Suicide Attempt and Social Isolation on the MAPS Test*

ABSTRACT: Make-A-Picture Story Test protocols of 14 suicidal, 47 schizophrenic, and 49 normal male Caucasian subjects were evaluated for the presence and extent of social isolation. Social isolation was defined by the number of figures used and their social withdrawal implications. It was found that the suicide attempters used more figures than the other subjects and that there was no difference in the social withdrawal implications of the figures used by the suicidal and normal subjects. It was concluded that the social isolation of suicidal individuals manifests itself on the MAPS by increased compensatory fantasied interpersonal contacts.     

Painting Group Portraits: Studying Life Outcomes for Aggressive and Withdrawn Children

Aggression and social withdrawal have long been of interest to personality psychologists. The present article presents a longitudinal study of the development of children selected from a community sample who were high on aggression and withdrawal. The selection of outcome variables is discussed, and outcomes during adolescence are described. For both males and females, high aggressiveness was predictive of low intelligence, poor school achievement, and psychiatric problems. For females, high aggressiveness was also predictive of general health problems. High social withdrawal was predictive of poor school achievement. Females who were high on withdrawal also had an elevated rate of abortions. Individuals who were high on both aggression and withdrawal had relatively poor social competence, had general problems with behavior, had low intelligence, and were performing poorly in school.     

Conceptualization and Treatment of Social Withdrawal in the Schools

Social withdrawal represents a class of behavior problems that are not as frequently referred by teachers in school settings as are disruptive, acting-out behaviors. Approximately 15% of all children referred to school psychologists and other mental health professionals in the schools are socially withdrawn. This paper provides several definitions of social withdrawal from a social skills perspective and presents a four-fold classification system of children's social skills deficits. Assessment procedures for identifying socially withdrawn children are briefly reviewed. Four social skills training strategies (i.e., modeling, coaching, peer-mediated interventions, and group contingencies) are reviewd and the relative efficacy of each are evaluated. Several commercially-available social skills training curricula designed for school settings are described at the conclusion of this paper.     

Motivations for social withdrawal and academic adjustment in emerging adulthood

While social withdrawal in childhood is typically associated with lower academic functioning, little is known about how motivations for social withdrawal may be connected to academic adjustment in emerging adulthood. The purpose of the present study was to examine associations between social withdrawal motivations (i.e., shyness, avoidance and unsociability) and indices of academic adjustment, including academic achievement (i.e., grade point average [GPA]) and academic motivation (i.e., intrinsic value, self-efficacy and test anxiety), while accounting for gender and conscientiousness. Participants were 623 emerging adults between the ages of 18 and 25 (M_age = 20.15, SD = 1.67; 79% female) who were currently attending university. Hierarchical regression results showed that shyness was negatively associated with intrinsic value and self-efficacy. Whereas shyness was positively associated with test anxiety, avoidance was negatively associated with test anxiety. Social withdrawal motivations were not associated with GPA. The findings suggest that some motivations for social withdrawal play a role in university students’ academic motivation, but not their academic achievement.     

自我提升的利与弊：理论、实证及应用

自我提升的适应价值问题目前备受心理学家关注。进化与认知神经科学研究者认为自我提升在演化史中具有潜在的适应价值, 它具有生物遗传性; 而社会心理学家发现, 自我提升在现实中的表现是利弊参半的, 主要存在三种理论解释：调节因素论、生态比拟论、多维多功能模型; 临床咨询心理学家在实践中提出的发展适应性自我提升的建议, 有助于趋利避害地将自我提升加以应用。未来的研究将聚焦于测量的改进、文化、发展及内隐研究等领域。     

Motivation and Problem Solving (MAPS): Motivationally Based Skills Training for Treating Substance Use

Over 10 years ago, Baer and colleagues proposed the integration of skills training and motivational strategies for the treatment of substance abuse. Since that time, several studies evaluating the efficacy of such hybrid approaches have been published, but few have been efficacious. Motivation and Problem Solving (MAPS) is a comprehensive, dynamic, and holistic intervention that incorporates empirically supported cognitive behavioral and social cognitive theory–based treatment strategies within an overarching motivational framework, and has been demonstrated to be effective in a randomized clinical trial focused on the prevention of postpartum smoking relapse. MAPS was designed to be applicable to not only relapse prevention but also the cessation of substance use, and is relevant for individuals regardless of their motivation to change. MAPS views motivation as dynamically fluctuating from moment to moment throughout the behavior change process, and comprehensively addresses multiple issues important to the individual and relevant to change through the creation of a wellness program. As a result, we believe that MAPS enhances the likelihood that individuals will successfully achieve and maintain abstinence from substance use, and that its comprehensive focus on addressing diverse and salient issues enhances both engagement in treatment and its applicability in modifying other health risk behaviors. The current paper introduces MAPS, distinguishes it from other hybrid and stage-based substance use treatments, and provides detailed information and clinical text regarding how MAPS is specifically and uniquely implemented to address key mechanisms relevant to quitting smoking and maintaining abstinence.     

