Attachment theory and systemic practice: research update

Attachment theory offers a way of thinking about the dyadic relationships within the family system. Family systems theory and therapy can contribute to attachment theory, as dyadic relationships do not exist in isolation but within the context of other relationships. Research at the interface between systemic practice and attachment theory is reviewed with examination of the central role they may play together in the developing understanding of family relationships.     

Field Theory in Psychoanalysis,Part 2: Bionian Field Theory and Contemporary Interpersonal/Relational Psychoanalysis

This article is the second part of an examination of field theory in psychoanalysis. In this article, contemporary Bionian field theory, primarily the work of Antonino Ferro, is compared with contemporary interpersonal and relational psychoanalysis.     

An introductory statistics class and examination using SPSS/PC

SPSS/PC was integrated into lecture and an examination in introductory statistics. Students were given an anonymous questionnaire after a traditional examination and again after an examination with SPSS/PC. They wanted more theory and derivation and were ambivalent about SPSS/PC in lecture. The computer test decreased computational error fears. Students preferred the more realistic questions which the computer permitted. Test performance was not significantly different. The results suggest that statistical packages should be used in later courses rather than in introductory statistics.     

Gert's moral theory and its application to bioethics cases

Bernard Gert's theory of morality has received much critical attention, but there has been relatively little commentary on its practical value for bioethics. An important test of an ethical theory is its ability to yield results that are helpful and plausible when applied to real cases. An examination of Gert's theory and his own attempts to apply it to bioethics cases reveals that there are serious difficulties with regard to its application. These problems are sufficiently severe to support the conclusion that Gert's theory is unacceptable as an approach for resolving bioethics cases, even relatively noncontroversial cases.     

Beyond Humanism and Postmodernism: Theorizing a Feminist Practice

The model of feminism as humanist in practice and postmodern in theory is inadequate. Feminist practice and theory directly inform each other to displace both humanist and postmodern conceptions of the subject. An examination of feminism's use of rights discourse suggests that feminist practice questions the humanist conception’ of the subject as a self-identity. Likewise, feminist theory undermines the postmodern emphasis on the constitutive instability and indeterminacy of the subject.     

Fettering, Development and Revolution

In this article, I contrast two theories of history: a Marxist theory (that of G. A. Cohen) and an anarchist theory. Both theories, in their respective attempts at explaining epochal transitions, seem to require some plausible construal of Marx's claim that revolutions occur when a society's economic relations 'fetter' the development of its productive forces. From an examination of a number of different construals of 'fettering'—'development fettering', 'use fettering', 'ACRU fettering', 'net fettering', and even 'forfeitur'—I conclude that none of them supports the Marxist theory of revolution, while each is consistent with the anarchist theory of epochal transformation.     

Cognitive orientation and the prediction of decisions in a medical examination context

From the theory of cognitive orientation (Kreitler and Kreitler 1976, 1982) we derived that scores of cognitive orientation would predict the decision of women to go or not to go to a medical examination for cancer. We tested three alternative methods in addition to the standard method recommended by Kreitler and Kreitler. These four methods represent different assumptions which one can derive from the theory. On the basis of 25 interviews we developed the preliminary questionnaire of beliefs associated with the examination for early detection of cancer. The data of Study 1(N = 72) were used for item analysis as well as testing retest reliability and predicting decisions. In Study 2 (N = 142) the results could be replicated. The Likert-scales for assessing the four components of cognitive orientation proved to be highly retest reliable. Predictions of decisions could be made nearly equally well by each of the four methods derived from the theory of cognitive orientation.     

Prohibited Pictures: Political Education and Platonic Elitism

This paper attempts to bring out the contemporary significance for the philosophy of education of Plato's strictures in the Republic against mimetic art forms. The argument follows a route which leads through an examination of Wittgenstein's picture theory of the proposition to the conclusion that this theory is itself a kind of picture which exercises over the intellect the selfsame erotic magnetism which Plato feared would corrupt the rulers of his ideal state.     

