Detection of errors in statistical problem solving

Ten subjects were asked to think aloud while solving two statistical problems. The subjects were instructed after each substep of his/her problem solving, to check in various ways the solution of the previous substep. The subjects detected 25 out of a total of 56 errors when they solved the problems. About half of the detected errors were computational errors. Nine errors were eliminated in response to the checking instructions. The think aloud data indicated that subjects' most common way of detecting their own errors was by noting that computations resulted in extreme values. Subjects also detected errors by (a) "spontaneous discovery"; (b) discontent with other aspects of a solution than the numerical value of the answer; (c) repeating a solution. The last mentioned type of error detection only occurred when subjects responded to the checking instructions. Finally it was found that subjects had a strong tendency to respond to the checking instructions either in a routinized or in a non-elaborated way. It was discussed how the formulation of checking instructions can be improved in order to avoid this effect.     

Anorexia Nervosa: The Hospital's Role in Family Treatment

When an anorexia nervosa patient requires hospitalization for her ¹ 1 We will use the pronoun “her” to refer to anorexic patients since the overwhelming majority are female. Our discussion will focus mainly on younger adolescent girls who are still living with their families.
medical condition, the treatment team faces the problem of integrating the individual focus of inpatient care with the systems focus of family therapy. In this paper we propose a family-systems model of hospitalization, the aim of which is to facilitate such integration. The model draws on current theories of anorexia nervosa, as well as general concepts from psychodynamic, developmental, and family systems theories. The major hypothesis of the model is that all members of the anorexic family are developmentally arrested in the area of separation-individuation. On this assumption, we propose that the entire treatment team (including medical professionals and therapists) needs to function as “parents” to the anorexic family in much the same way that two cotherapists become parental figures in family therapy. Specifically, the team needs to provide those parenting responses that facilitate the family's individuation process.     

Steps Toward Peace, 1948–1986: Tension Reduction in Theory and Practice

In this article Rogers elaborates a theory of tension reduction among antagonistic groups that he has been developing since 1948. Rogers also discusses why now, in his ninth decade, he has put such intense physical effort and personal energy into achieving peace.     

The Underlying Theory: Drawn from Experience with Individuals and Groups

This article is based on a presentation Carl made at the University of California, Irvine, on November 8, 1986. Carl focuses on the conditions that facilitate change—both in individuals and groups. Carl connects his theory of personal change with the process for achieving peace.     

Inside the World of the Soviet Professional

In this article Carl recounts his experiences with psychologists, educators, and researchers in the Soviet Union. While in the Soviet Union, Carl did live counseling sessions with Soviet citizens to demonstrate his person-centered approach. In the end, Carl reflects that the Soviet professional has needs and concerns similar to psychologists and educators in America. This is a joint report of work carried on by Carl Rogers and Ruth Sanford. The account was largely written by Carl, but Sanford contributed to it.     

Daily stress,closeness, and satisfaction in gay and lesbian couples

A daily diary analysis of the associations among stress, closeness, and relationship and sexual satisfaction was conducted with a sample of 40 gay male and 55 lesbian couples. Using interdependence theory as a guide, both actor and partner effects of stress, closeness, and their interaction were investigated. As predicted, it was found that participants' own feelings of closeness toward their partners buffered the negative association between stress and satisfaction but that when participants' partners felt particularly close on a stressful day their closeness exacerbated associations between stress and reduced satisfaction. These contrasting effects of closeness underscore the importance of considering the daily processes of both partners contributing to relationship quality.