National Survey of Social Workers' Sexual Attraction to Their Clients: Results,Implications, and Comparison to Psychologists

A survey form sent to psychologists (Pope, Keith-Spiegel, & Tabachnick, 1986) was adapted and sent to 1,000 clinical social workers (return rate = 45%). Most participants reported sexual attraction to a client, causing (for most) guilt, anxiety, or confusion. Some reported having sexual fantasies about a client while engaging in sex with someone other than a client. Relatively few (3.6% men; 0.5% women) reported sex with a client; training was related to likelihood of offending, though the effect is small and complex. An analysis of eight national studies (data from 5,148 therapists) found significant effects for gender (more male offenders) and year of study (about 10% annual decrease in reported offenses since 1977) but not profession (i.e., no difference among psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers). Most social workers reported no graduate training whatsoever about sexual attraction; only 10% reported adequate training.     

Differential diagnosis of steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome with psychosis: Practical and ethical issues

The present case illustrates practical and ethical issues that can be encountered by clinical psychologists providing consultation services in medical settings. The neuropsychological consultation service was asked to evaluate a 22-year-old male with psychosis, steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome, and a family history of schizophrenia. MRI revealedmarked cortical atrophy. Clinical findings were consistent with (1) steroid inducedapparent atrophy, which has been shown to be reversible with withdrawal of steroids; (2) uremia secondary to steroid withdrawal; (3) cortical atrophy, found in some schizophrenics; or (4) an atypical, diffuse degenerative disorder. Clinical interview and psychological testing revealed significant thought disorder, prominent delusions, somatic hallucinations, and mood disturbance. Deterioration in social and academic functioning was also present. Except for impaired attention and concentration, neuropsychological evaluation showed no clear evidence of brain-based dysfunction. Further, neuropsychological results effectively ruled out a degenerative process and were not consistent with a steroid effects profile. A conclusive differential diagnosis of steroid induced psychosis versus severe psychopathology would require withdrawal from steroids and antipsychotics. In addition to the practical and ethical issues of withholding antipsychotics, steroid withdrawal would require either dialysis or renal transplant surgery. Decision making regarding dialysis dependency and the possibility of postsurgical psychosis secondary to true psychopathology were salient issues to both the patient and the treatment team.     

Social psychological research in The Netherlands, 1980-1988

This paper contains an investigation about research of Dutch social psychologists. Based on reported publications two types of analyses were performed. The reported publications were categorized by means of a topic-inventory proposed by Fisch and Daniel (1982), which enabled us to compare Dutch trends with developments in Europe and the U. S.A. Moreover, by means of bibliometric analyses publications of Dutch social psychologists were related to data obtained by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI). Several trends were observed and discussed.     

Ideology,Fear of Death,and Death Anxiety

Ideological beliefs have long attracted the attention of social psychologists, who have investigated their genesis as well as their influence on a host of social phenomena. Conservatism, from the Motivated Social Cognition framework, stems from epistemic and existential needs of the individual, and notably the fear of death. However, Terror Management Theory proposes a view of conservatism and its contrary, liberalism, as equivalent cultural worldviews, equally fit to fulfill such needs. In the present contribution, results are presented from five studies, which test the contrasting hypotheses derived from these two perspectives. A new perspective is considered that accounts for these and previous findings.     

