This essay first summarizes an overarching theory of cognitive organization and development. This theory claims that the human mind involves (1) several specialized structural systems dealing with different domains of relations in the environment, (2) a central representational capacity system, (3) general inferential processes, and (4)…

For Gadamer, understanding moves between two different levels. One is the everyday ontological level in which there is a meeting between the familiar and the alien, between the known and the not-quite-expected. But understanding can also be a skill to be developed. This is the way in which we achieve good knowledge. In pedagogical terms,…

Despite impressive advances in recent years with respect to theory and research, personality psychology has yet to articulate clearly a comprehensive framework for understanding the whole person. In an effort to achieve that aim, the current article draws on the most promising empirical and theoretical trends in personality psychology today to…

The study of emotion as discourse not only eliminates objections about the individual psychology of students, it also connects researchers to methods that go beyond reflection and self-reporting. In this article, the author pursues these ideas within the context of a college composition course where students experienced a particularly high level…

The content and process of individual psychological testing can facilitate family therapy goals. Relevant research on the Barnum effect is reviewed, and an illustrative case is presented. (Author)

Client self-disclosure is conceptualized as an interpersonal risk. Risk factors and a model designed to help counselors understand clients who are reluctant to self-disclosure are described. (Author)

Three main concepts relating to risk recreation are: (1) understanding how an individual evaluates a recreational activity; (2) understanding that the reasons individuals initially participate in risk recreation may be different from those which perpetuate participation; and (3) understanding that factors other than the individuals and the…

This paper reviews the theoretical and research foundations for the Q sort procedure. Steps in the development of Q sort instruments are described and a model for the practical use of Q sort results in counseling is developed. The Q sort is the client's own description of himself. (Author)

Although the "self psychology" theories of Heinz Kohut tend to neglect gender, they hold promise for feminist theory because they avoid some problems and limitations of the object-relations theory, especially its conflation of femininity with heterosexuality and apparent closure to historical change. Feminist self-psychology theory, in…

Three studies of behavior therapy by a therapist who was also the clients' instructor are reported. All of the clients defined target behaviors, collected data, and implemented procedures to modify the behaviors. The data were brought to each session for analysis and revision each week. Case 1 reported modification of stealing behavior, where both…

This paper describes a treatment approach which uses hypnotherapy techniques in combination with assertive training and behavioral rehearsal. It discusses the use of this treatment with a client who exhibited psychogenic symptoms due to personal anxiety. At the beginning of the treatment the client was shy, non-assertive and extremely…

This paper presents a theoretical and clinical account of a psychotherapeutic approach to the aged. The approach is called "competent coping" therapy. It is oriented to helping older adults acquire and practice better adaptive strategies in handling problem situations. The author notes that unlike most work with older adults which is based largely…

Adlerians believe that change of any lasting value has a fundamental dependency on the client's awareness of how he incorrectly processes data in his life; he must develop the insight necessary to correct the errors in his life style. Also, the therapist must know the goals of the client's behavior in order to make relevant comments in therapy.…

Lists nine strategies that help students move from being an "unreflective thinker" to a "master thinker," discussing in detail the last five strategies: reshaping character; dealing with egocentrism; redefining the way to see things; getting in touch with emotions; and analyzing group influences on life. (PGS)

Various traditions within developmental science and psychology have concentrated on either personal or collective correlates as manifestations of well-being. The authors' claim is that the well-being of any one person is highly dependent on the well-being of her relationships and on the community in which she resides. Well-being may be defined as…