THE HUMAN COMMUNICATION AXIOMS IN PAUL WATZLAWICK, JANET BEAVIN, DON JACKSON AND THEIR RELATION TO SYSTEMIC FAMILY THERAPY

Abstract

This paper introduces an analysis of the human communication axioms proposed by Paul Watzlawick, Janet Beavin and Don Jackson in their book Teoría de la Comunicación Humana (Pragmatics of Human Communication) (1985), and on how they relate to Systemic Family Therapy. The research adopted a qualitative approach and prioritized a document strategy. The outcomes are displayed in two different categories: Human Communication Axioms and Systemic Family Therapy. Finally, the conclusion is that Systemic Family Therapy and Human Communication Axioms have an element in common in systems theory and human interactions, and that the praxis of a systemic therapist would be impossible without resorting to the use of communication axioms.