A cultural perspective on resistance

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that unconscious cultural values are an unrecognized source of resistance. In this view, resistance may be result of conflict in a patient between unconscious cultural values and the values consciously espoused or, may result from conflicting (unconscious) cultural values held by therapist and patient. This sources of resistance may operate in situations in which therapist and patient share such parameters as race and class.