Generation of a new Space

This paper addresses a significant gender issue in the Chinese religious culture of Taiwan. The exclusion of deceased maidens from family and ancestral lineages leaves relations between the living and the dead disordered. People believe that homeless maidens become restless, polluting ghosts after death who will bring misfortune to their family and others in society. The case study examined here is a correction to the exclusion/pollution/homelessness of maiden-spirits through ‘adoption’ in the maiden-temple of Sam-giap. I will analyse how spirit-adoption in the Sam-giap maiden-temple constitutes an attempt to correct that disorder and pollution. I will also argue that one result of the Sam-giap corrective practice is the generation of a new space for maiden-spirits in which a new category that disrupts the opposition of ghosts and ancestors emerges.     

Naturalistic Observation in Psychoanalysis

Abstract

The writer advocates a naturalistic approach to psychoanalysis. The Jane Goodall technique is an application of this approach in which the analyst studies the analysand as a naturalist would study and document the behavior of an animal species. The technique is particularly useful during difficult phases of treatment, and is sometimes quite powerful. Case material is presented showing how use of the technique can identify various forms of emotional induction used by analysands, the kinds of inductions which often produce countertransference reactions. Topics discussed include projective identification, supervision, and nature of psychoanalytic facts.     

Exploring Confluence

Healthy coupling, defined as coupling which supports the growth of the personhood of both partners, is explored herin. Healthy coupling is viewed as being based on a rhythm of confluence (formation of a "We" from the "I" and the "Thou") and difluence (clear differentiation of an "I" and a "Thou" from the "We"). Criteria for the recognition of natural, flexible confluence and difluence are contrasted with those of an unnatural, rigid pattern.     

Resolving the Curious Paradox of the (A)Sexual Lesbian

SUMMARY

Lesbians' erotic lives have been bracketed by opposing sexual narratives. According to a variety of experts, sex between two women is an unnatural and unlikely event. Data from a number of other sources suggest that lesbian sex is both frequent and ecstatic. For many long term partners, these polarized narratives serve as filters, screening out a myriad of middle ground practices and scenarios. Because more subtle possibilities are invisible or discounted, couple's only alternative-after the passionate courtship phase of the relationship has ended-is lesbian bed death. In such cases, renewed erotic contact depends on the restoration of the erased sexual middle-ground. This paper focuses on the strategies clinicians can use to neutralize the hegemonic either/or lesbian sexual narratives and expand their client's erotic repertoires.     

Christian Life Emphasis in the Retirement Community: A Koinonia of Spiritual Awareness

ABSTRACT

Retirement Community living sponsored by groups of churches or related, in any direct sense, to a purpose that is called Christian, should, in very specific ways, demonstrate that faith in Christ is an integral part of resident life.

An organization, within the retirement community of Holly Hall in Houston, Texas, seeks to fulfill that requirement by a deliberate commitment to what is called Christian Life Emphasis. It involves a variety of bonding rituals and a ministry of resident to resident that enables spiritual awareness to permeate the continuum of care.     

Beyond the Biomedical Paradigm: Generating a Spiritual Vision of Ageing

SUMMARY

The time has come to enlarge our understanding of what an ageing older person truly is. What is called for is an approach to ageing and its multiple processes that moves beyond an empirical research model, which is limited to a positivistic focus on the bio-medical and social conditions of ageing. The spiritual dimension of the individual as well as the physical and social need to be acknowledged and valued in any definition of human existence. A segmental approach to the ageing process can only result on a reductionistic, one-dimensional caricature of the older person. There is an imperative need for the inclusion of the spiritual dimension in the study of ageing and its meaning. By issuing a call for a new wholistic paradigm that moves beyond the bio-medical model, and understanding the personhood is affirmed which includes a person's capacity to find meaning in life, indeed, even in ageing, suffering and dying.     

胚胎期可卡因、吗啡暴露影响子代成瘾相关行为的神经发育机制

孕期使用毒品可影响胎儿大脑的正常发育,导致脑内神经递质系统异常以及行为的改变.近年来不断有研究证据提示,胚胎期接触可卡因、吗啡等成瘾药物,可以影响神经细胞的增殖、迁移或凋亡等发育过程,使中脑皮层边缘系统中多巴胺、GABA、谷氨酸等神经元形态、受体功能以及突触可塑性发生改变,从而导致子代的学习记忆和成瘾易感性等行为异常.本文将从行为、神经发育、递质系统以及脑功能等层面归纳胚胎期用药对成瘾相关行为影响机制的重要研究进展,并试图提出可能的研究展望.     

前摄干扰对工作记忆的作用——大脑如何解决前摄干扰?

前摄干扰(PI)对工作记忆有决定性影响.注意加工理论认为处于工作记忆“注意焦点”的信息不受PI影响,偏向-竞争理论则提出个体对熟悉信息和情景信息代码做出权重评估,解决工作记忆PI效应.研究者从工作记忆编码和提取加工的PI效应、内容相关和情景相关的PI效应、PI消除的脑成像特征等角度进行了验证,多数结果支持偏向-竞争理论.未来研究应使用脑成像技术探讨PI效应与工作记忆子系统、子功能之间的关系等主题.     

Editorial: Sex,Shit, Money and Marxism – The Continued Demise of the ‘Third Way’

Existential phenomena such as ‘thrownness’, ‘angst’, authenticity, being-with-others, co-constitutionality, being-in-time and death are linked to aspects of the transition to retirement such as ageing, choice paralysis, identity, persona use, continuity, nostalgia, conformity, friendships and the end of existence. The attempt to integrate these two different but overlapping perspectives upon experiencing the transition to retirement is intended to promote a broader perspective for those counsellors and psychotherapists with clients who have retired or are close to doing so.