Paul C. Vitz

Preference for tones as a function of frequency (hertz) and intensity (decibels)

An extension of the Wundt hypothesis concerning stimulus intensity and hedonic tone leads to the prediction that Ss prefer tones of intermediate frequency (hertz) and of intermediate intensity (decibels). In Experiment 1, tones varying from 60 to 5000 Hz were presented in a paired comparison procedure, and, as predicted, Ss′ preference was an inverted-U-shaped function of frequency, with the most preferred tones in the range of 400–750 Hz. In Experiment 2, tones varying in intensity from 40 to 90 dB were also presented in a paired comparison procedure, and again the predicted inverted-U-shaped preference function was found, with 50 dB as the preferred intensity. Related research and some unexpected findings are discussed.

Self-forgiveness in psychology and psychotherapy: a critique.

This critique proposes that self-forgiveness is a misleading and inaccurate concept for understanding the conditions to which it is applied. Besides the fact that traditional religion provides no rationale for self-forgiveness, four specific criticisms are presented. (1) Self-forgiveness causes splitting of the self—creating various problems. (2) It involves a conflict of interest between the self that judges and the self that is judged. (3) Through its extreme emphasis on the self, it promotes narcissism and appeals to narcissists. (4) Research indicates that interpersonal forgiveness and self or intrapersonal forgiveness involve different psychological processes. We conclude that self-acceptance is a more accurate and useful term for the process and benefits attributed to self-forgiveness.

Predicting the judged “similarity of sound” of english words

In six experiments subjects rated the “similarity of sound” of pairs of words. The words varied from three to nine phonemes, and from one to three syllables. A model is proposed to account for the ratings which assumes the subject codes each word into a string of phonemes and computes a distance between the phoneme strings. The predicted phonemic distances correlated highly with rated similarity. Revisions of the model using distinctive features failed to improve the predictions, suggesting that factors at a level below phonemes are not important in judgments of word sound similarity. However, a revision using consonant and vowel phoneme clusters did improve the predictions. Evidence for rhyme, alliteration, stress, and serial position effects is also presented.

Kernbergian Psychodynamics and Religious Aspects of the Forgiveness Process

The concept of forgiveness is defined and placed in an object relations framework of Otto Kernberg and of John Gartner. The latter presents an interpretation involving the overcoming of splitting which is a kind of proto-forgiveness applicable for treating borderline patients. Given this context, a model of five stages in the forgiveness process is outlined. These stages are adapted from Linn and Linn (1978) and from Kernberg (1992). It is proposed that the crucial last stage requires more than self-acceptance. Specifically, recovery from genuine harm done to others or the self (real guilt) requires repentance and forgiveness, neither of which can be supplied by psychotherapy. Positive clinical signs of genuine forgiveness are briefly described, as are ways in which forgiveness is often put in the service of pathology, such as false forgiveness. Clinical procedures to facilitate forgiveness are noted.

Information, run structure and binary pattern complexity

Two information processing models of the perception of binary patterns are outlined. The H (k-span) model assumes S er;aluates the transitional uncertainty associated with the different k-tuples constituting the pattern. The H (run-span) model assumes S codes the pattern into runs and then evaluates the transitional uncertainty associated with the pattern’s run-tuples. Both models give a measure of the complexity of a pattern. The models are tested by using the complexity measures to predict various response indices of pattern complexity; e.g. judged pattern complexity, mean number of words to describe a pattern, accuracy of recall of a pattern. H (run-span) proved to be highly correlated with all of the pattern complexity indices. H (k-span) received only moderate support.

Kleinian Psychodynamics and Religious Aspects of Hatred as a Defense Mechanism

Hatred is placed in the theoretical framework of object relations, e.g., splitting, as developed by Melanie Klein and Otto Kernberg; it is also interpreted in a general religious context as a major barrier to forgiveness and to psychological health. Within the therapy process of the adult client, an important aspect of hatred is that it is a willed choice, i.e., the self acting as agent (Meissner, 1993). Hatreds extreme resistance to change is explained as due to its function as a defense against narcissistic injury. Defenses supported by hatred are described, for example, hatred defends one against the source memory and thus against a depressing, humiliating or inadequate past; hatred protects one from the risks of intimate relationships; it creates the benefits of the sick role and of self-pity; it defends ones unrealistic ego-ideals and moral pride; and it permits the pleasures of moral superiority.

Christianity and Psychoanalysis, Part 1: Jesus as the Anti-Oedipus

Basic connections between Freudian psychoanalytic theory and Christian theology are explored. The locus is on the Oedipus complex, the origin of neurosis in Freudian theory; it is argued that Oedipal motivation is a reasonably apt characterization of original sin. After a detailed comparison of the Freudian Oedipus with the Christian Jesus it is concluded that Jesus is the anti-Oedipus and thus he represents the logical answer to the neurotic consequences of the hypothesized universal Oedipal motivation. This rationale also provides an explanation of the irrational, unconscious motivation behind atheism, namely that atheism is Oedipal wish fulfillment.

Christianity and Psychoanalysis, Part 2: Jesus the Transformer of the Super-Ego

If Jesus is The anti-Oedipus (Vitz & Gartner, 1984) then his acceptance by a person should transform his or her super-ego. since the super-ego is the psychological consequence of resolving the oedipal crisis. Ways in which this transformation of the super-ego occurs are described. Emphasis is on comparing and contrasting the childs natural identification with the father with a persons super-natural identification with the Son. Similarities and differences between these identifications are discussed to clarify how the acceptance of Jesus results in a qualitatively new person.

Narratives and Counseling, Part 1: From Analysis of the past to Stories about It

It is proposed that the present practice of psychotherapy and counseling would be enriched by introducing a narrative model of the psychotherapeutic process. Recent contributions supporting the importance of a narrative (story) based model are discussed. Theorists briefly treated are: Schafer (1980, 1983), with his narrative interpretation of Freuds major concepts and a narrative understanding of the psychoanalytic session; Spence (1982), who introduced the notion of narrative truth as distinct from historical truth for understanding a clients past, an approach that supports non-psychoanalytic narrative interpretation; and Viederman (1983; Viederman & Perry, 1980), who used short life histories for interpreting relatively healthy clients facing acute crises. Within this context and the narrative literary theory of Frye (1957), a Christian narrative approach to counseling is introduced.

Narratives and Counseling, Part 2: From Stories of the past to Stories for the Future

After a summary of sources of power contained in narratives as proposed by Kilpatrick (1986), a case history of Christian narrative counseling is presented. Emphasis is on a narrative conclusion to the counseling process that focuses on the clients future. This future is understood as a story constructed by the client in response to Gods call: the working out of a vocation. The vocation story, interpreted in the framework of Northrop Fryes (1957) four narrative archetypes, is primarily a comedy or romance, not tragedy or irony. The therapists role in a narrative ending to therapy is interpreted as similar to that of a coach. Narrative models in psychology are also identified as part of a major paradigm shift to a less positivistic psychology, one that is much more compatible with Christian Scripture than is the traditional scientific paradigm.