Franklin Vernon provided an example of how programs viewing themselves as "cultural islands" are in fact embedded within historical capitalist relations, through the discourses of "self" that they promote. In this response, I expand on Vernon's argument to situate the quasi-therapeutic practices he identified in the history of…

The present study investigated a six-week multicultural personal growth group as a pedagogical strategy to support first-year graduate counseling students' (N = 20) levels of ethnic identity development (Phinney & Ong, 2007) and social-cognitive maturity (Hy & Loevinger, 1996). Students' levels of ethnic identity and social-cognitive development…

A developmental approach to teaching about aging can help make students sensitive to the needs of the elderly. Such an approach emphasizes individual differences in the aging process and the uniqueness of personal experience, helps student experience physical changes of aging, and encourages attitude change through interaction. (SK)

Discusses three theories showing how aesthetic growth through participation in creative activity can exercise the kinds of abilities that make cross-cultural communication possible. These theories are (1) appreciation of individual differences; (2) growth from past experiences; and (3) understanding the feelings of others. (CT)

Considers the fundamental premises of the person-centered basic encounter group. Groups are considered unusual insofar as the focus is on the individuals in the groups, each becoming empowered to allow inner potential to develop and to move in a constructive direction. The counselor facilitates such growth: client-centered therapy is a way of…

This study assessed Egan's hypothesis that a contract, spelling out in advance sensitivity group goals and member behaviors, facilitates positive interaction and interpersonal growth. Although results were not definitive, the contract group did seem to receive some additional benefits from sensitivity training, when compared to the non-contract…

Compares three popular approaches to experiential learning with respect to purpose, philosophy, format, leadership, language, and strategy. Each is uniquely designed to elicit highly emotional involvement, confessions of failure in the past and immediate present, and attempts to communicate with integrity. (JMF)