Children Who Hate by Fritz Redl and David Wineman

This paper describes a dynamically oriented group aftercare program for alcoholics and other substance abusers. The chronic nature of alcoholism and the need to insure that initial progress is not followed by regression point to the need for continuity of care, extending beyond the initial detoxification or initial crisis phase. The group-oriented aftercare program at Appleton Outpatient Clinic follows an intensive five-week program in either our outpatient clinic or Appleton's inpatient setting. The preparatory group and educational experiences that patients participate in prior to their entry into a long-term aftercare group are detailed. Finally, special issues that emerge in the long-term groups are discussed including (1) the group contract, (2) alcohol-related group defenses, and (3) management of the patient who drinks.     

A Preliminary Outline for a Fantasy Projection Technique as a Clinical Instrument

This paper considers the effects of an initial period of “forced” nonconformity on commitment to an independent position in later trials of an Asch-type experiment. Nonconformity was “forced” in the sense that experimental subjects' choices were made to appear deviant by manipulation of the choices of the fictitious discrepant majority who “responded” after experimental subjects. Compared with control subjects who did not experience initial forced deviation, experimental subjects conformed significantly less during a subsequent block of trials where response order was reversed, thereby allowing them to know the choices of the fictitious majority before giving their choice. When the experiment was interpreted within a symbolic interactionism framework, it was hypothesized that two forms of commitment to an independent position, self-commitment and group-commitment, might follow initial “nonconforming” behavior in the group. Data from postsession interviews suggest self-expectations to be more important than imputed group-expectations in the development of a commitment to an independent position.     

A Short Report concerning the Einstellung Effect

Participants were given a series of water jug problems, in a study designed to extend the generality of findings concerning the persistence of a disadvantageous set (Einstellung effect) in problem solving. In contrast to previous research, set-inducing instructions described a general tactic, avoiding reference to specific labeled jugs. Results were inconsistent with those of previous studies. It is suggested that Einstellung effects may depend upon consistent cues that lend themselves to a simple coding scheme.     

Observations on the Meaning of Behavior in Groups of Chronic Schizophrenics

Abstract

In the United States, there is currently an increase in admissions to psychiatric hospitals, diagnostic heterogeneity, briefer stays, and a lack of inpatient research. Most traditional group therapy models are constructed for longer-term homogeneous patients. Diagnostically homogeneous groups even outperform heterogeneous groups. However, changes in health care have created a clinical dilemma in psychiatric hospitals where groups have become characterized by brief duration, rapid turnover, and diagnostic heterogeneity. A literature review offered little in the way of treatment recommendations, let alone a model or empirical basis, for facilitating these types of groups. Common factors from group therapy studies were extracted. Based on an integration of these studies, a process-oriented psychoeducational (POP) treatment model is recommended. This model is theoretically constructed and outlined for future study.     

Investigating the motivations underlying harmful social behaviors and the motivational nature of social norms

The present research applies a self‐determination theory framework to capture the broad spectrum of reasons why individuals engage in harmful normative behaviors. This correlational study (N = 242) focused on harmful behaviors that were either supported by one's in‐group or not. Participants whose in‐group encourages them to engage in a harmful behavior reported stronger motivation, both self‐determined and non‐self‐determined. Perceiving strong in‐group norms in favor of these behaviors was associated positively with the non‐self‐determined motivation pertaining to introjected regulation. The more participants agreed with an in‐group norm in favor of a harmful behavior, the stronger their self‐determination for engaging in this behavior. Results are discussed in light of self‐determination theory, normative models of social influence, and intergroup theories.     

Contextual Connections to Puns in Tom Swifties

Previous research conducted with short fables was replicated in this study with Swifties in which sentence length and presence of a pun were controlled. Of the 24 one-sentence word plays shown to each participant, half had an enhanced contextual connection that was predicted to increase appropriateness and detection of the incongruity, resulting in heightened perceived cleverness and humor. Results supported predictions, showing especially strong enhancement of perceived cleverness. The authors suggest that this outcome could be generalized to other forms of word play.