Attributional self presentation for actors and observers in success and failure situations

Attributions are an important part of self-presentation strategies. In order to favorably control their interpersonal environment, people are motivated to seek social approval in their self-presentations. Social norms determine which types of attributional self-presentations will result in social approval and which will not. A regression analysis was performed which showed that actor-observer conditions interact with success-failure conditions to produce different attributional patterns depending on the particular combination of at-tributor perspective and task outcome. These results are interpreted to mean that different attributional norms exist for actors and observers in success and failure situations. It is concluded that a normative self-presentational approach to attributions which includes both motivational and cognitive factor can help to explain inconsistent findings in the relevant research literature.     

Male Client—Female Therapist

An understanding of the destructive effects of the traditional sex role stereotype on men is important to the female therapist who works with male clients. Males receive strong cultural training that inspires resistance to the vulnerable, emotional, feminine side of their natures and an unwillingness to seek assistance. This article examines difficulties presented by male clients who do seek therapy together with approaches to assisting in the development of a more balanced life that permits both masculinity and femininity in each person.     

GENERALIZABLE BIOGRAPHICAL DATA VALIDITY CAN BE ACHIEVED WITHOUT MULTI-ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND KEYING

This research showed that the validity of a biodata instrument developed and keyed within a single organization can generalize to other organizations. It also examines a criterion measure-rate of promotional progress-that has not been used extensively in biodata research, but has several characteristics that make its use attractive. The validity of the biodata component of the Manager Profile Record (MPR), developed and keyed within a single organization, as a predictor of rate of managerial progress was cross-validated on a sample of 7,334 managers and staff professionals in 24 organizations. Results indicate the MPR was a valid predictor of rate of promotional progress across all organizations and that validity did not vary greatly across organizations ( p = .53, SD_p= .05). The MPR was also a valid predictor for both sexes, as well as for managers of all age groups, lengths of company service, and education levels. These findings demonstrate that multiple-firm development and keying of a biodata instrument was not required for generalizable validity, and argue against the hypothesis of situational specificity. Suggestions for developing biodata instruments in single organizations that will generalize to other organizations include careful attention to the validity and reliability of criterion measures and developing validity at the item level.     

For God, Country, and Family: A Personal Tribute to Christian Fredrik Midelfort, M. D.

Christian Fredrik "Fritz" Midelfort, M.D. was born on October 23, 1906. He died on November 4, 1984 in his home in La Crosse, Wisconsin, some 90 miles from his birthplace of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It was never his ambition as a family therapist to found a "school" or to obtain a following. As one of the pioneers in family therapy, his efforts spanned nearly 40 years. This tribute is intended to stimulate an appreciation for a remarkable family therapist, a seminal thinker, a devoted teacher, and a spirited Christian.     

Personality disorders and psychosocial changes after intensive psychotherapy: A prospective follow-up study of an outpatient psychotherapy project, 5 years after end of treatment*

This report presents the results of a 7-year prospective outcome study designed to examine the psychosocial changes during and after therapy among 25 outpatients suffering from personality disorders and psychoses. The therapeutic approach was based mainly on object relations theory and psychodynamic self-psychology, and focused in particular on affect consciousness, parental images, self-image and interpersonal relations. Twenty patients completed the form which measured psychosocial changes during therapy, and 21 persons participated at follow-up. The data show statistically significant changes in the capacity to tolerate intimate relationships and actually establish such relationships, improved quality of contact in relationships with friends, a general raising of socioeconomic status and reduced use of ordinary health and social services. Both the global psychosocial outcome at follow-up as measured by HSRS and the general level of symptoms measured by SCL-90 suggest that 76% of the sample had reached a level of psychosocial functioning and adaptation that can be defined as “no-caseness”.     

Psychological distress and subjective well‐being in partners of somatically ill or physically disabled: The Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study

Borren, I., Tambs, K., Idstad, M., Ask, H. & Sundet, J. M. (2012). Psychological distress and subjective well‐being in partners of somatically ill or physically disabled: The Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 53, 475–482. This study investigated the cross‐sectional associations between various somatic conditions in one partner and the level of distress and well‐being in the spouse. The study is based on survey data from the Norwegian Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study, HUNT II (1995–1997). A sample of 9,797 married or cohabiting couples with valid data on subjective well‐being (SWB), psychological distress (Hopkins Symptom Check List (SCL)‐10) and somatic illness were identified. Regression analyses stratified by sex were conducted with SCL‐10 and SWB scores as dependent variables and a joint somatic score as predictor, including; stroke, cancer, angina, myocardial infarction and physical disability (PD). The contribution of each somatic condition was also explored. Spouses of persons previously diagnosed with at least one somatic condition scored significantly lower on SWB and significantly higher on SCL‐10 than spouses of healthy persons, though effect sizes were small. The effect seems to be at least partly mediated by the ill partner’s psychological distress. Of the specific conditions, PD had the most significant contribution for both genders, though an association between male angina and spousal distress/SWB was also demonstrated.     

Why Pragmatics Is Probably Enough for Now

In place of aesthetic, essentialist, or foundational pursuits, family therapy might be better served by simply seeking to be helpful. Within such a perspective, ideas are valued/embraced for their functionality and utility. In the following essay, a critical discussion concerning this pragmatic emphasis is undertaken with illustrative clinical case examples from the Eastside Family Centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.