On phi-phenomena

The meaning of "phi" in Max Wertheimer 's 1912 article on seen movement (the publication of which marks the beginning of Gestalt psychology) and the import of the article itself were topics of a report in this Journal. The claims made in that report are questioned here, and a different interpretation of phi and the original article is offered.     

Pastoral visitation to the institutionalized aged: Delivering more than a lick and a promise

A representative nationwide survey of elderly in nursing home facilities was conducted by the Lutheran Council U.S.A. Visitation by family ministers and facility chaplains, a major study focus, was characterized by the elderly as not meeting their needs in terms of frequency and time available with clergy. Time constraints of the clergy are communicated to the elderly, who are understanding but nevertheless felt shortchanged. The elderly without visits from relatives or significant others are particularly vulnerable. Dominant themes within pastoral care visitation are highlighted.Dr. Uhlman is Director of Research and Evaluation and Reverend Steinke is Director of the Clinical Pastoral Education Program with Mental Health Services of the Roanoke Valley, 920 South Jefferson Street, Roanoke, Virginia 24016. The authors wish to acknowledge the Aid Association for the Lutheran Insurance Company and Concordia Teachers College (River Forest, Illinois), which assisted with financial costs and data analysis. Special recognition and appreciation should be noted for the elderly respondents whose participation made our experience both rewarding and enlightening.     

Incarnation and pastoral care

This essay is an examination of the usefulness of incarnation as a theological metaphor for pastoral care and counseling. Understanding the incarnation as both an event and as a paradigm of God's relationship to the world provides a theological perspective for examining four interrelated questions about identity and the helping relationship frequently asked by the pastoral care-giver. The incarnation metaphor finally frees us to care in the confidence that in God the Incarnating One, all things, including our care for the sick, are held together.Dr. Anderson is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Counseling at Wartburg Theological Seminary, 333 Wartburg Place, Dubuque, Iowa 52001.     

Messianic hopes and the crisis of relativism: A common process in pastoral counseling

This essay explores the dynamics underlying the search for a Messiah in psychotherapy. It argues that the disenchantment with one's Messiah emerges primarily from the confrontation with multiple messiahs, and hence, the personal crisis of relativism. The nature of this personal crisis is investigated through the developmental scheme of William Perry. Suggestions are made as to how pastoral counselors can help those struggling with the problem of relativism.The Southeastern Illinois Center for Pastoral Counseling is located at 100 South Church Street, Carmi, Illinois, 62821.     

Pastoral theologian of the year,William Barr Oglesby,Jr.

This article acknowledging and celebrating William Barr Oglesby, Jr. as Pastoral Theologian of the Year for 1983, was originally published inPastoral Psychology 32(1) in Fall, 1983. As a result of some errors that inadvertently modified both the tone and the meaning of the text, we are republishing this article here in its entirety.     

PREDICTING TEST PERFORMANCE: A CONTENT VALID APPROACH TO SCREENING APPLICANTS

This study examined the validity of a rationally developed biographical questionnaire for predicting content valid test performance for electrician applicants ( N = 221). Job analysis task statements were utilized as biographical items, and applicants were required to rate their previous work experience regarding each task. The utility of the questionnaire in screening applicant populations was shown to be both statistically and practically significant. EEOC implications are discussed.     

Stability of magnitude production scales for oral and nonoral vibrotactile mechanoreceptive systems

The stability of oral and nonoral vibrotactile magnitude scales produced by the method of magnitude production was investigated for 11 adult subjects. Each subject was tested over four sessions separated by 1-wk. intervals. Data analyses included correlations across trials of power function slopes as well as individual adjustments of intensity. Analysis showed a lack of stability over time for the slope functions obtained on the thenar eminence but moderate stability for the functions obtained on the tongue. Individual adjustments on intensity showed consistently high correlations across trials and structures. It was concluded that the subjects' responses were guided by the imposed experimental variables and that each individual's scaling was not necessarily reflected by the correlations based on power function slopes established over the four trials.