Egocentrism and classroom adjustment

This study examined the relationship between persistent egocentrism and adjustment status in normal school children. Fifty-three fourth-graders (33 males, 20 females) were administered measures of egocentrism and peer sociometric status, and indices of classroom adjustment were obtained from teachers. Degree of egocentrism was shown to correlate with classroom adjustment for both boys and girls and with peer group status for boys. The pattern of correlations suggested that the negative consequences of persistent egocentrism were different for the two sexes, with high egocentrism associated with shy, anxious behavior for girls and acting-out and learning difficulties for boys.The authors wish to thank Michael Chandler for his invaluable assistance. Gratitude is also expressed to Jeffrey Frost, Rana Gordan, Joyce Kramer, Peter Moshbach, Katie Pelz, Robert Rosen, Jane Scheibel, and Harley Sobin for their help in the collection of the data, and to the administration, staff, and pupils of the Paddy Hill Elementary School, Greece, New York.     

Counseling and the development of responsibility

Growth in counseling means growth in responsibility. Examination of this clinical observation reveals a threefold development. Specifically, the individual becomes more responsible by gaining an increased ability to acknowledge his faults, to exercise his freedom of choice, and to respond to his situation in a fitting way. Each development is an important part of being responsible, but the individual moves toward genuine fulfillment only when he is able to be responsible in the last sense.Dr. Aden is Professor of Pastoral Care at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Road, Philadelphia, PA 19119.     

What does the lord require of us?

Contextual therapy is a heuristic approach to intergenerational family dynamics. This article sets forth the main tenets of that approach and explores the contribution that it makes to the pastoral care and counseling of families. The concept of relational justice, which is a focal point in contextual therapy, is brought into dialogue with the biblical concept of righteousness and the theological concept of justification by faith.     

Some interpersonal correlates of cognitive impulsivity in fourth-graders

Two dimensions of cognitive impulsivity, accuracy and latency, were assessed in fourth graders by the Matching Familiar Figures Test (MFF) and were related to teacher's ratings of adjustment and peers' sociometric preferences. MFF accuracy entered into a greater number of significant relationships than did MFF latency. The importance of cognitive impulsivity with regard to interpersonal functioning was found to vary with the situations sampled and the sexes of the participants. Implications for adjustment and remediation are discussed.     

Predicting Quality of Life in Caregivers of Children with Cancer Within One Year Post-Diagnosis

Journal of Child and Family Studies - Pediatric cancer diagnosis and treatment can impact the psychological adjustment and quality of life (QOL) of caregivers. We examined: (a) the relationship...     

Faith and the developmental cycle

According to Paul Tillich, faith as a human response is an act of the total personality in which all the elements of man's personal life participate. This paper explores one aspect of this assertion that has been neglected by both psychologists and theologians-the heuristic idea that faith is a developmental phenomenon. Specifically, the paper contends that the dominant form of an individual's faith at any one time is determined in part by the particular developmental stage in which that individual is immersed. This contention is developed using the epigenetic approach of Erik Erikson. Eight developmental forms of faith are explored: among them, faith as trust, faith as obedience, and faith as self-surrender.