics.

This early work led to the description of a dynamic system, based on the concept of the “reversal:” the switching between opposed motivational states. For example, you can eat being serious and pursuing a goal in eating, or being in a spirit of seeking pleasure in the moment. Thus, “serious, future-oriented” and “playful, focused on the present” are two possible (and opposite) motivational states that can be associated with the activity of eating.

The theory is structured around four domains of experience, each corresponding to two opposed motivational states.

The theory was presented in public for the first time at a conference in Bristol, England, in 1975. In 1983, an international working group was formed, the Reversal Theory Society, which holds an international conference every two years.

Interest in Reversal Theory has led to many scientific articles, books, chapters in books, and academic dissertations (doctoral dissertations for the most part).

Visit the Reversal Theory website http://www.reversaltheory.org/:  a resource for researchers, practitioners, and students interested in the ideas and tools of Reversal Theory. The website provides background information about reversal theory, a current bibliography, upcoming conference information, and ways to contact others with interest in the theory.

JOURNAL OF MOTIVATION, EMOTION, AND PERSONALITY: REVERSAL THEORY STUDIES

The Editorial board of the Journal of Motivation, Emotion, and Personality: Reversal Theory Studies (JMEP) is pleased to announce the publication of the first electronic issue. This is an open access, peer reviewed journal designed to focus on research and applications work involving the use of Reversal Theory. Please go online to http://reversaltheory.net/journal/issue-index/ to view the first issue articles.

We also would like to announce a call for papers for the second and third issues of JMEP. The second issue will be a special issue focused on RT in the realm of design psychology and will include a guest editor. If you would like to submit a theme-relevant piece, the deadline for submission for the second issue is May 15th. We anticipate the publication of the 2nd issue in September 2013. We are also now accepting submissions of any kind, on any RT topic (see author guidelines on the JMEP website) for the 3rd issue. The deadline for submissions for the third issue will be Oct 15, 2013, with an anticipated publication date of February 2014. Please consider submitting your Reversal Theory focused manuscript to the Journal. Thank you!