Simultaneous classification and multidimensional scaling with external information

For the exploratory analysis of a matrix of proximities or (dis)similarities between objects, one often uses cluster analysis (CA) or multidimensional scaling (MDS). Solutions resulting from such analyses are sometimes interpreted using external information on the objects. Usually the procedures of CA, MDS and using external information are carried out independently and sequentially, although combinations of two of the three procedures (CA and MDS, or multidimensional scaling and using external information) have been proposed in the literature. The present paper offers a procedure that combines all three procedures in one analysis, using a model that describes a partition of objects with cluster centroids represented in a low-dimensional space, which in turn is related to the information in the external variables. A simulation study is carried out to demonstrate that the method works satisfactorily for data with a known underlying structure. Also, to illustrate the method, it is applied to two empirical data sets.     

The effects of the constancy of location and order in working memory visual–phonological binding of children with dyslexia

It has been suggested that children with dyslexia have difficulties in visual–phonological working memory (WM) binding, supporting the hypothesis that this ability is crucial in the formation of associations between written forms and phonological codes required by reading. However, research on this topic is currently scarce and has not clarified to what extent binding may be supported by spatial and temporal information. The present study examined visual–phonological WM binding performance in a group of children with dyslexia compared to a control group of typically developing children matched for age, gender, and grade. Children had to memorize ephemeral associations between meaningless shapes and nonwords, with stimuli presented in either fixed or variable spatial locations, and in either fixed or variable temporal order across trials; performance was assessed using a recognition task. Results showed that children with dyslexia have a deficit in visual–phonological WM binding in every presentation condition and that, unlike control children, they are not able to use fixed spatial locations as an aid to bind information. Crucially, however, children with dyslexia still benefit from the presentation of stimuli in a fixed temporal order. These findings support the hypothesis that a WM binding deficit is crucial in children with dyslexia, and have potential implications for treatment strategies.     

Effects of the SPARK Teen Mentoring Program for High School Students

Journal of Child and Family Studies - This study employed a randomized controlled trial with pre- and post-intervention measurement to investigate the impact of the Speaking to the Potential,...     

Dialogical Relationship Patterns in Narcissistic Personalities: Session Analysis and Treatment Implications

Patients with narcissistic features are difficult to treat in psychotherapy, in particular because of problems in building sound therapeutic relationships with them. Therapists can get easily involved in dysfunctional relationship patterns that have a negative impact on the therapeutic alliance. Tracing the typical patterns that can recur in persons with narcissistic features should, therefore, prove useful in helping therapists to recognize their involvement in them at an early treatment stage and to deal with them effectively. A dialogical theory of the self offers a promising perspective from which to recognize and describe these patterns. From this vantage point, we discuss the treatment of a client diagnosed as having a narcissistic personality. What occurred during this therapy lends support to the idea that there are typical dialogical relationship patterns in patients with narcissistic features and that knowing them might help therapists to make treatment effective, avoid early dropouts, and successfully manage the therapeutic relationship. In addition, we put forward the hypothesis that some of the therapeutic techniques described here also can be applied to other patients displaying similar narcissistic features.     

On Countertransference

Drawing on non-clinical experience and with reference to relevant literature, this article examines countertransference and its impact on the development of a secure frame, focusing in particular on the countertransference dream and on its significance within the therapeutic relationship.     

Questioning the preparatory function of counterfactual thinking

Why do individuals mentally modify reality (e.g., “If it hadn’t rained, we would have won the game”)? According to the dominant view, counterfactuals primarily serve to prepare future performance. In fact, individuals who have just failed a task tend to modify the uncontrollable features of their attempt (e.g., “If the rules of the game were different, I would have won it”), generating counterfactuals that are unlikely to play any preparatory role. By contrast, they generate prefactuals that focus on the controllable features of their ensuing behavior (e.g., “If I concentrate more, I will win the next game”). Here, we test whether this tendency is robust and general. Studies 1a and 1b replicate this tendency and show that it occurs regardless of whether individuals think about their failures or their successes. Study 2 shows that individuals generate relatively few controllable counterfactuals, unless explicitly prompted to do so. These results raise some questions regarding the generality of the dominant view according to which counterfactuals mainly serve a preparatory function.