Approaches divorce from a combined family systems, individual life cycle and stage theory of development perspective. Recommends that therapy encompass interventions that are likely to be the most effective in the various stages rather than be a rigid adherence to one dogma. Several illustrative case vignettes are presented. (JAC)

Suggests that if adolescence is viewed more broadly as a period of growing into maturity, a brief examination of life-span development reveals that adolescences also occur in other life periods. These periods present challenges of personal adjustment and are necessary transitions toward self-actualization. (JAC)

The article explores the dilemma of young gifted children (ages 4-8 years) in the evolution and resolution of their own system of morality. The author explains that research and observation has revealed a systematic appearance and disappearance of magical thinking (the hallmark of the onset of reasoning) in four stages. (PHR)

This report presents a dialectical model of identity development which is based on observations of how the self evolves within the context of feminist/transpersonal therapy. Developmental stages which are identified include fusion (Stage I), differentiation (Stage II), and integration (Stage III) of the Child (asserting) and Parent (nurturing)…

Discusses the influence of development on divorce, and presents a diaclectic model of divorce stages. Suggests mediation as an alternative dispute resolution strategy and describes contraindications for both mediation and the adversarial approach. (JAC)

Contends that deficient social skills may be primary contributor to chronic loneliness during adolescents and that inability to monitor and reflect on behavior may promote development of social, affective, and behavioral problems characteristic of chronic loneliness. Sees some instances of chronic loneliness being understood in terms of…

University professors teaching pre-service teachers base much of their philosophies on theories. Students often ask "Why do we have theories?" "What is the purpose of theories?" "If we like a theory, do we have to use all of the theory?" The most frequent controversial issue is how to use a particular theory in a practical way. In the quest for…

The authors discuss the concept of life-world. Transformation of the life-world is analyzed and three developmental stages are distinguished: (1) the self-evident, (2) the threatened, and (3) the transformed life-world. The importance of this transformation in relation to adult education is explored and the developmental stages related to the…

Proposes a five-stage processing model, the Contextual Organization Model for Processing and Evaluation (COMPE), based on an analysis of stage theories in group development. The five potentially universal stages have been shown to have an analogous relationship to the stages of theories in many fields of psychology. (JAC)

Outlines relationship between crises that create stress in one's life and periods of instability in moral development. Suggests that stressful issues are more difficult to resolve during periods of developmental instability and that, when problems are most stressful, people often experience impact of stress physiologically. Reconstructs stress and…

Summarizes the events at the summit conference at Camp David in 1978 that led to a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, using a day-by-day account based on published records and interviews with participants. The phases of group development are analyzed from a functional perspective. (JAC)

Presents the second part of a report on the matrix model for the study of small groups considering implications of the model and its translation into operational terms. Addresses primary group tasks such as identity formation, modes of relating, and reality adaptation. (LLL)

Applies Erikson's life cycle conception of ego integrity versus despair in old age to three octogenarian women: Augusta Turnley (fiction), Florida Scott-Maxwell, and Arie Carpenter. Both dialectical struggle in Erikson's model of old age and specific components of ego integrity, despair, and wisdom are made concrete in theoretical exploration of…

Submits that useful quantitative measure of aging is provided by measures of athletic performance. Describes development of model for top athletic performance and for performance of any person at any age. Explains that model shows that athletic performance undergoes significant changes at certain ages and that these change points break the aging…

Presents a case study of a four-year-old girl who had pulled out all her hair. The child's responsiveness to play therapy is described, and implications for the use of play therapy in school counseling situations are described. (JAC)