Philosophical conceptions of the self: implications for cognitive science

Several recently developed philosophical approaches to the self promise to enhance the exchange of ideas between the philosophy of the mind and the other cognitive sciences. This review examines two important concepts of self: the 'minimal self', a self devoid of temporal extension, and the 'narrative self', which involves personal identity and continuity across time. The notion of a minimal self is first clarified by drawing a distinction between the sense of self-agency and the sense of self-ownership for actions. This distinction is then explored within the neurological domain with specific reference to schizophrenia, in which the sense of self-agency may be disrupted. The convergence between the philosophical debate and empirical study is extended in a discussion of more primitive aspects of self and how these relate to neonatal experience and robotics. The second concept of self, the narrative self, is discussed in the light of Gazzaniga's left-hemisphere 'interpreter' and episodic memory. Extensions of the idea of a narrative self that are consistent with neurological models are then considered. The review illustrates how the philosophical approach can inform cognitive science and suggests that a two-way collaboration may lead to a more fully developed account of the self.     

A new policy initiative. Infants and toddlers with handicapping conditions

Past legislation related to children and families has been used to improve services to specific target groups of children and families in need (i.e., poor, handicapped, etc.) Current legislation, notably Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, and Public Law 99-457 (Part H), Services for Infants and Toddlers with Handicapping Conditions, also includes elements of mandated reform of certain professional practices (i.e., inclusion of parents in planning and requirements for multidisciplinary cooperation). Such a mandate has the effect of putting into practice changes that many professionals have said were needed but were unable to achieve, but it also makes the implementation of these policies more difficult.     

Evaluation of a microskills programme with field-based counsellors: Effects on core attitudes and counselling skills

Two issues relevant to the role of microtraining in counsellor training are examined. Firstly, due to the increasing use of the microcounselling framework for training counsellors, either directly or indirectly, in the Rogerian attitudes, the effects of such a programme on counsellor attitudes was investigated. Secondly, although microskills training has been generally found to improve and increase trainee's helping skills usage and effectiveness, its effects on field-based counsellors have rarely been evalulated. Thus the second objective of the study was to examine this issue. The subjects were 12 counsellors from a number of counselling agencies. Six of these counsellors participated in a microcounselling programme which taught the skills of nonverbal communication, questioning, reflecting, listening, self-disclosure, reinforcement, opening and closing. The data base for the study consisted of videorecordings of each subject's participation in two extended interactions—one involving an individual discussing a real concern, and the other involving an individual discussing a simulated concern. Various measures of counsellor attitudes, effectiveness, skills, and actual behaviours were obtained. Comparison of the experimental and control groups indicated that the microcounselling programme had little effect on any of the aspects of counsellor performance examined. It is concluded that, although aspects of the design may have influenced the results, an integrated microcounselling approach may be more effective in developing attitudes. In addition, it appears that the characteristics of a professional population, such as counsellors, may differ from those of novices, such that problems in effecting change in skilled performance will occur with the former group.     

An investigation into the validity of role play as a procedure for counsellor skill assessment

The aim of this study was to determine the validity of role play as a method for assessing counsellor skill. Video recordings of twelve counsellors' performance in both real and simulated counselling interactions were analysed. Skill assessment included molar ratings of eight skill areas and molecular measures of 28 behaviours. A comparison of counsellor performance between conditions indicated that there was little difference between the real and role-play situations. It is concluded that the modified extended role-play format employed in the present study might be a valid technique for assessment of counselling skills.     

Sex Differences in Expressive Thought of Gifted Children in the Classroom

This study was a comparison of 92 high-achieving gifted girls with 97 high-achieving gifted boys on measures of cognitive thinking, classroom expressiveness, self-concept, and attitudes. These secondary school boys were significantly more expressive than the girls on all classroom variables. Written tests of similar abilities revealed no differences except that the girls were better at giving solutions to hypothetical problems. Differences found in self-concept and attitudes of the present sample supported the conclusions drawn by Kagan that intellectual aggressiveness is seen, in part, as a masculine counterpart and that this type of behavior when visible, as in the classroom discussion, may well raise anxiety and inhibit the gifted girl from full expression. The part played by sex-role expectations in inhibiting the free expression of intellectual power of girls in academic settings and later life would seem to warrant much further investigation. The expressive range of performance within sex groups also represents an important area for investigation.