Mental Imagery in Counseling

Heightened interest in conscious mind phenomena such as mental imagery has been evident among professionals and lay people in recent years. In this article the author discusses some of the uses of mental imagery techniques in counseling. Special emphasis is given to the potential of mental images in the tapping of creative energy and other positive aspects of the “higher self that may enhance daily living. These uses of mental imagery have significant implications for contemporary counselors.     

Behavioral-Systems Marital Therapy: Dealing With Resistance

Recently there has been a dramatic increase in attempts to integrate certain intervention components of behavioral and systems approaches with marital and family therapy. This paper elaborates on a previously described behavioral-systems approach by focusing primarily on the issue of resistance to therapeutic progress within the behavioral framework. First, potential reasons for major resistance phenomena are suggested. Then, in the context of a social learning theory model of assessment and intervention, specific clinical indications are discussed for departing from the basic behavioral approach in order to deal with resistance. Finally, a variety of interpretive and strategic intervention techniques are described and illustrated by clinical case materials     

SOURCE-RELATED DETERMINANTS OF PERCEIVED JOB SCOPE

The effect of manipulating source competence, locus of control, and social cues on perceived job scope was examined in an experimental study. A total of 185 business students participated in a 2×2×2×2 factorial research design. The design partitions were: task level (enriched versus unenriched), social cues (positive versus neutral), source competence (high versus low), and locus of control (high versus low). Subjects were screened on a locus of control measure such that those either in the upper or lower third score range were eligible to participate. A three-way interaction was found, involving source competence × social cues × locus of control on perceived job scope. The results of this study are discussed in terms of the Social Information Processing Approach (SIPA) to task design.