Problems and possibilities of cross-cultural supervision

Supervision across cultural boundaries has problems and possibilities. Culture plays a role in the teaching, learning, and helping processes. In one international Swiss setting certain observations are noted: (1) The use of one's culture is described as a major defense mechanism; (2) Cultural stereotyping can become a means to avoid engagement; (3) A supposed cultural neutrality encourages cultural confusion which, like role confusion, complicates interpersonal relationships; (4) Some students are intimidated by other cultural groups and unable to recognize or deal with their feelings; (5) Body language and other nonverbal expressions play an important role in cross-cultural counseling and supervision; (6) Culture Shock in its various stages can be indicated as a major stress item and is comparable to grief and shock reactions; (7) The given piety of a culture sometimes means that cultural differences are often greater from one country to another than denominational or religious differences, even within one denominational group.He is a member of the German Society for Pastoral Psychology.     

A temporary threshold shift for self-motion detection following sustained,oscillating linear acceleration

Thresholds for detecting linear motion (self-motion) increased following exposure of human observers to sustained linear oscillation (fatiguing stimulus) at 0.26 Hz and approximately 0.5 G peak-to-peak for durations up to 30 min. Recovery to preexposure levels took place over a period of 10 to 15 rain following the sustained oscillation termination. Differences in threshold shift magnitudes following sustained oscillation in various orientations support the interpretation that the observed threshold shifts resulted from fatigue of the utricular otolith receptors. Threshold shifts were not obtained following exposure of the human observers to sustained, unidirectional linear acceleration (2 G) for durations up to 10 rain with a centrifuge. The results of this study suggest a previously unobserved response property of the otolith organs, namely, that these organs can be fatigued in a manner analogous to other receptor systems.     

Nonconsummatory and consummatory behavioral CRs elicited by lithium- and amphetamine-paired flavors

Various behavioral CRs elicited by saccharin solution previously paired with either lithium or amphetamine were measured in a series of four experiments. With one conditioning trial, lithium (Experiment 1), but not amphetamine (Experiment 2), produced nonconsummatory behavioral evidence of conditioning in the form of chin-rub CRs; both drugs, however, produced strong flavor aversions. With 3 conditioning trials, lithium- and amphetamine-paired flavors elicited a pattern of agitated activity, characterized by increased general activity, rearing duration, and body temperature, when the flavor was forcibly presented through an intraoral cannula (Experiment 3). When the flavor was presented in a single-bottle test (Experiment 4), 3 conditioning trials produced a similar pattern of agitated activity characterized by increased general activity, rearing (duration and frequency), stretching (duration and frequency), and limb flicking. Although both drugs supported the pattern of increased agitation-related CRs, only the lithium-paired flavors elicited chin-rub CRs (Experiments 1, 3, and 4). The difference between the drug conditions was not the result of a greater saccharin aversion in the lithium-conditioned group than in the amphetamine-conditioned group (Experiment 4). The results are related to findings that suggest that flavor aversions are mediated by a shift in the hedonic properties of the drug-paired flavors.     

What’s in a name, what’s in a place? The role of verbal labels in distinct cognitive tasks

The effects of congruent and incongruent labelling on two simple cognitive tasks, sequence learning and place learning, were investigated. The results of both studies indicate the greater cognitive importance of information derived from the object compared to information derived from the verbal label.     

The Reinvention of Behavioral Health Services in the VA System

The Veterans Health Administration under the direction of Kenneth Kizer, M.D., has faced the challenge of providing high-quality health care while controlling costs. Under Dr. Kizer's direction, VA hospitals are moving toward managed patient centered primary care. Hospital organization, funding, and clinical practices have been changed. Reorganization has meant a variety of possibilities for psychologists employed in the VA system.