西北农村地区母亲抑郁与幼儿社交退缩:母亲回应性的中介作用

以甘肃省陇南市成县6所幼儿园301名农村幼儿及其母亲为研究对象,采用流调中心抑郁量表（CES-D）、母亲教养方式量表和Achenbach儿童行为量表（CBCL）分别考察母亲抑郁、母亲回应性和幼儿社交退缩的现状及相互关系。主要结果如下：（1）西北农村地区母亲抑郁发生率较高,父亲外出打工和贫困家庭的母亲抑郁发生率更高;（2）母亲抑郁与幼儿社交退缩行为显著正相关,母亲抑郁水平越高,幼儿社交退缩得分越高;（3）母亲敏感性和反应性与幼儿社交退缩显著负相关,母亲敏感性和反应性得分越高,幼儿社交退缩得分越低;（4）母亲反应性在母亲抑郁和幼儿社交退缩之间起部分中介作用。     

Trajectories of social withdrawal from grades 1 to 6: prediction from early parenting, attachment, and temperament

From 1,092 children in the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, the authors identified 3 trajectory patterns of social withdrawal from teacher reports in Grades 1-6: a normative consistently low group (86%), a decreasing group (5%) with initially high withdrawal that decreased, and an increasing group (9%) with initially low withdrawal that increased. Prediction models supported the role of early dysregulated temperament, insensitive parenting, and attachment. Preschool shy temperament was a specific pathway to decreasing withdrawal, and poor inhibitory control was a specific pathway to increasing withdrawal. Children on the increasing pathway were more lonely, solitary, and were excluded by peers. Results suggest differentiated pathways to varying trajectories of social withdrawal and highlight the importance of identification of longitudinal patterns in relation to risk.     

Asian social psychology: Achievements, threats, and opportunities

A scan of citation impact suggests that Asian social psychologists have made significant contributions in three areas: indigenous research, culture and social behaviour, and in several topics in social psychology. An analysis of the most cited articles published in Asian Journal of Social Psychology ( AJSP ) in 1998–2002 in March 2005 reveals that most papers are concerned with culture, with a focus on either popular topics in the West or indigenous concepts. Asian social psychology seems to be closely associated with cultural issues, but it still lacks unique theoretical contributions, and the number of internationally visible scholars is limited and is mostly confined to East Asia. However, Asian cultures provide a fertile ground for identifying new constructs. Many Asian universities are now under pressure to internationalize, which will motivate more academics to participate in Asian conferences and publish in AJSP . To develop Asian social psychology, effort should be focused on nurturing the next generation of Asian social psychologists, who not only need an international perspective, but also ambition and creativity.     

Bridging History and Social Psychology: What, How and Why

This special issue aims to bridge history and social psychology by bringing together historians and social psychologists in an exercise of reading and learning from each other??s work. This interdisciplinary exercise is not only timely but of great importance for both disciplines. Social psychologists can benefit from engaging with historical sources by being able to contextualise their findings and enrich their theoretical models. It is not only that all social and psychological phenomena have a history but this history is very much part of present-day and future developments. On the other hand historians can enhance their analysis of historical sources by drawing upon the conceptual tools developed in social psychology. They can ??test?? these tools and contribute to their validation and enrichment from completely different perspectives. Most important, as contributions to this special issue amply demonstrate, psychology??s ??historical turn?? has the potential to shed a new light on striking, yet underexplored, similarities between contemporary public spheres and their pre-modern counterparts. This issue thereby calls into question the dichotomy between traditional and de-traditionalized societies??a distinction that lies at the heart of many social psychology accounts of the world we live in. The present editorial will introduce and consider this act of bridging history and social psychology by focusing on three main questions: What is the bridge made of? How can the two disciplines be bridged? and Why we cross this interdisciplinary bridge? In the end a reflection on the future of this collaboration will be offered.     

西北农村地区母亲抑郁与幼儿社交退缩:母亲回应性的中介作用

以甘肃省陇南市成县6所幼儿园301名农村幼儿及其母亲为研究对象,采用流调中心抑郁量表（CES-D）、母亲教养方式量表和Achenbach儿童行为量表（CBCL）分别考察母亲抑郁、母亲回应性和幼儿社交退缩的现状及相互关系。主要结果如下：（1）西北农村地区母亲抑郁发生率较高,父亲外出打工和贫困家庭的母亲抑郁发生率更高;（2）母亲抑郁与幼儿社交退缩行为显著正相关,母亲抑郁水平越高,幼儿社交退缩得分越高;（3）母亲敏感性和反应性与幼儿社交退缩显著负相关,母亲敏感性和反应性得分越高,幼儿社交退缩得分越低;（4）母亲反应性在母亲抑郁和幼儿社交退缩之间起部分中介作用。     

National Survey of Psychologists' Test Feedback Training,Supervision, and Practice: A Mixed Methods Study

