Implicit theories of online trolling: Evidence that attention‐seeking conceptions are associated with increased psychological resilience

Three studies were conducted to investigate people's conceptions of online trolls, particularly conceptions associated with psychological resilience to trolling. In Study 1, a factor analysis of participants’ ratings of characteristics of online trolls found a replicable bifactor model of conceptions of online trolls, with a general factor of general conceptions towards online trolls being identified, but five group factors (attention‐conflict seeking, low self‐confidence, viciousness, uneducated, amusement) as most salient. In Study 2, participants evaluated hypothetical profiles of online trolling messages to establish the validity of the five factors. Three constructs (attention‐conflict seeking, viciousness, and uneducated) were actively employed when people considered profiles of online trolling scenarios. Study 3 introduced a 20‐item ‘Conceptions of Online Trolls scale’ to examine the extent to which the five group factors were associated with resilience to trolling. Results indicated that viewing online trolls as seeking conflict or attention was associated with a decrease in individuals’ negative affect around previous trolling incidents. Overall, the findings suggest that adopting an implicit theories approach can further our understanding and measurement of conceptions towards trolling through the identification of five salient factors, of which at least one factor may act as a resilience strategy.     

Culture and the distinctiveness motive: constructing identity in individualistic and collectivistic contexts

The motive to attain a distinctive identity is sometimes thought to be stronger in, or even specific to, those socialized into individualistic cultures. Using data from 4,751 participants in 21 cultural groups (18 nations and 3 regions), we tested this prediction against our alternative view that culture would moderate the ways in which people achieve feelings of distinctiveness, rather than influence the strength of their motivation to do so. We measured the distinctiveness motive using an indirect technique to avoid cultural response biases. Analyses showed that the distinctiveness motive was not weaker-and, if anything, was stronger-in more collectivistic nations. However, individualism-collectivism was found to moderate the ways in which feelings of distinctiveness were constructed: Distinctiveness was associated more closely with difference and separateness in more individualistic cultures and was associated more closely with social position in more collectivistic cultures. Multilevel analysis confirmed that it is the prevailing beliefs and values in an individual's context, rather than the individual's own beliefs and values, that account for these differences.     

Developing research‐informed practitioners – an organisational perspective

Background: Two current trends are making it increasingly important for counsellors and psychotherapists to be more engaged with research. Evidence of effectiveness is being increasingly demanded by those who fund our therapies and also by our clients. Meanwhile therapy research is offering practicable ways for therapists to improve their practice. Therapy organisations have an opportunity, perhaps even a duty, to meet the research needs of their members. Methods: This paper reports on a survey conducted by the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) to help it plan the activities of its Research Faculty. Findings: Key findings from the survey were that the most common ways of UKCP practitioners engaging with research were through reading, discussions with colleagues and doing research. Engaging with research collaboratively with other therapists, having more time, and access to user‐friendly web‐based research resources and updates, were the factors most commonly cited as supporting practitioner engagement with research. Conversely, lack of time, difficulties accessing resources and materials and feeling not competent were the major barriers to practitioner engagement with research. Discussion: Implications for therapists, for training, and for therapy organisations are considered.     

Book Review

Abstract

Case vignettes are offered to illustrate five principles of self psychological treatment the author believes are generally accepted by self psychologists. A sixth principle is included, contributed by self psychologists informed by intersubjectivity. They are:

1. The centrality of the empathic vantage point for analytic observation. This requires a shift in the listening stance from observing from the outside to observing from the inside. The analyst attempts to listen from within the context of the analysand's subjective reality in order to understand his experience.

2. Alterations in the sense of self must be recognized and understood.

3. When ruptures occur between patient and analyst (selfobject bond), such ruptures are analyzed.

4. From a technical point of view, the careful exploration of both the state of the selfobject bond, and the meanings to the patient of the analytic activity needs to be carefully examined and understood by both patient and analyst.

5. Defensive activities are thought to be undertaken in the service of psychological survival.

6. A deeply entrenched defensive structure may appear as a resistance to progress in treatment. Such pathological structures of accommodation function to dismantle progress in self delineation.     

A three-dimensional model for the octagonal phase

Abstract

A three-dimensional model for the octagonal phase based on a cut-projection from the eight-dimensional hypercubic lattice is presented here. The phason-phonon coupling which leads the octagonal phase into 45° twinned cubic ones is also studied. Conclusions of this realistic model do not modify the previously stated conclusions from the standard but incomplete two-dimensional treatment.     

What makes for good supervision and whose responsibility is it anyway?

This lecture draws on my recent book ‘Supervision in Counselling and Psychotherapy’ and considers the subject of the respective roles and responsibilities of the supervisor and the supervisee. The book is an introduction to psychodynamic supervision, and was intended primarily for those beginning to supervise, although it also has some interest for those who are more experienced and wanting the opportunity to reflect on their practice.

However, it has also generated interest among those who are in supervision, and, as anticipated, many of those present at the lecture were students currently in supervision as well as those beginning to supervise in various contexts. I therefore decided to focus in this paper on supervision as a joint effort. Supervisors need supervisees just as therapists need patients, and both have a role, albeit a different one, in making the process successful. I begin by thinking about the characteristics of good supervision – and importantly, some of the factors that make it a complex and at times a difficult task. I then go onto consider the process of supervision, the part each of us plays in making it productive, and how we can work collaboratively to gain an understanding of the patient.     

Accuracy and perspective in involuntary autobiographical memory

This study investigated accuracy (veridicality) and perspective (point of view) in everyday involuntary memories (i.e. spontaneous recollections of the past). Using the naturalistic diary method, subjects were asked to give confidence ratings on the accuracy of their involuntary memories as well as contact others who were present in them, having them also give confidence ratings. Memory perspective was assessed by asking subjects to indicate whether their memories had a field (original) or observer (the perspective of another) point of view. The results showed subjects assigning high confidence ratings to involuntary memories, which did not differ from the confidence ratings given by others, or from the confidence ratings that they had assigned to their voluntary memories. The perspective query showed that involuntary memories come with both field and observer perspectives, and that their relative proportions did not differ from those reported for their voluntary memories. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effectiveness of follow‐up reminiscence therapy on autobiographical memory in pathological ageing

The objective is to examine the effects of reminiscence therapy (RT) on total, episodic and semantic autobiographical memory in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) groups, testing the effects of RT on different stages of autobiographical memory, and its effectiveness at follow‐up. A sample composed of 43 aMCI (27 treatments, 16 controls) and 30 AD (15 treatments, 15 controls) subjects were evaluated with the Autobiographical Memory Interview (AMI) test. The RT consisted of 10 sessions lasting 60 minutes each. Both groups, aMCI and AD, showed significant effects on overall autobiographical memory; aMCI showed significant main effects on episodic and semantic autobiographical memory in the treatment group, increasing scores in both cases. For AD, significant effects were observed on autobiographical episodic memory, showing an increase in the treatment group from Time 1 to follow‐up; semantic memory showed a decrease in the control group from Time 1 to follow‐up. Results show that RT implementation and follow‐up are effective in increasing autobiographical memory in subjects with aMCI and AD.