OPEN DIALOGUE IN PSYCHOSIS II: A COMPARISON OF GOOD AND POOR OUTCOME CASES

As an approach to treatment of psychosis, Open Dialogue aims to begin treatment within 24 hours of first contact between the health system and the patient or family, and in accordance with social constructionist principles, it includes the family and the social network in open discussion of all issues throughout treatment. As one step toward evaluating the impact of this novel model of care, statistical and qualitative analyses of 78 consecutive first-episode psychotic cases was undertaken, discriminating good from poor outcome cases on the basis of functional and symptomatic criteria. Results suggested differences in the diagnosis and duration of prodromal and psychotic symptoms, as well as in treatment processes in the two groups. Avoiding hospitalization and using anxiolytics instead of neuroleptics were associated with a good outcome. Overall, data bearing on the effectiveness of OD were encouraging, as only 22% poor outcome patients emerged. However, if the possibility for starting a dialogical process is minimal, the treatment may lead to poor outcome, even where this is not predicted by premorbid social and psychological factors.     

THE CHALLENGE OF THE FUTURE TO THESCIENCE-RELIGION DIALOGUE

Abstract. Zygon and the Center for Advanced Study in Religionand Science have exhibited two foci: the theoretical, concernedwith questions of cosmology and human nature, and the practical, concerned with issues of morality and ritual. These foci overlap, but in recent years interest in the practical has increased. This hasimplications for science-religion dialogue: rather than simply dis-cussing theoretically points of identity, similarity, and differencebetween science and religion, focus on the practical leads to exa-mining how each functions in its own way to inform moral life.Increased interest in the practical is commendable, but theoreticalconcerns should not be excluded.     

A STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF OUT‐OF‐LEVEL TESTING WITH POOR READERS IN THE INTERMEDIATE GRADES

Forty‐seven fourth‐and‐fifth grade students whose raw scores on the Gates‐MacGinitie Level D (on‐level test) were determined to be unsuitable were administered an out‐of‐level test (Level C) to ascertain whether the out‐of‐level test would be a more appropriate test for those students. Two questions were addressed in this study. First, are there significant differences in students’ derived scores on the Gates‐MacGinitie when an on‐level test (Level D) that is judged to be unsuitable is compared to an out‐of‐level test (Level C)? Second, is use of an out‐of‐level test more suitable in terms of Roberts’ criterion of the raw scores achieved by the students? There were no significant differences between the derived scores from on‐level and out‐of‐level testing for each of the subtests. The out‐of‐level raw scores did fall within the accepted range for the test to be considered suitable and reliable.     

学习成绩差与成绩好学生短时记忆特点的比较研究

本研究比较了小学１、３、５年级学习成绩好／差学生在图片、数字、词汇记忆上的特点。结果表明：（１）在图片记忆上,两组儿童的成绩没有差异。１、３年级优差生间的差异主要在数字与具体词汇记忆中;５年级两组学生的差异主要在数字与抽象词汇记忆中。（２）从提示／非提示及击中虚假刺激的结果看,两组儿童在记忆上的差异部分地是由于策略运用上的差异。经过提示,学习不良儿童在数字和词汇记忆上的成绩有了提高。     

WHY RELIGION MATTERS AND THE PURPOSES OF HIGHER EDUCATION: A DIALOGUE WITH HUSTON SMITH

This article examines Huston Smith's critique of and remedy for modernity from the perspective of a college professor who adopted “Why Religion Matters” (2001) as required reading for undergraduates. Smith's heartfelt plea to consider, if not embrace, the common wisdom of traditional religious worldviews deserves a hearing. But Smith's approach is also in need of qualification, supplementation, and critique. This article, ironically, finds the needed qualification, supplementation, and critique in Huston Smith's much earlier publication, The Purposes of Higher Education (1955). This article provides the dialogue.     

SCHIZOPHRENIA AS DIALOGUE AT THE ENDS OF ITS TETHER: THE RELATIONSHIP OF DISRUPTIONS IN IDENTITY WITH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS

Changes to definitions and theories of psychopathology result less from scientific advances and more from changes in social and cultural values. Herein, the historical and contemporary diversity in definitions and theories of anorexia nervosa is used to illustrate this point. First, we offer a discussion of diachronic diversity (diversity over time) and synchronic diversity (diversity at a given point in time) in conceptions and theories of psychopathology in general. Second, we elaborate a social constructionist perspective on psychopathology in general. Third, to illustrate this perspective, we provide a diachronic and synchronic analysis of definitions and theories of anorexia nervosa. Fourth, we discuss the implications of this analysis for clinical practice. We conclude that whatever view eventually prevails will depend not on which one is better at rooting out some hidden truth about anorexia nervosa but, rather, on which one is viewed as more compatible with evolving social and cultural standards, views, and norms regarding health and illness in general and self-starvation in particular.     