In this empirical, mixed methods study, we explored test feedback training, supervision, and practice among psychologists, focusing specifically on how feedback is provided to clients and whether feedback skills are taught in graduate programs. Based on a 48.5% return rate, this national survey of clinical, counseling, and school psychologists' suggests psychologists provide test feedback to clients but inconsistently. Most respondents, 91.7%, indicated they give verbal feedback at least some of the time, whereas 35% do so every time. However, 2.8% indicated they never give feedback. A negative correlation exists for clinical psychologists between years since graduation and providing verbal feedback. Of particular interest, approximately one third of respondents indicated predoctoral coursework, practica, and internship were of little-to-no help in preparing them to provide feedback. Also, feedback training in predoctoral coursework, practica, and internship was not correlated to actually providing feedback. There was, however, a significant correlation between postdoctoral training and providing feedback. Consistent with existing ethical exceptions, the most frequent reason for not providing feedback was using assessments in forensic settings. Individuals who indicated their training was not helpful cited “trial and error” and self-instruction as ways in which they learned feedback skills. We discuss implications and suggestions for feedback training, research, and practice.     

Associations between symptoms of maternal postpartum depression,gestational age and infant social withdrawal: A longitudinal study in a community cohort

Infant social withdrawal is a risk factor for non-optimal child development; thus, it is important to identify risk factors associated with withdrawal. In a large community sample (N = 19,017), we investigate whether symptoms of maternal and partner postpartum depression (PPD; measured with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) and prematurity are predictors of infant social withdrawal (measured with the Alarm Distress Baby Scale). Withdrawal was assessed at 2–3, 4–7 and 8–12 months postpartum. Linear regressions showed that prematurity predicted higher infant social withdrawal at all time points, and maternal symptoms of PPD were positively associated with withdrawal at 2–3 months. Logistic regressions showed that odds for elevated social withdrawal were increased with elevated levels of maternal symptoms of PPD at 2–3 and 8–12 months. Partner's symptoms of PPD were not associated with withdrawal. Future studies should investigate how PPD symptoms and prematurity may impact the individual development of social withdrawal.     

Parasocial Interaction: A Review of the Literature and a Model for Future Research

This paper considers the phenomenon of parasocial interaction (PSI) used by media researchers to describe the relationship between media users and media figures (from celebrities to fictional characters). Although the concept has been used consistently across the past two decades in media research, it is argued here that it has not been sufficiently developed at a theoretical level to be taken up by psychologists. A number of key issues have not been addressed: firstly, how PSI might, as its originators put it, be "integrated into the matrix of usual social activity" (Horton & Wohl, 1956); secondly, how PSI might vary according to different types of media figure; and thirdly, what processes over time and media use bind user and figure into a "parasocial relationship." In this paper the existing literature on PSI is extensively reviewed, and an original model of PSI is developed for use in future social psychological research, which places PSI within the realm of ordinary social interaction and suggests ways in which different media use and different types of media figure interact to produce different styles of relationship. Finally, some applications of more detailed research into PSI are suggested.     

父母行为控制、心理控制与青少年早期攻击和社会退缩的关系

考察父母行为和心理控制与青少年早期攻击和社会退缩有无特异性联系、是否存在非线性关系、是否以情绪调节策略(认知重评和表达抑制)作为中介。694名青少年(平均年龄13.67岁)完成了父母控制问卷、情绪调节量表、青少年攻击以及社会退缩量表。结果表明:(1)行为控制和心理控制均与两类结果有关,未表现出"一对一"的特异性联系;(2)行为控制与两类结果呈倒U型曲线关系,心理控制与两类结果呈线性关系;(3)认知重评在心理控制与攻击之间具有部分中介作用,表达抑制在心理控制与社会退缩之间具有部分中介作用。     

Creativity. Cognitive, personal, developmental, and social aspects

Although many psychologists have expressed an interest in the phenomenon of creativity, psychological research on this topic did not rapidly expand until after J. P. Guilford claimed, in his 1950 APA presidential address, that this topic deserved far more attention than it was then receiving. This article reviews the progress psychologists have made in understanding creativity since Guilford's call to arms. Research progress has taken place on 4 fronts: the cognitive processes involved in the creative act, the distinctive characteristics of the creative person, the development and manifestation of creativity across the individual life span, and the social environments most strongly associated with creative activity. Although some important questions remain unanswered, psychologists now know more than ever before about how individuals achieve this special and significant form of optimal human functioning.