David G. Rice

Therapist Sex, Style, And Theoretical Orientation

Self-report questionnaires of rated in-therapy behaviors, demographic characteristics, and theoretical ascriptions were analyzed for 86 therapists (47 males and 39 females) with diverse backgrounds and experience levels. “Style” factors obtained for this sample were compared with those from a previous sample of predominantly male therapists. The results indicated: a) a relatively consistent set of style factors relating to self-reported in-therapy behaviors emerging from the two therapist samples; b) significant style differences between male and female therapists—women therapists report themselves to be more varying in their therapy behavior, less “anonymous” in therapy, and more judgmental; c) experienced therapists are more oriented toward historical material, show more varied in-therapy behavior, and place more emphasis on feelings than inexperienced therapists; and d) the theoretical orientation of the therapist is related to differences in self-reported in-therapy behaviors, along somewhat stereotyped lines. In addition, co-therapists in the sample described the in-therapy behavior of each other. Using this procedure, evidence was obtained for the generalizability of self-reported to other-described in-therapy behaviors.

Characteristics of couples with poor outcome in dialysis home training

Abstract Certain emotional reaction patterns of the couple , (rather than just that of the patient, as stated by Shea) [18] to the need for chronic dialysis may represent the greatest obstacle for successful rehabilitation. A selection procedure which considers the response of a spouse as part of a functional unit will enhance the chances of success, at least in the initial training. From this study several observations seem important. First, older couples generally handle the stress and demands of home training less well. Secondly, couples who respond to stress similarly (the identifiers) have more difficulty; in particular, this holds when the patient has a strong tendency toward excessive denial, dependency or regression. Conversely some hostility or anger on the part of the spouse may enhance rather than detract patient adaption to dialysis training and actually improve the chances of successful rehabilitation. Both of these factors may be of help in the successful selection of couples and prediction of a successful course of training for home dialysis.

Eye rubbing in blind children: application of a sensory deprivation model.

Eye rubbing is one of the stereotyped behaviors occurring in blind children and is of concern to those who work toward the acceptance and adjustment of the blind in the sighted world. It is relevant to other issues, such as child development, sensory deprivation, and “critical periods.” Confirmatory evidence for hypotheses drawn from sensory and social deprivation studies was found; children with capacity for only minimal, unpatterned visual input were rated significantly higher in eye rubbing than either the totally blind or those with more usable, patterned vision. An additional finding, that similar significant differences persisted but in diminished degree in older children compared to younger, was related to both training effects and “critical period” concepts.

Rorschach Responses and Aggressive Characteristics of MMPI F>16 Scorers

Summary Psychiatric patients with MMPI F>16 scores (E group) were matched with patients having similar diagnosis but F scores of 3-12 (C group) to assess personality characteristics of high F scorers. In Experiment I, E and C group Rorschachs showed no significant differences on formal scored characteristics. E group patients marked a significantly greater number of “obvious” than “subtle” MMPI items. In Experiment II, there was no significant E and C group difference in Rorschach aggressive content. Data from the hospital charts indicated that F>16 scorers had a significantly higher frequency of overt, actively directed anger and suicidal behavior plus a greater total incidence of hostile behavior across a variety of categories.

Female Hitchhiking: Strain, Control, and Subcultural Approaches

Sociological explanations of why individuals engage in deviant behavior are of predominatly three forms: strain or motivational theories, control theories, and subcultural theories (Hirschi, 1971). Motivational theories, such as Mertons (1962) well known anomie theory, focus on factors which motivate an individual to engage in deviant behavior. Control theories center on factors which maintain an individuals conforming behaviors (cf. Reiss, 1951). Subcultural theories, such as Sutherlands theory of differential association, suggest that deviant individuals are conforming to non-conventional group norms (Sutherland and Cressey, 1966). While these theories have been largely applied to juvenile delinquency and adult crime, their broad arguments can usefully structure sociological investigations of a wide range of deviant and quasi-deviant behaviors. In the study of female hitchhiking reported here, these three broad ap proaches served to locate possible explanatory factors and guide the analysis. In the eyes of many U.S. citizens, hitchhiking by females is viewed as a morally questionable behavior which may serve to impugn the reputation of the hitchhiker. Beyond these informal views about the impropriety of female hitchhiking are various laws and practices designed to curb hitchhiking. For example, laws prohibiting or regulating hitchhiking exist in some areas, and practices persist such as insurance company rules limiting coverage of persons who assist hitch hikers. Thus in both a moral and legal sense female hitchhiking and especially women hitchhiking alone can be heuristically and usefully conceptualized as quasi-deviant behavior. Despite popular reports of the increase of hitchhiking in the United States, the authors could not find any professional literature attempting either to describe or explain solo or group female hitchhiking. In at least two states known to the authors, law enforcement officers have in vestigated hitchhiking in an effort to understand and curb it. In one Mid western city with a substantial and rising rape rate, female hitchhiking has been actively discouraged by the police because a sizable minority of known rape victims are females hitchhiking alone. Yet despite this recent

Comparative diagnostic judgments from the Rorschach and the MMPI.

Summary Three experienced psychologists made diagnostic judgments from the Rorschach, the MMPI, and gave an overall diagnostic impression for 50 male and 48 female patients. Judgment on the first test viewed was given before looking at the second test. Order of viewing the tests and sex of patient were counterbalanced. The results indicated (a) the judges consistently rated the tests on a given individual as agreeing on diagnostic impression significantly more often than disagreeing; (b) interjudge agreement was low but significant for the MMPI and overall impressions, not significant for the Rorschach impressions; (c) in cases of disagreement, there was a highly significant tendency for the Rorschach to be seen as indicating more pathology than the MMPI.