Episode 7: From Behaviorism to Developmental Theory (Gordon Neufeld)

How did attachment-based developmental theory emerge? And why isn’t it enough to focus only on what works in practice, but also necessary to understand the theory that explains human behavior?

In this episode of Making Sense of People , we talk with Canadian psychologist Gordon Neufeld about his professional journey from behaviorism to attachment-based developmental theory. Gordon shares his experiences working with adolescents in juvenile detention, which gradually revealed the limits of prevailing psychological theories and led him to seek a deeper understanding of human development.

We discuss what is essential for healthy development, the role of relationships in therapy and education, and the difference between evidence-based practice and theory. This episode offers a deeper understanding of the developmental approach, its theoretical foundations, and how it can be applied not only in professional practice but also in everyday life and in relationships with those around us.

Guest: Gordon Neufeld

Join us at the Emotional Well-Being Conference celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Neufeld Institute: ⁠⁠ https://neufeldinstitut.cz/emotional-well-being-conference-2026/⁠⁠

Hosts: Lina Vizelman, Xenie Majznerová

Music: Erik Grom (Lina Vizelman’s son)

This episode is also available in Czech.