identity foreclosure

In career studies, identity foreclosure refers to an early focus on a particular career, which excludes other possibilities that might be more suitable as a person's awareness of their interests and abilities develops.

Identity foreclosure is an outcome status within the processes as a part of identity formation.

For example, in recent years many students declare a psychology major in their first year. After accumulating a substantial amount of coursework, they may earn their degree or even pursue a graduate degree before acknowledging that their interests or abilities lie elsewhere.

 See identity formation for more details.

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righting reflex in psychology

The righting reflex is a desire to fix problems and offer answers.

People are used to getting physical treatments when they see a doctor and may expect the same response from a psychologist.

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing is an effective interviewing technique developed by psychologist William R. Miller and applied to helping people who are struggling with alcohol dependence.

Researchers have found motivational interviewing to be an effective catalyst for behavioral change in other contexts than substance dependence.

The key element in motivational interviewing is an attitude of humility and interest in the person being interviewed. Three features include:

1. Asking open-ended questions

2. Engaging in reflective listening

3. Affirming the person's desire and ability to change.

Many resources refer to four core principles of motivational interviewing (MI).

1. Express empathy
2. Roll with resistance
3. Develop discrepancy
4. Support self-efficacy

In the substantial literature, motivational interviewing is often referred to as MI.

William Miller has published a book on MI, which has been revised since it first appeared in the 1990s. You can also see William Miller on YouTube. See resources below for links.

About Bill Miller

William R. Miller is Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, The University of New Mexico. He obtained his PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Oregon and was a professor of psychology at UNM between 1976 and 2006.

Resources

Motivational Interviewing on AMAZON  on  GOOGLE

William Miller on YouTube: 

Motivational Interviewing and Quantum Change

 "Motivational Interviewing: Facilitating Change Across Boundaries"

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Conversion Therapy

 Conversion therapy is a process designed to change individuals same-sex or bisexual orientation to heterosexual orientation. The process has been used by religious groups that believe same-sex orientation or same-sex sexual activity to be sinful. In the past, psychoanalytic theories linked adult homosexuality to dysfunctional family influence or childhood trauma.

As of 2021, the major professional organizations for psychiatry, psychology, counseling, and social work oppose conversion therapy. There is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the practice and there is evidence that some people are harmed by conversion therapy.

APA statement on sexual orientation and change efforts.

Patients who participated in conversion therapy have reported a variety of negative effects such as depression, suicidality, anxiety, sexual dysfunction, social dysfunction, and low self-esteem.

Other terms for conversion therapy:

change therapy, reorientation therapy, reparative therapy, sexual orientation change efforts

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy often referred to as CBT is a form of psychotherapy used by many clinicians because it is supported by scientific evidence as an effective treatment for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use problems, marital and couple problems, and even severe mental disorders.

Researchers have focused on two immediate triggers as partially responsible for some mental health problems:

1. Distorted and erroneous thinking can lead to or worsen mental health problems.

2. Habits or learned patterns of behavior can lead to or worsen mental health problems.

CBT appears to be effective when clients learn new ways to think about and cope with their problems.

Some strategies clients learn may include:

How to calm and relax when feeling distressed

How to analyze life problems to cope more effectively

How to identify and combat dysfunctional thoughts

How to identify and change dysfunctional behavior patterns

How to use role playing to prepare for difficult situations

Resources

Aaron T. Beck was the leader in the development of CBT based on his research at the University of Pennsylvania. Early on, he focused on the negative thinking linked to depression. Read more at the beckinstitute.org

CBT has been adapted by Christian clinicians. For example, see Michelle Pearce's book on CBT for Christians with depression.

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Negative Reinforcer, Reinforcement

 A negative reinforcer is a stimulus that results in an increase in behavior when it is removed following a specific behavior.

The procedure of removing the stimulus and the resulting increase in behavior is called negative reinforcement. Reinforcement means to strengthen. The connection between the behavior and the reinforcer is strengthened when the behavior regularly increases contingent on the removal of the stimulus. 

Negative Reinforcement is often confused with punishment even among graduate students. The term negative in the phrase negative reinforcement is used in a mathematical sense of subtracting a stimulus form a situation. The removal of the negative reinforcer is symbolized as S- or Sav where S = stimulus and - means subtraction. The av = aversive. 

Negative reinforcement is contrasted with positive reinforcement.

Key words: negative reinforcer, negative reinforcement, aversive stimulus, behavioral psychology

Example:

A child has a habit of screaming when they do not get their way. A parent gives in to the child to end the aversive screaming behavior. If the removal of screaming behavior is routinely followed by getting parent permission then the aversive stimulus of screaming functions as a negative reinforcer for the parent's permission giving behavior.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease is a proverb illustrating an observation that an aversive situation results in desirable behavior. An employee who routinely complains about a work situation may activate administrative behavior to rectify a problem in order to end the aversive stimulus of complaining. Of course, an administrator could choose to fire the employee so, what works in a lab won't always work in real life settings.

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Positive Reinforcer and Reinforcement

A positive reinforcer is a stimulus that follows a behavior and results in the probability that the behavior will increase in the future.

The procedure of presenting a positive reinforcer following a behavior is called positive reinforcement. The psychological concept of reinforcement means the word in general use, that is, reinforcement means to strengthen. Thus, positive reinforcement strengthens the behavior-reinforcer connection.

The concept of positive is derived from mathematics and is not necessarily linked to feelings. That is, positive means a stimulus has been added as a contingency such that when a specific behavior occurs, the organism experiences the positive reinforcer and is likely to emit the same behavior again.

