Dream appreciation group: A model of stress prevention for medical students

This paper describes a pilot study in stress prevention for medical students, utilizing Montegue Ullman's process in a dream appreciation group. Relevant literature on the use of dreams in a group is reviewed. In this model, group dynamics and interaction are not analyzed, rather the dream holds center stage. The technique of working with dreams in a group is described, and selected vignettes are presented to document the process. This study suggests that in the presence of a supportive group atmosphere, unconscious conflicts can be alleviated or resolved so as to enhance medical students' evolving personal and professional identity.This paper is based on a presentation at the thirty-first winter meeting of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis, Scottsdale, Arizona, December 11, 1987.     

A model of aesthetic appreciation and aesthetic judgments

Although aesthetic experiences are frequent in modern life, there is as of yet no scientifically comprehensive theory that explains what psychologically constitutes such experiences. These experiences are particularly interesting because of their hedonic properties and the possibility to provide self‐rewarding cognitive operations. We shall explain why modern art's large number of individualized styles, innovativeness and conceptuality offer positive aesthetic experiences. Moreover, the challenge of art is mainly driven by a need for understanding. Cognitive challenges of both abstract art and other conceptual, complex and multidimensional stimuli require an extension of previous approaches to empirical aesthetics. We present an information‐processing stage model of aesthetic processing. According to the model, aesthetic experiences involve five stages: perception, explicit classification, implicit classification, cognitive mastering and evaluation. The model differentiates between aesthetic emotion and aesthetic judgments as two types of output.     

Motivational interviewing and addiction - A psychodynamic appreciation

This paper offers a psychodynamic understanding of the influential approach of motivational interviewing in the treatment of addiction. It suggests the need for critical understanding, and considers some overlaps as well as differences between motivational interviewing and a contemporary psychodynamic approach.     

I—Stewart Shapiro

ABSTRACT After a brief account of the problem of higher-order vagueness, and its seeming intractability, I explore what comes of the issue on a linguistic, contextualist account of vagueness. On the view in question, predicates like'borderline red'and'determinately red'are, or at least can be, vague, but they are different in kind from'red'. In particular,'borderline red'and'determinately red'are not colours. These predicates have linguistic components, and invoke notions like'competent user of the language'. On my view, so-called'higher-order vagueness'is actually ordinary, first-order vagueness in different predicates. I explore the possibility that, nevertheless, a pernicious regress ensues.