Though the concrete metaphor here is romantic relationships, Al is exploring the whole business of unrealistic beliefs, ideas, values, thoughts, assumptions, convictions and/or attitudes bandied about unconsciously in our culture and how we act (and feel) as a result of failing to identify, question and revise them.
The big names in print on this stuff are Albert Ellis, Aaron Beck, Wayne Dyer (who actually just ripped it off from the first two guys), Donald Meichenbaum, Jeffrey Young and Richard Wessler. The most modern therapy I know of for curing people of it is "SIQR." I actually did that therapy using the ideas Al laid out in the choruses in "Joining You." Quite an adventure.
Though the concrete metaphor here is romantic relationships, Al is exploring the whole business of unrealistic beliefs, ideas, values, thoughts, assumptions, convictions and/or attitudes bandied about unconsciously in our culture and how we act (and feel) as a result of failing to identify, question and revise them.
The big names in print on this stuff are Albert Ellis, Aaron Beck, Wayne Dyer (who actually just ripped it off from the first two guys), Donald Meichenbaum, Jeffrey Young and Richard Wessler. The most modern therapy I know of for curing people of it is "SIQR." I actually did that therapy using the ideas Al laid out in the choruses in "Joining You." Quite an adventure.