Between practice and theory: Melanie Klein,Anna Freud and the development of child analysis

An examination of the early history of child analysis in the writings of Melanie Klein and Anna Freud reveals how two different and opposing approaches to child analysis arose at the same time. The two methods of child analysis are rooted in a differential emphasis on psychoanalytic theory and practice. The Kleinian method derives from the application of technique while the Anna Freudian method is driven by theory. Furthermore, by holding to the Freudian theory of child development Anna Freud was forced to limit the scope of child analysis, while Klein's application of Freudian practice has led to new discoveries about the development of the infant psyche.     

Test anxiety and evaluation threat: Children's behavior in the classroom

Children differing in test anxiety level were observed in two art classes, one immediately preceding a classroom examination, the other when no examination was expected. The observational analyses indicated the following: (a) When an examination was expected there were general increases both in children's task orientation and in their concern with other's evaluations, and a decrease in general activity level. It was suggested that future research examine the effects of additional situational variables on children's classroom behaviors, (b) Highly test-anxious children were generally hardworking and inactive. They reacted to examination expectancy with a decrease in task orientation, reduction in communications, and attentional constriction. Less anxious children reacted to examination expectancy by working harder, eliminating task-irrelevant behaviors, and seeking feedback. These results were interpreted as supporting a cognitive theory of test anxiety.This research was supported by Canada Council Grant No. S71-0272.     

Adaptation-level and theory of signal detection: an examination and integration of two judgment models for voluntary stimulus generalization

An examination of two judgement models, adaptation-level (AL) theory and the theory of signal detection (TSD), was made in terms of their ability to handle data from several voluntary generalization studies. Both models were found to be somewhat inadequate, though in different ways. AL theory was found to be unable to predict amount or slope of the generalization gradient, while TSD was seen to be unable to account for shifts in judgment due to context and frequency effects. A combined AL-TSD model was presented which combines the advantages of each model and offers a good account of both choice and latency data in voluntary generalization     

The indivisibility of Freudian object relations and drive theories

The term "object relations theory" has little meaning unless placed in a context. Left unmodified, it applies to a variety of contradictory theories, many of which leave out or diminish other metapsychological points of view. This paper utilizes an account of an "ordinary" analysand's life and treatment as a context for the close examination of one session, also "ordinary," and undramatic, in order to demonstrate by example the usefulness of the psychoanalytic theory of drives in indivisible relationship with the psychoanalytic theory of object relations which, in turn, are related to all of the other metapsychological points of view.     

The theory of meaning and some related theories of the learning of language

There are two basically different sorts of theory of meaning and the sort of theory one adopts has a great deal to do with the view one takes of the learning of language. Corresponding to the two kinds of theory of meaning two theories of the learning of language are delineated and the issues that are disputed by them clarified. The logical question of whether each theory is intelligible in itself is first discussed, and, it being concluded that both are genuine empirical hypotheses, an examination is made of psychological grounds for preferring one or the other. While no final decision is arrived at, it is argued that there are grounds for preferring one of the theories.     

Malthus's Essay on Population: the facts of "super-growth" and the rhetoric of scientific persuasion

For the Malthusian theory of population to be accepted as "scientific," it was essential that the theory be established on wide empirical evidence. A close examination of the "facts" provided by Malthus, however, shows that many of his crucial facts are based on distortions of the available evidence. Malthus was probably aware of much of this weakness, but for rhetorical reasons he persisted with the sandy empirical foundations from which he began.     

Structural contingency theory and individual differences: examination of external and internal person-team fit

This article develops and tests a structurally based, integrated theory of person-team fit. The theory developed is an extension of structural contingency theory and considers issues of external fit simultaneously with its examination of internal fit at the team level. Results from 80 teams working on an interdependent team task indicate that divisional structures demand high levels of cognitive ability on the part of teammembers. However, the advantages of high cognitive ability in divisional structures are neutralized when there is poor external fit between the structure and the environment. Instead, emotional stability becomes a critical factor among teammembers when a divisional structure is out of alignment with its environment. Individual differences seem to play little or no role in functional structures, regardless of the degree of external fit.     

