Integrates the object relations concept of projective identification and the systemic concept of marital dances to develop a more powerful model for working with more difficult and distressed couples. Suggests how object relations techniques can be used to interrupt projective identifications and resolve conflict on intrapsychic level so the…

This study examined the effects of one unfamiliar adult's warm, responsive interactions or cold, aloof, unresponsive interactions on child emotion and subsequent social initiatives to a second adult. Participants were 32 4 1/2- to 5 1/2-year-old preschool children. Nurturing, responsive caregiving and non-nurturing, unresponsive caregiving were…

Although the Tension Reduction Hypothesis (TRH) of alcoholism has been the most popular explanation for alcohol abuse to date, the research addressing this model has provided tenuous support at best. In light of this contradictory support, a coping model of alcohol consumption is proposed. This model is based on the low self-image of…

Empirical knowledge of coping usage and coping effectiveness has lagged behind popular interest. To examine the effectiveness of specific coping efforts in a single role area--parenting--panel data from a large metropolitan population were examined. The same coping efforts were assessed using two criteria of effectiveness: the extent to which they…

The importance of understanding the manner in which the desire to buy arises in buyers has been neglected in the study of consumer psychology. This report identifies those few research projects which have studied the origins of consumer motivation and describes a phenomenologically-guided investigation which studied individuals' desires to…

Describes a study based on the hypothesis that there were consistencies in child-rearing practices such that a regular progression would exist in children's performance of coercive responses. Results suggest that schedules of parental punishment covary with performance rates for children's coercive behaviors. (Author/EJT)

Examines the character traits of the hysterical personality and raises the question: Are these traits distinguishable from so-called normal "feminine" traits, and if not, how can this be understood? Conclusion is that there is not a clear distinction between "hysterical" traits and those traits often considered "feminine." (Author)

Observes the failure of law schools to teach students how to cope with the professional stress induced by complicated conflicts of interest. Describes resulting insensitivity and unawareness which can lead to unprofessional and unethical behavior. Suggests how schools and graduates can help alleviate the syndrome. (JT)

Agoraphobia is the most pervasive and serious phobic response seen by clinicians, accounting for approximately 50 to 60% of all phobic problems. The symptoms of agoraphobia, a condition in which an individual fears entering public areas, include fears of leaving home, fainting, entering open and closed spaces, shopping, entering social situations,…

An exploratory study concerned with the measurement of perseveration, or persistence, as a personality variable was based on the work of G.V. Hamilton, an early investigator in the field. Persistently maladaptive behavior was hypothesized to be a chief characteristic of neurosis. An experimental problem-solving situation was designed to…

Personal dispositional variables conflicting with social pressure and the resulting behavior, which follows a cusp catastrophe, were investigated. Female undergraduates (N=200) completed a set of attitude questionnaires using a Crutchfield console. Results indicate that: (1) when social pressure is low, behavior is a smooth, monotonic function of…

Behavioral and perceptual differences among maritally distressed and nondistressed husbands and wives were investigated. Distressed couples beginning marital therapy and nondistressed couples solicited through community newspapers comprised the criterion groups which were matched for major demographic variables. Couples first enacted and then…

"Attitude" is an oreintation organized through experiences which respond consistently to an object, person, or situation. Attitude Therapy is aimed at modifying a patient's patterns of behavior which is viewed as a group of symptoms, rather than one specific symptom. Five attitude prescriptions employed in Attitude Therapy are: (1) kind firmness;…

This paper discusses two studies undertaken to investigate the effects of population concentrating on the behavior of human subjects. Particular attention was paid to the space and interpersonal contact dimensions, over time, within a prison setting. Mood state self-reports and the rate of psychosomatic illness complaints were used to determine if…

Ninety-six female introductory psychology students differing in terms of the dimensions of neuroticism-stability and introversion-extraversion performed two sets of thirty trials each on a choice reaction time task. On one of the sets of trials the Ss were observed by two female observers and on the other set of trials the observers were not…