The mechanist and the snail

Conclusion Using an example drawn from evolutionary biology, I have shown that distinct, competing explanations may nonetheless postulate identical networks of causal processes and interactions. It follows from this that to provide a causal explanation is to do more than describe a network of causal processes and interactions. In the example given, it seems that the proffered explanations also purport to describe probabilistic causal relations of the sort rejected by Salmon.     

Open live supervision in family therapy

This article reviews changes in models of supervision, resulting from technological developments and reflecting a variety of theoretical approaches. The focus is on open live supervision, conducted in the presence of the family. The supervisor and a therapeutic team join the therapist and the family, creating a complex supra-system that opens up several options for therapeutic intervention. Sessions are videotaped, and therapists use recordings for additional supervision and independent study. Therapists may also show recordings to the family as part of the therapeutic process. The advantages and disadvantages of the model are considered, and examples of some of the therapeutic options are described.This model was developed in the course of the author's work teaching and supervising students at the Counseling Department of the School of Education at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and supervising a multi-disciplinary team including physicians, psychologists, and social workers engaged in family therapy at the Municipal Psychological Services for Schools in Jerusalem. A shorter version of this article appeared in Hebrew inSihot 5 1991. Appreciation is expressed to Batya Stein for translating the final version of this article from Hebrew. Reprint requests should be addressed to Katrit Ron, Neve Granot 3-B, Jerusalem 93706, Israel.     

7. The Hero's Return

ABSTRACT Chapter 7 discusses the synthesis of the five-factor and life-story models into an integrative model that is applied to the case study of Dodge Morgan. Such integration allows new ways of thinking, considers multiple levels of analysis, and solves problems that cannot be approached by either model individually. Through the combined lenses of these trait and phenomenological models, one can not only view an individual personality at a higher level of abstraction, but also achieve a different understanding of the models themselves. We discuss the impact of the voyage on Morgan's psychological development; we also analyze post-voyage assessments and personal documents with reference to consistency and change, personal meaning, and the balancing of agentic and communal motivations.     

8. Reflections on the Journey

ABSTRACT In the context of the Dodge Morgan case study, we discuss holistic analysis of personality. In such analysis, apparently separate, even contradictory, approaches can be integrated to produce a metalevel understanding. In our analysis, a trait and a phenomenological model worked effectively in concert; qualitative and quantitative analyses produced a fruitful synergy. We consider the implications of multilevel understanding of personality for future investigations. We also consider the limitations of personality theory with respect to the construct of personality change, as well as the changes in the investigators' perspectives that occurred over the period of study of the Morgan data.     

1. Introduction

ABSTRACT In this article, we introduce the case study of Dodge Morgan, who, at the age of 54, completed a nonstop, solo circumnavigation of the earth in his boat American Promise. Our investigation builds upon a unique foundation of qualitative and quantitative data, which includes extensive formal assessments, content analysis of Morgan's voyage log, additional autobiographical material, and diverse collateral biographical sources. We describe our intent of applying two theoretical models of personality, the five-factor model and the life-story model, to the data, and present an overview of their differing perspectives and predictions. We discuss technical challenges of methodology and integration, and introduce the subsequent chapters comprising the full case study.     

3. The Voyager and the Voyage

ABSTRACT Chapter 3 presents the biography of Dodge Morgan from childhood through the end of his remarkable voyage. Derived from biographical and autobiographical sources, his life narrative is presented chronologically as basic data for our case study. The importance of his male role models, his early love of sailing, and his later adventures on boats, in Alaska, and in the business world are illustrated. We describe the context of his voyage and his intense, thorough voyage preparations, both external and internal. We also delineate his successful circumnavigation in detail.     

4. Personality Profiles

ABSTRACT Chapter 4 discusses the origins of the Dodge Morgan case study and the circumstances of his assessments. We present findings in the contexts of both the five-factor model (FFM) and the life-story model (LSM). We interpret Personality Research Form scale scores within the five-factor structure in order to create Morgan's FFM personality profile, which is supplemented with Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) data. We structure his LSM profile from multiple evaluations, including his TAT protocol and his earliest memories; from autobiographical data, including his published writings; and from additional biographical sources. Finally, we discuss the strengths and limitations of each theory and profile construction method.     

How Generalizable Are Adolescents' Beliefs About Pro-Drug Pressures and Resistance Self-Efficacy?1

Based on three waves of data from 1261 adolescents, this study examines the nature of resistance self-efficacy vis-a-vis different drugs and social situations, as well as its relationship to perceived pressure to use drugs. We found that both self-efficacy and perceived pressure to use drugs appear to be generalizable across substances (alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana), but adolescents do tend to distinguish between their capacity to resist drugs in different social situations. Adolescents also discriminate between how much pressure they feel and their ability to resist that pressure, but the great majority report lower levels of self-efficacy in higher pressure situations. This relationship is strongest for alcohol and weakest for marijuana. These results suggest the following implications for prevention programs: (a) adolescents can be taught to resist one or more of the commonly used drugs with a reasonable expectation that the skills will generalize to other drugs; (b) resistance self-efficacy learned in one situation can be expected to have some generalizability to other situations, but it may be important to link resistance training with a range of situations to insure the greatest effectiveness; (c) to be maximally effective, prevention programs may need to help adolescents reduce the amount of pressure experienced as well as develop resistance skills; such efforts are likely to be particularly important for situations involving alcohol.     

New models in research and design: New concepts of unity in planning and policy-making

Van Lohuizen’s ideal of unity, must above all be seen as a challenge to attain the necessary integration of planning, research, and design to meet the requirements of a changing society. Though Van Lohuizen's ideas were influenced strongly by the rational and technical principles of the CIAM, he saw technology as a means to an end in an approach that is primarily based on humans and culture. In the ideas of Van Lohuizen, different dimensions can be traced. New developments in these dimensions are discussed in the article. There is no lack of innovative ideas and methods. Nearly all the ideas and methods discussed were developed in the forties, fifties, or sixties. On the basis of the incubation period required for introduction on a wider scale, it is now time for them to find greater favor with society. Following the years of a no-nonsense policy, it seems that in many fields there is a new need for a wider, more qualitative approach. Ron van Eck studied architecture and management research at the University of Technology of Delft. He is working at the RIW—Research Institute of the Department of Architecture at the University of Technology of Delft, and at the Network for Spatial Organisation in Amsterdam.