Countertransference, empathy, and the analytic ideal: the impact of life stresses on analytic capability

Analysts' emotional attitudes toward countertransference issues are influenced by unduly perfectionistic ideals that are partly derived from the early period of psychoanalytic theory. Analysts' unconscious receptivity, whether of the beneficially empathic kind or the disadvantageous countertransference variety, is a reflection of a dynamic internal state. This fundamental relationship between empathy and countertransference is illustrated with examples. Important events that occur in the life of the analyst, by virtue of their impact on his own central compromise formations, cannot but affect his analytic functioning. Minor disturbances in analytic capability are commonplace and do not significantly handicap effective work.     

Effect of levels of exercise on psychological mood states, physical fitness, and plasma beta-endorphin

Aerobic exercise which resulted in a significant improvement in cardiovascular functioning had no more effect on psychological mood states than did the placebo control of participation in nonaerobic recreational games or no exercise and sport at all (N = 430 college students). Beta-endorphin levels with the 41 depressed subjects were not a biochemical link that might explain the possible influence of physical activity on depression.     

Gifted children and Visual Aural Digit Span test performance

The performance of 81 gifted elementary students on the Visual Aural Digit Span test is discussed. The students generally showed advanced performance from Grade 1 through Grade 5 and from age 7-0 yr. through 11-11 yr. Performance at Grade 6 and the 12-0 to 12-11-yr.-old levels were generally at age-expected levels and were probably restricted due to the test's limited ceiling. Tables of means across grade and age and needs for further research are also presented.