On the psychodynamics of collecting1

The urge to collect is a ubiquitous phenomenon which has anthropological, sociobiological and individual psychodynamic roots, but occurs far more frequently among men than women. The author examines the reasons for this gender difference and defi nes systematic collecting to distinguish it from addictive, obsessive and messy collecting, and from related phenomena such as perversion. The mode of collecting and choice of object are important indicators as to the unconscious psychodynamics of a collector and offer opportunity to describe his structural level. Collecting ranges across a broad spectrum, from an ego‐syntonic integrated mode, i.e. sublimation, to a neurotic defence against pre‐oedipal or oedipal traumas and confl icts. Alongside this drive‐theoretical approach, object and Kleinian theory are also applied to the understanding of collecting. Collecting represents a specifi c form of object relating and way of handling primary loss trauma, which is different from addiction, compulsion, or perversion. Under certain circumstances collecting can also result in a successful Gestalt or way of life. The paper concludes with a case study showing how collecting develops from a pre‐oedipal to a more integrated oedipal mode during the course of the analysis, which is refl ected in changes in the transference.     

Perceiving concealment in relationships between parents and adolescents: Links with parental behavior

Although concealment in relationships is commonplace, little is known about its implications for the target of concealment. Two large‐scale studies among adolescents and their parents tested the central hypothesis that parents’ perception of child concealment predicts poorer parenting behaviors toward their child. Further, we investigated whether actual child concealment adds to the prediction of parenting behaviors through an interaction with parental perception of concealment. Study 1 yielded evidence for the hypothesized link, which was independent of actual concealment. Study 2 largely replicated these results for perceptions of both concealment and lying while controlling for perceptions of disclosure. Overall, these results suggest that parents’ perception of child concealment coincides with poorer parenting behaviors, regardless of actual child concealment.     

Easy Knowledge

Stewart Cohen has recently presented solutions to two forms of what he calls "The Problem of Easy Knowledge" ("Basic Knowledge and the Problem of Easy Knowledge," Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, LXV, 2, September 2002, pp. 309-329). I offer alternative solutions. Like Cohen's, my solutions allow for basic knowledge. Unlike his, they do not require that we distinguish between animal and reflective knowledge, restrict the applicability of closure under known entailments, or deny the ability of basic knowledge to combine with self-knowledge to provide inductive evidential support. My solution to the closure version of the problem covers a variation on the problem that is immune to Cohen's approach. My response to the bootstrapping version presents reasons to question whether the problem case, as Cohen presents it, is even possible, and, assuming it is, my solution avoids a false implication of Cohen's own. The key to my solutions for both versions is the distinction between an inference's transferring epistemic support, on the one hand, and its not begging the question against skeptics, on the other.     

Saints With Glasses: Mexican Catholics in Alcoholics Anonymous

Observers of religion in the contemporary United States have interpreted participation in quasi-religious organizations as evidence of dissatisfaction with traditional religious institutions. In Latin America, the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age: A Brief History of AA New York Alcoholics Anonymous World Services 1983  [Google Scholar] are associated with Protestant spirituality and membership in the group has been seen as rejection of the Roman Catholic Church. However, instead of abandoning their religious affiliations, Catholic men in one Mexican Alcoholics Anonymous chapter put their new beliefs and practices into the service of the old. They revised both their conception of God and their manner of participating in fiestas to become better functioning Catholics.     

AN EXPLORATORY INVESTIGATION INTO THEORETICAL MECHANISMS UNDERLYING REALISTIC JOB PREVIEWS

This research explored complex theories about why realistic job previews (RJPs) deter turnover. After designing an RJP booklet about nursing work, we delivered this RJP to 82 newly hired nurses during orientation, while presenting a traditional recruitment brochure to 76 other nurses. Nurses also completed surveys on two occasions, assessing processes commonly thought to translate RJP influence: met expectations; commitment; perceived employer caring; coping efficacy; and value orientation. The RJP lowered voluntary quits: 8.5% of nurses given previews quit versus 17.8% of control nurses (p ≤ .10). Using structural equation methodology (SEM), we compared two integrative formulations portraying different structural networks among mechanisms behind RJP influence. Observed data appeared more consistent with an interdependent than independent mediating process model. In particular, these data suggest that met expectations have direct and indirect effects through other mediators (e.g., organizational concern and coping) on turnover precursors–namely, job satisfaction and organizational commitment.     

Reflections on Ways to Create a Safe Therapeutic Culture for Children in Family Therapy

Although a large number of publications in the family therapy field stress the importance of children in family therapy, some authors report that, in practice, many family therapists do not actively involve children in their therapies. In this article, I reflect on the experiential reasons for this exclusion of children. I will consider the importance of the use of the self of the therapist and of the creation of a safe therapeutic culture for the child. Practical suggestions are made of ways to involve children in family therapy. Finally, these ideas are illustrated in a case example of a family therapy with an adoptive family.     

The Therapeutic Advantage to the Family Therapist of Intervening in the Family-Clinician System

Attempting family therapy in the context of a family-clinician system poses extreme difficulties for the therapist. He cannot be effective if he diagnoses only the family system. He must broaden his analysis to include other clinicians' transactions with the family. Once he accomplishes this perceptual leap, he can intervene in the family-clinician system most effectively with paradoxical methods. He may find that a change in his own contribution to the system solves the family's problem.