Theologian,Teacher, and Friend: Tributes to James M. Gustafson

James M. Gustafson, who died in 2021, has influenced generations of theologians and ethicists. In this article, five students, colleagues, and friends provide short reflections on what Gustafson has meant for their work as scholars of theology and religious ethics.     

Hofmann,S. G. (2012). An Introduction to Modern CBT: Psychological Solutions to Mental Health Problems Malden,MA: Wiley-Blackwell

This paper reviews Hofmann’s (2012) An Introduction to Modern CBT: Psychological Solutions to Mental Health Problems. Hofmann’s book is a new tool in the struggle to disseminate CBT to the uninitiated and to train new clinicians in the basic elements of cognitive behavioral treatments. This book is an accessible introduction to basic cognitive behavioral models and techniques across a variety of conditions, with ample hypothetical case material to illustrate the approaches described. The book provides a theoretical introduction to CBT, discusses the general processes and procedures used in treatment, illustrates the approach in 10 specific problem areas, and summarizes empirical support for the approaches described. Particularly helpful are the clinical examples, learning objectives, suggested exercises, and sample dialogues that are provided. While the book tends to give less attention to the behavioral tradition in CBT, and is not intended to illustrate the use of CBT in complex cases or diverse populations, it achieves the author’s goal of providing a primer on both traditional CBT techniques and emerging CBT technologies. Students, new clinicians, allied health professionals, and patients can benefit from this important work.     

Antecedents to Fechner's law: the astronomers J. Herschel, W. R. Dawes, and N. R. Pogson

The history of the stellar magnitude scale is briefly traced from the second century b.c. until the middle of the nineteenth century. It becomes clear that astronomers formulated "Fechner's Law" by about 1850. While Fechner is credited with the grander view of things, the contention is made that the astronomers John Herschel, W. R. Dawes, and N. R. Pogson have not been given their due by historians of psychology.     

For God, Country, and Family: A Personal Tribute to Christian Fredrik Midelfort, M. D.

Christian Fredrik "Fritz" Midelfort, M.D. was born on October 23, 1906. He died on November 4, 1984 in his home in La Crosse, Wisconsin, some 90 miles from his birthplace of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It was never his ambition as a family therapist to found a "school" or to obtain a following. As one of the pioneers in family therapy, his efforts spanned nearly 40 years. This tribute is intended to stimulate an appreciation for a remarkable family therapist, a seminal thinker, a devoted teacher, and a spirited Christian.