Annika Gieselmann

When you have to climb downhill to reach the top: The effect of action versus state orientation on solving a goal-subgoal conflict in the Tower of Hanoi task

Complex problems often include a response conflict between a subgoal and a final goal. The present experiment investigated the roles of situational demands and individual differences in self-regulation on solving goal-subgoal conflicts in a computerized Tower of Hanoi task. Action-oriented versus state-oriented individuals were randomly assigned to a demanding condition in which they deliberated about a personal decision problem, or to a nondemanding control condition. In line with expectations state-oriented individuals had greater difficulties to solve goal-subgoal conflicts in the demanding compared to the nondemanding condition. Action-oriented individuals performed well in both conditions. In line with Personality Systems Interactions theory (Kuhl, 2000) the findings show that complex problem solving depends on how well people are able to deal with situational demands.

The Effects of an Internet-Based Imagery Rehearsal Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Nightmares are extremely dysphoric dreams, which are prevalent and associated with psychological strain. This study investigated (a) the efficacy of an internet-based imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT), (b) the role of imagery rescription, and (c) the role of guidance during internet-based IRT. Methods: A total of 127 patients suffering from mainly idiopathic nightmares were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 IRT internet-based groups (guided IRT; unguided IRT) or to 1 of 2 active control groups (frequency control group; narrative control group). Results: IRT was more effective than a nightmare frequency control condition with respect to nightmare frequency and nightmare distress. Compared to the narrative control group, IRT was only superior in improving nightmare distress but not in nightmare frequency because the narrative control group also improved regarding nightmare frequency. Guidance by a nightmare coach did not affect efficacy, compliance, or dropout. Conclusion: Internet-based IRT seems to be an effective treatment even when offered with minimal guidance by a nightmare coach. Describing the nightmare narrative in detail already decreased nightmare frequency. However, with regard to inducing decreases in nightmare frequency and nightmare distress, IRT was superior to the narrative control group. The results are discussed with reference to the mastery hypothesis.

Offender-nightmares: Two pilot studies.

Being the victim of an aggressor in nightmares is quite common for most persons, but there are also nightmares where the dream-self can become the offender. Two studies were conducted in two nonclinical samples of participants with frequent nightmares to investigate the so-called offender-nightmares. Study 1 served to assess the frequency of offender-nightmares in persons with frequent nightmares and the motives and actions in these dreams during a 28-day interval, whereas in Study 2, correlations to personality variables were investigated. The results indicate that the occurrence of offender-nightmares is not negligible; about 18% to 28% of the reported nightmares were classified as offender-nightmares. Most of the aggressive acts in these dreams were intentional, and killing a person was the most prominent offender’s act, with self-defense being the most common motive. Persons with offender-nightmares were also found to have been more violent in the past than persons without offender-nightmares and persons without nightmares. In addition, they scored higher in neuroticism and aggression, reported more creative achievements than persons without nightmares, and had more creative achievements than persons without offender-nightmares. The results suggest that offender-nightmares are rather common in people who frequently have nightmares and that these dreams are related to aggressiveness, creativity, and previous violent experiences.

Therapieziel Motivkongruenz: Eine Kasuistik

Die gängigen Behandlungsmanuale zur Therapie der Sozialen Phobie legen einen großen Schwerpunkt auf die Durchführung von Verhaltensexperimenten. Jedoch ist das Methodenspektrum dieses störungsspezifischen Ansatzes wesentlich begrenzter, wenn sich ein Patient nicht auf Verhaltensexperimente einlassen will und kann. Im Rahmen dieser Kasuistik wird die Behandlung eines 23-jährigen sozialphobischen Patienten mit komorbider ängstlich (vermeidender) Persönlichkeitsstörung beschrieben, in der ergänzend zu den gängigen verhaltenstherapeutischen Manualen auf störungsübergreifende Rationale von Grawe und Kuhl zurückgegriffen wurde. Der anfänglich gezeigte Widerstand des Patienten wurde als Ausdruck von Inkonsistenzerleben und Selbstentfremdung verstanden. Die Falldarstellung zeigt, dass die Behandlung profitiert, wenn der Patient frustrierte Grundbedürfnisse und Erwartungen des sozialen Umfelds, die nicht zu den eigenen Motiven passen, besser erkennt und lernt, entsprechend gegenzusteuern.

PSAS - Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale - deutsche Fassung

1985 (PSAS, englischsprachige Originalfassung); 2012 (PSAS, deutsche Fassung); Open Access; Kognitive Erregung; Unkontrollierbare Kognitionen; Schlafqualitat; 15 Items; Skalen: 1 Kognitive Erregung, 2 Korperliche Erregung