From Posttrauma to Gender and Back: A Gender Motivation Theory-Explanation of Gender Differences in Trauma Exposure,Symptoms, Diagnosis,and Implications

This article proposes the “gender motivation theory” as a potential starting point for the study of gender differences in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Grounded in evolutionary and sociological theories, the gender motivational theory argues that men are generally motivated by status enhancement, whereas women are motivated by risk reduction. Accordingly, the theory considers these differing motivations as the core factor differentiating men and women in challenging situations regarding their perception, meaning, experience, and behavior. The theory refers to PTSD as a subjectively perceived failure fulfilling gender motives. Applying this theory to trauma victims enables expanding and increasing gender sensibility for an understanding of PTSD and its various consequences. It also allows a broader and deeper understanding of gender beyond normative boundaries. The article examines the validity of the gender motivation theory in view of the cumulative empirical evidence of gender differences in the study of PTSD as well as other fields of knowledge. Additionally, the proposed theory offers a coherent perspective and guidelines for further examination and practical applications in PTSD research.     

People's naive understandings of their close relationships: Attributional and personal construct perspectives

In this paper, similarities and differences between attribution theory and personal construct theory are described. In comparing these theories, account making is used as an illustrative phenomenon to show major points of similarity and divergence in possible interpretation. Attribution theory basically involves a focus on the situational determinants of thought and behavior, whereas personal construct theory involves an idiographic approach to human thought and action. Despite this fundamental difference, the two theoretical positions are similar in key ways, including original emphases on people's naive understandings. Major aspects of the construal process as articulated by George Kelly for personal construct theory and the interpretative process as posited by Fritz Heider are similar, it is concluded that scholars from both theoretical persuasions would profit from a closer examination of this interface and of how account making as a natural human reaction to stressful situations reveals interesting areas of overlap for conceptual and empirical exploration.     

Sex and race discrimination resulting from manager-client relationships: Applying the rational bias theory of managerial discrimination

Rational bias theory predicts that discrimination may be situationally influenced by circumstances in which a show of bias seems likely to be rewarded or punished by others. This study applies the theory in an examination of managerial sex and race discrimination in situations in which normative or unusual signals are given. In agreement with rational bias theory, the participants, acting in the role of managers, indicated that they would be less likely to discriminate in personnnel decisions with cues indicating that discrimination might not be needed or wanted. The results are interpreted as supportive of rational bias theory and as useful for the design of new policies aimed at ending discrimination. The findings also suggest that the importance of discrimination against blacks of both sexes in management has been widely ignored.     

Connectionist Models and Linguistic Theory: Investigations of Stress Systems in Language

We question the widespread assumption that linguistic theory should guide the formulation of mechanistic accounts of human language processing. We develop a pseudo-linguistic theory for the domain of linguistic stress, based on observation of the learning behavior of a perceptron exposed to a variety of stress patterns. There are significant similarities between our analysis of perception stress learning and metrical phonology, the linguistic theory of human stress. Both approaches attempt to identify salient characteristics of the stress systems under examination without reference to the workings of the underlying processor. Our theory and computer simulations exhibit some strikingly suggestive correspondences with metrical theory. We show, however, that our high-level pseudo-linguistic account bears no causal relation to processing in the perception, and provides little insight into the nature of this processing. Because of the persuasive similarities between the nature of our theory and linguistic theorizing, we suggest that linguistic theory may be in much the same position. Contrary to the usual assumption, it may not provide useful guidance in attempts to identify processing mechanisms underlying human language.     

Recognition theory and global poverty

So far, recognition theory has focused its attention on modern capitalism and its formation in richer Western societies and has neglected issues of global poverty. A brief sketch of Axel Honneth's recognition theory precedes an examination of how the theory can contribute to a better understanding of global poverty, and justice in relation to poverty. I wish to highlight five ways in which recognition theory can enrich our inventory of theories dealing with global poverty and justice: It emphasizes the importance of giving victims of poverty due weight in theorizing about poverty. It provides a vocabulary to conceptualize the experiences of suffering by poverty in terms of misrecognition. It highlights the importance of legal recognition and of actually having certain rights in order to be respected. It bases its critique of poverty on a particular idea of justice and how it should unfold. Finally, recognition theory demands that the poor must be involved in decision-making processes and their agency has to be recognized, respected, and socially esteemed in order to overturn injustice.