The Impact of Need for Achievement Components on Goal Commitment and Performance

A laboratory study examined the effects of components of need for achievement on goal commitment and performance. It was predicted that need for mastery and need for work are related to goal commitment. It was also predicted that need for mastery and need for work are more highly related to goal commitment than competitiveness, given the characteristics of the task environment. Finally, goal commitment was expected to mediate the effects of need for mastery and need for work on performance. Fifty-four undergraduate students performed nine trials of a complex task and completed a need for achievement scale composed of four subscales. Support was obtained for the first two predictions, and evidence of a sequential model partially supported the third prediction.     

Paradoxes,Double Binds,and Reflexive Loops: An Alternative Theoretical Perspective

This article presents a new theory of refiexivity in systems of social meaning and action. It is argued that Russell's Theory of Logical Types, which formed the basis of the early work of the Palo Alto group, rests upon an inappropriate and largely outdated epistemology. The theory offered here rejects the assumption that reflexivity and paradox are coterminous. It is further argued that reflexivity is a natural and necessary feature of human systems of meaning. New analytic tools are offered for discerning problematic from nonproblematic reflexive loops. The new tools take the form of a symbol system that can be used to represent the rules that organize reflexive relationships. The theory also contains a set of statements designed to delimit conditions under which problematic reflexive loops have ramifications for persons' mental health.     

A Case of the Blind Leading the “Blind”: Reframing a Physical Handicap as Competence

Structural and strategic family therapy inform the course of treatment of a family with a blind member. Alteration of the family's view of the problem through reframing the blindness as competence is reported.     

An Introduction to the New DSM-III

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) published in 1980 is increasingly used by counselors. This article discusses and clarifies DSM-III's diagnostic system.     

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Implications and Counseling Considerations

This article presents the special considerations in counseling fetal alcohol syndrome children and their mothers.     

The Buros Institute of Mental Measurements: Commitment to the Tradition of Excellence

This article reviews briefly the history of the Buros Institute of Mental Measurements and then provides an overview of the expanded mission of the Buros Institute. The origins of the Mental Measurements Yearbook series are highlighted, along with discussions of goals and the evolving structure of the Yearbook series. In addition, the bibliographic reference series, Tests in Print, and the specialized monograph series are placed in historic perspective. Goals of the “new” Buros Institute of Mental Measurements, located at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln, are also presented.     

Toward Training for Competence in Multicultural Counselor Education

This article reviews the literature on multicultural counselor education. Counselor training models from social-organizational and counseling psychology are reviewed in terms of their focus on sensitizing counselors to cultural difference. It is recommended that counselor training programs place more emphasis on assessment of counselors' cultural values and attitudes, the therapeutic relationship between counselors, and clients' and counselors' application of cultural knowledge in counseling sessions. Este artículo revisa la literatura sobre la educación de consejeros multi-culturales. Se revisan los modelos de entrenamiento de consejeros sacados de la psicología social/organizational y consejerial en términos de su enfoque en la sensibilización de consejeros a las diferencias culturales. Se recomienda que los programas de entrenamiento de consejeros pongan más énfasis en la estimación de los valores y actitudes culturales de los consejeros, la relacion terapéutica entre consejeros y clientes, y la aplicación del conocimiento cultural por el consejero en las sesiones de consejería.     

Family of Origin Violence and Courtship Abuse

Research has shown that family of origin violence is related to later courtship and marital abuse. Few researchers, however, have distinguished between observed and received violence as a child and expressed and received abuse in adult relationships. Questionnaires addressing these issues were completed by 336 undergraduates. Results indicated that 75% of the sample had expressed threats or actual violence and 64% had received such abuse in an intimate relationship. Only 25% had been publicly identified as a result of the violence. In this sample, 30% had parents who abused each other. Less often, the mother (9.1%) or father (8.5%) had been the sole abuser. Most (76.4%) had been abused as children. Multiple regression indicated that being abused as a child predicted receiving and expressing violence as an adult.