THE RELEVANCE OF EMERGENCE THEORY IN THE SCIENCE–RELIGION DIALOGUE

In this article, I call into question the relevance of emergence theories as presently used by thinkers in the science–religion discussion. Specifically, I discuss theories of emergence that have been used by both religious naturalists and proponents of panentheism. I argue for the following conclusions: (1) If we take the background theory to be metaphysical realism, then there seems to be no positive connection between the reality of emergent properties and the validity of providing reality with a religious interpretation, though one could perhaps construe an argument for the positive ontological status of emergence as a negative case for a religious worldview. (2) To be considered more plausible, religious naturalism should interpret religious discourse from the perspective of pragmatic realism. (3) Panentheistic models of divine causality are unable to avoid ontological dualism. (4) It is not obvious that emergent phenomena and/or properties are nonreducible in the ontological sense of the terms; indeed, the tension between weak and strong emergence makes it difficult for the emergentist to make ontological judgments. My general conclusion is that the concept of emergence has little metaphysical significance in the dialogue between science and theology.     

THE RETURN OF THE NATURALISTIC FALLACY: A DIALOGUE ON HUMAN FLOURISHING

In response to the proposal justifying the morality of homosexual acts offered by Todd A. Salzman and Michael G. Lawler, this paper seeks to make intelligible the reasoning used by the New Natural Law Theory and others that arrives at the opposite conclusion. This article proposes to explore the weaknesses in the arguments offered in justification. By proposing an expanded notion of human nature so as to include sexual orientation as one of the factors from which to draw moral norms, the authors have adopted the central proposition of the Old Natural Law Theory defended by Francisco Suarez and others, viz., that human nature as such was a fit source from which to draw moral norms. Thus the New Natural Law Theory, formulated by Germain Grisez to answer the charge of the naturalistic fallacy, has curiously found itself being refuted by a reformulation of the Old Natural Law Theory. This article seeks to show how the proportionalistic reasoning used by Salzman and Lawler leads inevitably to a revival of the naturalistic fallacy.     

GENETIC AND REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN THE LIGHT OF RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

Since the gene splicing debates of the 1980s, the public has been exposed to an ongoing sequence of genetic and reproductive technologies. Many issue areas have outcomes that lose track of people's inner values or engender opposing religious viewpoints defying final resolution. This essay relocates the discussion of what is an acceptable application from the individual to the societal level, examining technologies that stand to address large numbers of people and thus call for policy resolution, rather than individual fiat, in their application. A major source of guidance is the “Genetic Frontiers” series of professional dialogues and conferences held by the National Conference for Community and Justice from 2002 to 2004. Genetic testing, human gene therapy, genetic engineering of plants and animals, and stem cell technology are examined. While differences in perspective on the beginning of life persist, a stepwise approach to the examination of genetic testing reveals areas of general agreement. Stewardship of life, human co‐creativity with the divine, and social justice help define the bounds of application of genetic engineering and therapy; compassionate care plays a major role in establishing stem cell policy. Active, sustained dialogue is a useful resource for enabling sharing of religious values and crystallization of policies.     

THE UNSKILLED WORKER: TOWARD AN UNDERSTANDING OF POVERTY

One hundred and sixty illiterate and semi-literate, disadvantaged adults were studied to determine what they viewed as major problems in living. Most of the problems listed appeared to be related to finances. Some implications for counselors are pointed out.     

THE EFFECTS OF STORY STRUCTURE INSTRUCTION ON THE RECALL OF POOR SIXTH GRADE READERS

This study investigated the effects of story structure instruction on the recall of sixth‐grade students with low socio‐economic background using highly structured narrative materials. Students identified as having a poorly developed story concept were the subjects in the study. An experimental group received no instruction but read the stories, while a third group received neither instruction nor exposure to the stories. All subjects were posttested with a free recall measure.