Replacement—A theory of stereotypy: A review

Three forms of stereotypy are described and an outline given of previous theories of simple stereotypy in the retarded and autistic. An alternative theory is put forward in which stereotypy is characterized as a replacement of unpalleatable stimuli and/or responses that are overloading the system in a way with which the individual cannot cope. Although the theory derives from cognitive psychology, it can also be expressed behaviorally or experientially without loss of impact. The manner in which replacement theory applies to the three types of stereotypy is described. Testable hypotheses are derived, predictions made, and implications considered. Finally, the more general ramifications of the theory are explored.     

A review of: “Handbook of psychotherapy supervision”

C. Edward Watkins, Jr (ed.) (1997) Handbook of Psychotherapy Supervision, New York: Wiley, $50     

A review of: “Suicide: The tragedy of hopelessness”

David Aldridge (1997) Suicide: the Tragedy of Hopelessness, London: Jessica Kingsley, $15.95     

A review of: “Philosophy and psychotherapy”

E. Erwin (1997) Philosophy and Psychotherapy, London: Sage, pp. 192, $37.50 (hb), $12.95 (pb)     

“Bullying” among prisoners: A review of research

This article reviews research on bullying amongst prisoners. It discusses the definitional problems surrounding the concept of “bullying” applied to a prison environment, and the concepts of dominance and inmate subculture in relation to their contributions to understanding bullying among prisoners. It also addresses the nature and the extent of bullying, the characteristics of bullies and their victims, and the reactions of victims to the bullying. The review concludes with a discussion of the methodological limitations of the present research and directions for future research.     

A review of: “R.D. Laing: A divided self”

John Clay (1996) R.D. Laing: A Divided Self, London: Hodder & Stoughton, pp. 308, $20.00 (hb), $7.99 (pb)     

A review of: “Constructing the self,constructing america: A cultural history of psychotherapy”

P. Cushman (1995) Constructing the Self, Constructing America: A Cultural History of Psychotherapy, Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley, pp. 430, $23.99     

Aftereffect of visual movement—the role of relative movement: A review

It is often believed that the aftereffect of visual movement (MAE) is more-or-less dependent on image movement. Modern explanation of MAE in terms of motion-sensitive mechanisms in the visual pathway assumes this. However, it has long been known that MAE can be influenced by other factors of stimulation, and particularly some that can be labeled asrelative. So, for example, MAE may not be observed unless more than one direction of movement is present in the eliciting stimulation, and MAE in an area may elicit an opposite MAE in an adjoining unadapted area. It is probable that the overemphasis on image movement has arisen because of the common use of multidirectional adapting movement and because of an assumption that patterned areas adjoining the MAE display do not have much effect on MAE. It is speculated that relative movement data for MAE may reflect a mechanism involved in detection of object motion: since image movement and eye movement do not in themselves adequately explain this process, it must be supposed that relative movement, in conjunction with the configuration of the retinal image, is important.     

A review of: “Quality of life and mental health services”

Joseph Oliver, Peter Huxley, Keith Bridges and Hadi Mohamad (1996) Quality of Life and Mental Health Services, London: Routledge, $16.99 (pb)     

A review of: “Challenges to counselling and psychotherapy”

Alex Howard (1996) Challenges to Counselling and Psychotherapy, London: Macmillan, $11.99     

A review of: “Dementia reconsidered: The person comes first”

Tom Kitwood (1997) Dementia Reconsidered: the Person Comes First, Buckingham and Philadelphia: Open University Press, pp. 160, $14.99 (pb), $45.00 (hb)     

To justify or excuse?: A meta-analytic review of the effects of explanations

The authors used R. Folger and R. Cropanzano's (1998, 2001) fairness theory to derive predictions about the effects of explanation provision and explanation adequacy on justice judgments and cooperation, retaliation, and withdrawal responses. The authors also used the theory to identify potential moderators of those effects, including the type of explanation (justification vs. excuse), outcome favorability, and study context. The authors' predictions were tested by using meta-analyses of 54 independent samples. The results showed strong effects of explanations on both the justice and response variables. Moreover, explanations were more beneficial when they took the form of excuses rather than justifications, when they were given after unfavorable outcomes, and when they were given in contexts with instrumental, relational, and moral implications.     

Explanations of interindividual – intergroup discontinuity: A review of the evidence

The authors review and evaluate various explanations for the tendency of intergroup relations to be more competitive, or less cooperative, than interindividual relations (the discontinuity effect). They distinguish between two general perspectives, each comprising a set of explanations for the discontinuity effect. The fear and greed perspective assumes that intergroup relations are characterised by greater fear and greed than are interindividual relations. The group decision-making perspective assumes a crucial role for group discussion in facilitating rational comprehension of mixed-motive situations. In general, explanations from the fear and greed perspective were found to be more consistent with the empirical record than explanations from the group decision-making perspective. The authors propose that a complete understanding of the discontinuity effect is yet to be achieved.     

A review of: “The presentation of case material in clinical discourse”

Ivan Ward (ed.) (1997) The Presentation of Case Material in Clinical Discourse, London: Freud Museum Publications, 96 pp., $6.95     

How effective is school consultation?: A review of recent research

This paper reviews the results of 29 studies on the effectiveness of school consultation published between 1972 and 1977. Twenty-two of the studies reviewed (76%) reported at least one or more positive effects resulting from consultation interventions. Behavioral consultation was found to be particularly effective. Several methodological limitations of the studies which reduce the generality of their findings are discussed. These include lack of appropriate experimental control procedures, failure to control for individual consultant and consultee characteristics, infrequent use of multiple dependent measures assessing both attitudinal and behavioral changes, and the absence of follow-up data. Despite the problems entailed in measuring consultation outcomes, the practice does appear to be effective. Further research investigating the influence of specific consultation models and processes is recommended.     

Mastery or mystery? Therapeutic writing: A review of the literature

Recent developments in online support and counselling suggest that the users of chat rooms, for example, or the Samaritans' e-mail 'listening' service, have already discovered the power of writing as a self-help vehicle. Developments in computer-mediated counselling and therapy are essentially text-based and client-driven. The therapeutic use of expressive and reflective writing is not widely recognised in British counselling and therapy circles. The empirical foundations for the therapeutic uses of the literary arts are, however, well established. This review aims to map the use of 'writing therapy' by drawing together cross-disciplinary research and practitioner reports which might support the place of writing as a creative therapy in its own right, whether as an adjunct to face-to-face counselling or as a self-help tool.     

A review of “Sociality lost: The schizophrenic's neurocognitive dilemma”

Abstract

The Cognitive Neuropsychology Of Schizophrenia By Christopher D. Frith. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum, 1992, 169 pp.     

Non-accidental injury to children—I: A review of behavioural interventions

The history of the growth of interest in child abuse in the Western World over the last two decades is described chronologically. Problems of definition of a phenomenon which is a deviation from social norms are discussed, including the problem of distinguishing acceptable discipline from abuse. The literature on parent-training approaches to the treatment of abusive parents is reviewed. It is argued that researchers in the U.S.A. and the U.K. are working within different statutory frameworks, from different definitional criteria and with different conceptualizations of successful outcome. The need for multiple outcome measures, in terms of quality of life for the abused child, and for long-term follow-up is stressed, together with the importance of clinical experience in the planning and execution of evaluative treatment research.