The Butchers, an eclectic approach to family therapy

The thesis of this paper is that differing theoretical constructs offer a variety of rich approaches when responding to the problems families present. To work exclusively within one theoretical framework is to deny oneself the value latent in other models, and thus restrict one's therapeutic competence. It is suggested that various family therapy models can be worked together without contradiction if they are subsumed in an overriding systems approach. It is also pointed out that the various models have particular capabilities and limitations with differing therapeutic goals. Ten interviews with one family are used to illustrate an eclectic approach in therapy.     

Detection of stimulus change: The hypothetical roles of visual transient responses

Two random-dot patterns (D1 and D2) were displayed briefly in close temporal succession, separated by an interstimulus interval (ISI). The two patterns were identical except that D2 could contain one more element (addition) or one less element (subtraction) than D1. Observers were required to detect the addition or subtraction using a two-alternative forced-choice method. Three experiments were designed to examine Phillips and Singer’s (1974) suggestion that detection of additions and subtractions can be explained in terms of neural ON and OFF responses. Experiment 1 replicated Phillips and Singer’s finding that performance is progressively impaired as the ISI is increased. In Experiment 2, sudden shifts in luminance between D1 and D2 were combined with several durations of ISI to produce transient responses in a novel manner. Experiment 3 explored the roles of transient neural responses and of configurational changes as determinants of performance. Most predictions based on Phillips and Singer’s model were confirmed by the experimental outcomes. Some discrepancies between theory and data are noted, and directions for further research are suggested.     

Effects and aftereffects of continuous noise and computation work on risk and effort choices

Choices between risk and effort, in a format (COPE) previously shown to reflect fatigue, were obtained from subjects in noise or quiet. Both sexes were used in the experiment, half the subjects working at the Norinder arithmetic task while half rested. The COPE test took a computational form, offering choices between digit lists of differing lengths in which target sums were imbedded. The baseline choice levels were established in quiet, but half the subjects were exposed to noise during the posttest. As previously found in comparable conditions, the Norinder task showed no effect of noise. Pretest-posttest comparisons on the COPE test showed that exposure to noise, like computation work, had the predicted effect of decreasing the choice of high-probability, high-effort alternatives. The presence of noise during posttest had no overall effect on risk effort choices, although there were indications that changes of any kind in the test conditions might be a factor. The data seem difficult to explain in an arousal framework, but may be simply interpreted as showing that exposure to noise produces real fatigue.     

Relations between visceral and behavioral function in men at bedrest

Multiple physiological measurements as well as a self-assessment of arousal was made in eight men on the first, third, and fifth days of bedrest. On the third day, additional measurements of performance on memory and dexterity tasks were made. Univariate analysis did not reveal any physiological variable to either predict subsequent performance well or to co-vary acutely with it; however, self-rating scores did prove to be useful predictors of subsequent performance. Principal components analysis suggested an“alertness” factor comprised of physiological measures as well as selfratings which helped in predicting better performance. Although the individual patterns of correlations between variables on each of the three test days was variable, even more variability between subjects was found on the performance testing day. We believe this effect of behavioral activation may be due to the injection of common, slow temporal trends into many of the different data sets.     

Preschool children's preferences and recall for stereotyped versus nonstereotyped stories

This study assessed children's preferences and recall for stereotyped versus non-stereotyped stories. The sample consisted of 32 preschool children, ranging in age from 60 months to 75 months. Four stories with boys or girls as the main character, each portraying typically masculine or feminine activities, were read to each child. Both preference and recall measures were obtained immediately and one day later. The hypothesis was confirmed that the stories were differentially preferred by boys and girls as a function of stereotyping of story. Girls preferred the story with a female character and a feminine activity and least preferred the story with a male character and a masculine activity. For boys, the reverse was true. The second choice for both boys and girls involved preference for activity, not sex of main character. A cross-lagged panel revealed that preference at Time 1 was causally related to recall at Time 2. The children remembered the most at Time 2 about the stories they liked the least at Time 1.This article is based on the first author's master's thesis, submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a M.S. degree at the University of Georgia. A summary of this research was presented at the Fourth Annual Southeastern Conference on the Family and the Child, Athens, Ga., 1979.     

The management of children''s distress in response to painful medical treatment for burn injuries

The purpose of the current study was to develop an initial assessment of the efficacy of astress-management program designed to reduce the behavioral distress of children undergoing highlypainful medical treatments for their burn injuries. The stress-management program was delivered to 4 male patients, ages 5–12 yr and its effects assessed in a combined multiple-baseline and reversal design. Results indicated that the program was moderately effective at reducing behavioral distress during the burntreatment procedures for 3 of the 4 patients and less effective with the fourth. However, the design also revealed that the presence of a therapist to coach the patient in the use of these techniques was essential and that distress levels rose substantially on days when there was no therapist present. Finally, speculations concerning the factors responsible for the effectiveness of the stress-management program as well as its reduced efficacy with 1 S were discussed.     

Aversive smoking therapies: A conditioning analysis of therapeutic effectiveness

Rapid smoking (RS) and a less aversive rapid-puffing (RP) treatment were compared on ability to enhance the impact of a behavioral-counseling (BC) procedure on psychophysiological, attitudinal and behavioral response to cigarettes. Data reveal that both aversive smoking treatments resulted in less smoking once treatment began, reduced smoking in post-treatment taste tests, and superior follow-up performance at 6 months and 1 yr. At 1 yr, RS S s achieved the highest number of days abstinent of any group. Regression analyses showed that Ss' confidence ratings of remaining abstinent were highly predictive of follow-up status, and that these ratings were related to number of cigarettes smoked during treatment and amount of smoking during post-treatment taste tests.     

Nearest neighbor analysis of point processes: Applications to multidimensional scaling

A new approach for evaluating spatial statistical models based on the (random) number 0 ≤ N(i, n) ≤ n of points whose nearest neighbor is i in an ensemble of n + 1 points is discussed. The second moment of N(i, n) offers a measure of the centrality of the ensemble. The asymptotic distribution of N(i, n) and the expected degree of centrality for several spatial and nonspatial point processes is described. The use of centrality as a diagnostic statistic for multidimensional scaling is explored.     

Distractibility and hypersensitivity

The present paper reports on the development of a modified problem checklist for use in normal samples of elementary school children. The two factors, Hypersensitivity and Distractibility, replicated over male and female samples. Hypersensitivity showed a significant grade effect, with a decrease between the first and second grade for both boys and girls. In contrast, boys scored higher than girls on Distractibility and there were no grade differences. Convergent validitiy data from peer judgments, in-class activity level, physical fitness measures, standardized achievement scores, and a comparison with another teacher judgment are presented. In addition, three Behavioral Problem Checklist (Quay & Peterson, 1967) dimensions, Conduct Problem, Personality Problem, and Inadequacy--Immaturity, were developed and their relationships to the independent measures, as well as to the new dimensions, are presented. The pattern of correlations of Distractibility was quite similar for boys and girls, with both being rated as Mean-Noisy by their peers. The findings for Hypersensitivity were somewhat weaker. Distractibility and Conduct Problem scores reflected a similar pattern of correlations with other variables; in a like manner, Hypersensitivity and Personality Problem scores reflected a similar pattern of correlations with other variables. Distractibility was related to an increased activity level and Hypersensitivity was related to a decreased activity level in young boys. The total number of behavior problems was related to a decrease in activity level for young girls. Older Distractible and Hypersensitive girls showed different patterns of activity level. It is proposed that problem behavior is more complex for older children and that Distractibility may be less influenced by the usual socialization process of school than is Hypersensitivity and may have some congenital antecedents.