Victims of Abuse by Priests: Some Preliminary Observations

This paper describes the results of psychological assessments of 25 adult males who were victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests as children or early adolescents. Preliminary data suggest that premorbid personality patterns in these victims put them at greater risk for abuse and also exacerbated the effects of their victimization. These observations are considered in the context of prevalent explanatory models of the traumagenic effects of child sexual abuse.     

初中生受欺负状况的某些预测变量

通过问卷法和同伴提名法考察了3061名初中生在校受同伴欺负状况的特点,结果发现初中男生受欺负状况比初中女生严重,并且整个初中初中阶段男生的状况没有减缓的趋势,初中女生的受欺负状况随年级增长明显减少。同时,通过逐步回归分析发现,羞层、坏学生、老师不喜欢、同伴关系不良、欺负人等变量对初中生的受欺负状况有明显的预测作用。     

Occupational Representativeness and Prestige Rating: Some Observations

The authors examine occupational representativeness for its effect on prestige ratings. Compositions of occupational listings do not affect ratings. Career counseling implications are noted.     

The Infallibility of the Ordinary Universal Magisterium: A Critique of Some Recent Observations

This teaching of Vatican II raises the problem of how to know when the ordinary universal magisterium has proposed some doctrine as definitive. Fr. Francis A. Sullivan has put forth some principles that he claims are important for establishing that a doctrine has been definitively taught. Key to Sullivan's principles is the claim that the constant consensus of theologians is a sign and a necessary condition for establishing whether the ordinary universal magisterium has taught a particular doctrine as definitive. This essay argues against this claim. It maintains that while the consensus of theologians may be sign of definitive teachings, it is not a necessary condition for those teachings. Lastly, the essay suggests that the current discussion about the definitive, infallible teachings of the ordinary universal magisterium would be greatly aided if it took place in the context of the quest for catholicity in time and if it firmly kept in mind the nature of church as a communion.     

Psychological and Social Ramifications of Battering: Observations Leading to a Counseling Methodology for Victims of Domestic Violence

This article offers a profile of men who batter, a set of the common characteristics observed among victims and an analysis of the destructive forces that keep the victims captive.     

Relationship Skills Training in Schools: Some Fieldwork Observations

The importance of training in relationship skills is emphasised. Following a review of the British and American literature on relationship skills training in schools, a year-long relationship skills course with a group of Australian secondary-school students of low academic achievement is described. The course had mixed success. Issues and problems pertaining to the course and to doing this kind of work in schools are discussed. These issues include: theoretical assumptions, content of course, size of group, composition of group, training methods, facilitating motivation and participation, and assessment. Though its difficulty should not be underestimated, relationship skills training in schools represents an exciting challenge.     

The Elusiveness,Loss and Cruciality of Recovered Holiness: Some Biblical and Theological Observations

Abstract: While holiness is one of the motifs in theological discourse that can legitimately be said to entwine many others, the coinage it receives for such honour is being largely exiled from discussion. Thus, any contribution that could be made by considering Jesus Christ as the defining revelation of holiness is sidelined. Beginning with some biblical observations, and enlisting some help from Scottish Congregationalist P.T. Forsyth, this article seeks to encourage a reclaiming of holiness vocabulary as a distinctly christological reality and gift that finds expression first in the unique incarnate life and death of the Son, and then in the life and mission of the community created and sustained by that same Son.     

New Directions for Performance Appraisal: Some Findings and Observations

The changing emphasis on the aims of performance appraisal systems is discussed, with particular reference to the notion of appraisal as a motivating mechanism. The contention of the Total Quality school that the traditional focus on the assessment function of appraisal is counterproductive is supported, and some data are presented illustrating the doubtful value and accuracy of appraisal ratings, both for evaluating staff and as validation criteria for personality measures. Some implications of recent organizational changes for the development role of performance appraisal are reviewed, with particular reference to upward feedback and competency-based appraisal. Finally, the emerging shape of a new approach to meeting the purposes formerly served by appraisal systems is described.     

Preliminary Observations on Play Behavior in Puppies

Previous research suggested that the experimenter variable in conservation assessment procedures has not been adequately studied. This experiment investigated the effect of sex of experimenter on length conservation responses in second-grade subjects under group testing procedures. Results of contingency table analysis of observed frequencies suggested that there are significantly more operational conservers under female test administration than under male test administration. Further analysis revealed no significant difference in the number of operational conservers for male and female Ss with either male or female examiners. The sex of experimenter variable does appear to be an important factor in conservation assessment at the lower elementary level.     

Clergy Response to Domestic Violence: A Preliminary Survey of Clergy Members,Victims, and Batterers

Although the presence of both religious organizations and violence in American communities is pervasive, scant attention has focused on how to best enroll clergy and religiously oriented resources in the battle against family violence. Given that it is not uncommon for women or couples to seek counseling or advice from clergy before accessing community-based resources, the frequency, nature, and utility of these contacts were assessed in this exploratory study from the perspectives of 47 female victims and 70 male perpetrators of domestic violence. Forty-one clergy members from various denominations were also surveyed about their contacts with those seeking help for domestic violence. Results indicated that 43% of the victims and 20% of the perpetrators did seek help from clergy. Almost all of the victims who contacted clergy reported satisfaction with the counsel they received. All clergy respondents reported counseling people who had experienced domestic violence during their career, and 80% had violence-related contacts in the past year. The service-related implications of these clergy contacts from victim, perpetrator, and clergy perspectives are discussed.