Evaluating Self-Concept and Ego Development Within Erikson's Psychosocial Framework: A Formulation

The purpose of this article is to suggest criteria developed within the context of Erikson's first five psychosocial stages that may be helpful in evaluating self-concept and ego development. The strength of Erikson's theory has been in its contribution to the understanding of the self's development over a series of psychosocial stages. A weakness, however, has been in the ambiguity about what behaviors to look for during any particular stage that allow one to evaluate the status of a person's psychological growth. To assess areas of strengths and weaknesses in the self's growth as it progresses through these stages, five behavioral expressions tables are presented, each illustrating possible behaviors and implicit attitudes associated with positive and negative ego resolutions at each stage. Implications for the evaluation of problem areas and counseling are noted.     

The Polyvalent Counselor

Employment counselors must serve many different kinds of clients and provide a wide variety of services. They must be capable of providing individual and group counseling services as well as environmental intervention. The counseling process is somewhat different for the employment counselor who must also consider the available job market, motivational forces, aptitudes, skills, and interests. This article discusses the framework in which the polyvalent employment counselor works. This article was the basis of a workshop for the Employment Security Commission at their state meting in Burlington, North Carolina, in June 1977.     

Adolescent stress: Evaluation of the factor structure of the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ‐N)

Moksnes, U. K., Byrne, D. G., Mazanov, J. & Espnes, G. A. (2010). Adolescent stress: Evaluation of the factor structure of the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ‐N). Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 51, 203–209. The present study reports an evaluation of the factor structure of the Norwegian version of the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ‐N) among 723 students. Principal components analysis (PCA) revealed nine internally consistent dimensions of adolescent stress. Scales constructed from this PCA correlated positively with measures of depression and anxiety and negatively with self‐esteem. Girls reported higher stress levels than boys in seven of the nine scales and age was also positively correlated with the scale scores of adolescent stress. The results revealed that the instrument has potential for measuring adolescent stress. The stability of the ASQ‐N needs to be tested repeatedly, across cohorts and over time, to establish the adequacy for use in Norwegian adolescent studies.     

Indirect support seeking and perceptions of spousal support: An examination of a reciprocal relationship

Indirect support seeking has been theoretically identified as a support seeking strategy that may backfire and elicit negative responses or decreases in positive support. Moreover, past support responses that are either inadequate or negative have been theoretically linked to the use of indirect support seeking. Yet, no empirical studies have examined the potential reciprocal relation between indirect support seeking and perceived support in intimate relationships. Utilizing data from 204 new parents, we tested longitudinal cross‐lagged path models to examine the reciprocal relation between indirect support seeking and support perceptions. Results provided partial support for a reciprocal relation between indirect support seeking and perceived negative support responses. Furthermore, indirect support seeking negatively predicted relationship satisfaction across time, through perceived negative support responses.     

Merleau-Ponty and Epistemology Engines

One of us coined the notion of an “epistemology engine.” The idea is that some particular technology in its workings and use is seen suggestively as a metaphor for the human subject and often for the production of knowledge itself. In this essay, we further develop the conceptand claim that Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenological commitments, although suggestive, did not lead him to appreciate the epistemological value of materiality. We also take steps towards establishing how an understanding of this topic can provide the basis for reinterpreting the history of phenomenology.     

Evaluating Self-Concept and Ego Status in Erikson's Last Three Psychosocial Stages

The objective of this article is to suggest behavioral criteria that can be used for assessing the status of self-concept and ego development in Erikson's last three psychosocial stages. The strength of Erikson's theory has been in its contribution to the understanding of human development through a continuum of psychosocial stages. A weakness, however, has been in the uncertainty about the particular behaviors one should look for when assessing the positive or negative aspects of self-concept and ego development. To parallel an earlier article examining Erikson's first five stages (Hamachek, 1988), three tables of different behavioral expressions are presented, each providing examples of possible behaviors and implicit attitudes related to positive and negative ego resolutions associated with the last three stages. Implications for evaluation of problem concerns and counseling are noted.     

Use of the encouragement process in Adlerian counseling

Encouragement in all facets of the counseling interview is a critical ingredient in the counseling process. This article sets forth the theory and specific applications of the encouragement process in counseling, as viewed in the socio-teleological model.