THE CONCEPT OF CRISIS AND MODALITIES OF CRISIS-INTERVENTION

Abstract

The conceptualization of crisis has direct import for the development of methodologies and, more specifically, technologies for crisis intervention. This paper discusses two general conceptualizations which dominate the contemporary crisis theory: the understanding of crisis as an inhibitory experience, and the understanding of crisis as a transformative opportunity. Depending on the conceptualizations, various interventions may be implemented for intervening in a particular crisis, whether they seek to remedy the inhibitory consequences of the crisis, or to ‘re-frame’ the context for approaching the crisis and thus, potentially, open up new avenues for using crisis as an opportunity to generate additional personal, organizational, or social growth. The paper proposes several conceptual solutions to the way crises are ordinarily understood, and demonstrates how these various concepts impact potential technical and broader methodological approaches to crisis-resolution.