A Counselor's Primer on Postpartum Depression

Women are more likely than men to experience depression, and they are particularly vulnerable to depression during the postpartum period. Postpartum depression is distinguished from normal postpartum adjustment, postpartum blues, and postpartum psychosis. Biological, psychodynamic, and diathesis-stress perspectives on postpartum depression are described. Counselors are encouraged to fashion individualized treatments for postpartum depression that are matched to the stressors and vulnerabilities of their clients.     

The Use of Drama as an Inservice Training Technique

This article describes the use of drama as a technique for facilitating group discussion and understanding. The play “It's a Man's World” reverses the typical male and female roles in the business world to dramatize the sometimes discriminatory employment practices that women face in the business world today. The play follows applicant George Ford through a series of frustrating interviews until he finally becomes aware of the “correct” answers. The correct response comes too late, however, and backfires.     

A Test of Gamson's Theory of Political Trust Orientation1

Two issues derived from Gamson's theory of political trust are examined and tested. Essentially, this theory hypothesizes that prior probability of success and type of available influence technique determine the extent to which political partisans will attempt to influence decisions made by authorities. Further, the theory suggests that prior probability of success, type of influence technique, and the partisans' success or failure in getting preferred outcomes will determine the level of political trust toward the authorities. The present study reports data relevant to these predictions. These data show that type of influence technique strongly determines the extent of influence usage, while prior probability of success is a significant, hut weaker determinant. Although all three independent variables affect political trust orientation, the effect of success-failure is particularly strong, while that of type of influence technique is weak. There are no significant interactions among these three independent variables. In general, the findings support some aspects of Gamson's theory, while disconfirming others.     

Personality Correlates of Depressive Style in Autobiographies of Creative Achievers

This study compared neurotic and depressive personality characteristics in creative achievers versus eminent but non-creative achievers. Forty-eight subjects' (25 men, 23 women) autobiographies were assessed by trained raters on personality using the California Q-Set. Creative achievers included literary and visual artists whereas the control group consisted of political, military and social leaders. The Q-Set ratings were used to assess the five factors of personality (neuroticism, extroversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness). Neuroticism was further divided into subscales that assessed depressive style, impulsivity and anxiety. Results showed that creative achievers were rated significantly higher than controls on general neuroticism, as well as on depressive style and impulsivity. Creative achievers did not differ from controls in anxiety. It was also found that creative achievers were rated significantly higher than controls on openness to experience and agreeableness, but lower on conscientiousness. None of the effects for creativity was affected by subjects' sex.     

WHEN DOES FALSEHOOD PRECLUDE KNOWLEDGE?

Falsehood can preclude knowledge in many ways. A false proposition cannot be known. A false ground can prevent knowledge of a truth, or so we argue, but not every false ground deprives its subject of knowledge. A falsehood that is not a ground for belief can also prevent knowledge of a truth. This paper provides a systematic account of just when falsehood precludes knowledge, and hence when it does not. We present the paper as an approach to the Gettier problem and arrive at a relatively simple theory with virtues linked to several issues at the heart of contemporary epistemology.