Values in psychotherapy

There is a tension between those who hold that psychotherapy is a scientific discipline and therefore "value-free," and those who believe that values are inherent in the nature of psychotherapy. Psychoanalysis has moved from a science-based ideology, through the ethical concerns of Melanie Klein, to a recognition of the "aesthetic" dimension--the creation of suitable forms that can contain psychological distress. From this latter perspective, the antagonism between religion and psychotherapy, initiated by Freud, becomes less acute. Action-based ethical systems, which ignore the inner world, are critically scrutinized. The evidence suggesting there is a relationship between good outcome in psychotherapy and shared values between therapist and client is reviewed. It is posited that through examination of the "ethical countertransference," therapists should become aware of their own value systems and how they influence practice.     

Values in hypnotherapy.

Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness characterized by a regression in the service of the ego along with increased access to the unconscious. This makes it possible to achieve lasting therapeutic results faster in hypnosis than in the waking state. Hypnosis is also a state of decreased vigilance, a vulnerability that involves dangers if a patient is in the hands of a poorly trained, incompetent, or unscrupulous therapist. In general, the same human and moral values that guide responsible therapists with patients in the ordinary waking state must guide them with patients in hypnosis, only more so. Contemporary permissive hypnotherapists do not superimpose their own wills or personalities onto patients but provide support, help patients face the frightening parts of the unconscious, and thus aid them in coping with conflicts and gaining full autonomy and freedom from fear. (11 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Values and Dilemma.

Replies to comments by Adelson and by Callahan (American Psychologist, 1960, 15, 269-270) on "Value-Orientations--An Ethical Dilemma" (see record 1961-00097-001). Adelson and Callahan propose contradictory solutions to the ethical dilemma. The former feels that the ethical dilemma is solved by empathizing and becoming more emotional, while the latter seems to believe that the solution is to become more rational. The original article was written to describe certain basic values. The value-orientations described need not characterize everyone perfectly. Rather, they are guidelines, which like degrees of latitude, are useful in comparing locations. The value-orientations the author describes are criteria which provide yardsticks for measuring human behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Question of Values.

Comments on K. E. Clark's America's Psychologists (see record 200415427-000) and the recent statement by Division 12 of the new requirement for fellowship status of "a significant contribution." The authors were impressed with the fact that either intentionally or unintentionally values are playing an increasingly significant role in determining the criteria which will be selected as appropriate for assessing the status of professional psychologists. It is interesting to note in this connection that in Clark's book much emphasis is given to research publication as a means of differentiating "significant contributors" from their ostensibly less productive colleagues. The point the present authors are trying to make is that a value system to a large extent determines what functions or productions are to be considered worthy and thus tends to sustain them. It should be remembered that Clark's book addresses itself, not only to research psychologists, but to the entire profession as well as to any other interested intelligent reader. Surely some consideration could have been given to other professional endeavors which are of significance to a large number of psychologists. Even Division 12 seems to be suffering from this same (unrecognized?) conflict. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Values destroyed by death.

It was hypothesized that people who valued themselves highly (high self-esteem) should fear death more than those who do not, and what these people should fear most about death is the cessation of those activities in which they are greatly involved. These attitudes towards death should vary with such demographic variables as age, sex, social class, religion, and marital status. The data support the hypotheses. From Psyc Abstracts 36:04:4HJ05D. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

关于条件极值的两点思考

认为现行高等数学教材关于多元函数条件极值的处理存在值得商榷之处.实例分析多元函数条件极值的拉格朗日乘数法和代人法.指出它们都必须受条件函数梯度非零的限制.利用已知目标函数和条件函数的一阶、二阶偏导数可以判定拉格朗日乘数法所得出的可能极值点处是取极大值还是极小值.由此可得判定条件极值的一个充分条件.     

科技档案的价值与作用

科技档案可以为企业的生产发展和技术创新提供信息服务 ,是一种潜在的生产力。做好科技档案的收集、管理、开发利用工作 ,将会给企业带来巨大的经济效益。     

Values and Science: Reply.

Responds to Kendler (2004), Johnson (2004), and Zuriff (2004) who directed a number of criticisms against the authors' original article (see record 2003-03405-003) examining the psychological data and policy debates surrounding affirmative action. Kendler and Zuriff both chided the authors for interjecting values into the realm of science. The authors, however, state that both seriously misread the argument, imagining that they talked about "morality" when they did not. The authors claim to hold the same view as Kendler and Zuriff about the dichotomy between data and values and revisit portions of their argument further questioned. To Johnson, they state that the issues are not as clear cut as he has suggested. The authors do, however, reevaluate their original article in light of his criticisms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Foreword: Values in psychotherapy.

Contends that the glory of psychotherapists' "tree of psychology" is that its roots are absolutely philosophical and, therefore, limitless in scope and devoid of absolute proofs. The trunk of this tree is a solid and substantial store of scientific and empirical data. The branches bear a multitude of flowers, many of which are not quite substantial; not made to endure the critical climate of a questioning world. Ultimately, however, these flowers contain the germinating factor, that which allows human knowledge the possibility of continued growth and rejuvenation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Values as determinants of word-recognition thresholds.

"Some effects of word value and emotional context upon word-recognition thresholds have been investigated using high- and low-prejudice Ss to define the meaning of the context values. In general, it was found that (a) both positive and negative values lowered word-recognition thresholds in comparison with neutral value, and (b) emotionally loaded contexts have the effect of raising the thresholds of both positively and negatively valued words while lowering that of neutral words." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

当代满族小说的普世价值关怀

民族的文学艺术,既贵于个性张扬,又离不开普世价值的恪守。满族作家在充满情感地状写本民族题材的同时,也通过作品极大地弘扬着时代的普世价值,并取得了世间公认的成就。该民族的作家文学长期养成了高度包容的性格。不愿收缩自己一向拥有的外向型视野。行进在世纪旅途的满族作家,因应于这样一个前所未觏的铿锵时代,精神意识领受着人类优秀思想的洗礼,更乐于以开放的文化胸怀、进取的人生眼光,全方位地观察发现生活．将融会着现代理念的艺术思考．注入笔端。     

Values, politics, and psychology.

Comments on H. H. Kendler's positivist critique regarding the role of value in the world of psychology (see record 1999-11644-004). Smith objects to Kendler's interpretation of Smith's justification for a socially activist psychology. He argues that psychologists, as scientists and professionals, have just as much justification as anybody else, and more than many, to enter into democratic controversy about value choices. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Presidential Preference and Traditional Family Values.

Studied whether individuals who preferred different men as President of the United States in 1964 would score differentially on the Traditional Family Ideology (TFI) Scale. It was hypothesized that those preferring Wallace would score highest, those preferring Goldwater next highest, and those preferring Johnson lowest. Subjects were 401 voting age college students. Results show the hypothesis was confirmed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Values and the use of tests.

Attention is called to the cost of testing and the importance of the values placed on various kinds of test "hits" and "misses" in deciding whether or not to use a test for a particular purpose. Formulas that take these factors into account without requiring scaling of the values of the outcomes of various actions are presented for several situations in which the clinician may wish to decide whether or not to use a test. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)