In symbols, a positive reinforcer is a stimulus with a plus sign thus, S+.

Positive reinforcers may be primary or secondary. A primary reinforcer is close to a natural reinforcer such as food and sleep. A secondary reinforcer may be points or money, which may be used to obtain a primary reinforcer.

Positive reinforcement is contrasted with negative reinforcement.

Key words: Positive reinforcer, positive reinforcement, reinforcing stimulus, behavioral psychology, behavioral counseling, cognitive behavioral psychology

Example:

A child completes cleaning their room. A parent observes the activity and on completion adds a point to a weekly chart. After an agreed upon number of points, the child can exchange points for preferred activities. If cleaning behavior increases when points are earned then the points are positive reinforcers.

If the points do not work, they may be called neutral reinforcers. If the points result in a decrease in cleaning up behavior then the cleaning behavior has been punished by definition.

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Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

 

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is a psychotherapy approach developed by psychologist Albert Ellis. It focuses on helping individuals challenge their irrational beliefs and learn how to manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in a healthier, more realistic way.

 Here are some key points about REBT:

Theory and History: REBT was created in the 1950s by Albert Ellis and is considered one of the pioneering cognitive-behavioral therapies. It helps clients learn to challenge their own irrational thinking and develop the habit of thinking in beneficial and rational ways.

 

Core Principles

Choice: REBT hypothesizes that people have the capacity for rational choice in how they conduct their lives and can change themselves considerably.

Thinking, Feeling, and Behavior: REBT views thinking, feeling, and behavior as linked and influencing one another. This is a familiar triad sometimes presented as Cognition, Affect, and Behavior (CAB) or in the SCOPES model as Cognition, Emotion, and Observed behavior (CEO).

Philosophical Emphasis: REBT encourages clients to adopt the core philosophies of unconditional self-acceptance, unconditional other-acceptance, and unconditional life-acceptance.

Therapeutic Focus: Changing one's thinking is usually the primary focus of therapy, along with encouraging the adoption of rational thinking patterns.

Effectiveness: REBT has an empirical basis for its effectiveness and has evolved over the years to refine its theory and practice.

David et al. (2021) published results of a study involving 349 patients between 2007 and 2016. Data analysis revealed a medium effect size. Patient improvements after 3 and 20 sessions were significant.

Model: REBT was referred to as an ABC theory where A = Activating Event, B = Belief about the A event, and C = Consequences. The expanded model includes letters DE (ABCDE) where D = Disputation of irrational beliefs about the A event and E = an effective new philosophy. The process suggests how we disturb ourselves and how we can undisturb ourselves.

The focus on changing cognitions and behavior in REBT is similar to the general model of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) originally formulated by Beck.

Related Posts

Awfulizing

Musturbation

SCOPES Model

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

My review of A New Guide to Rational Living by Ellis & Harper

 References

David, O. A., Cîmpean, A., Costescu, C., DiGiuseppe, R., Doyle, K., Hickey, M., & David, D. (2021). Effectiveness of Outpatient Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Over One Decade. American journal of psychotherapy, 74(4), 157–164. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20200009

Ellis, A., & Ellis, D. J. (2011). Rational emotive behavior therapy. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Ellis, A., & Joffe Ellis, D. (2019). Rational emotive behavior therapy (2nd ed.). Washington, DC:  American Psychological Association.

 

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Musturbation in Psychology

 

Musturbation is a belief that a person must be perfect, according to their standards, to enjoy a successful life, approval, or comfort. The belief is one of the maladaptive cognitions that may be addressed in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBT).

The concept of musturbation is attributed to psychologist, Albert Ellis.

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Demonology, Deliverance, and the Psychology of Religion

 

Demonology. The study of devils and demons, which often includes fallen angels, witches, curses, and other practices.

Many religious traditions include supernatural beings believed to interact with human beings in harmful ways. The belief in demons varies with the religious group and with individuals but the beliefs are widely held throughout the world.

Deliverance or exorcism are ways religious people rid themselves of the influence of supernatural beings. The practice usually includes prayer along with other procedures.

Read more research and clinical practice in Chapter 14, "Devils, Demons, and Deliverance," of Counseling and Psychotherapy with Pentecostal Charismatic Christians.

Christian Counseling Pentecostal Counseling Definitions

There are many definitions of Christian counseling. In this post, I offer a basic definition and refer you to a book chapter for more details.

I begin with a basic definition of counseling then add variations on a theme. I hope this helps as a place to start.

Counseling is a collaborative process involving at least one counselor and one client who work together on a plan to reach a client’s goals within the context of the client’s worldview and culture.

Christian counseling is a collaborative process involving at least one counselor and one client who include God’s presence through prayer and scripture as they work together on a plan to reach a client’s goals within the context of the client’s Christian worldview and culture.

Pentecostal or Charismatic Christian counseling is a collaborative process involving at least one counselor and one client who depend on the Holy Spirit to guide them through prayer, scripture, spiritual gifts, and spiritual experiences as they work together on a plan to reach a client’s goals within the context of the client’s Pentecostal worldview and Pentecostal culture.

These are taken from Sutton (2020, pp 179-180).

Reference

Sutton, G. W. (2020). Counseling and psychotherapy with Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians: Culture & Research | Assessment & Practice. Springfield, MO: Sunflower.  ISBN-13 : 979-8681036524 AMAZON

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Reframing in psychology

Reframing refers to the act of changing one's perspective on an interpretation of an event.

In reframing, the facts of an event do not change, but the way people understand the event changes. As in framing pictures and photos, some frames enhance the art object and other frames lessen the appeal. We may also think about window frames as affording different perspectives on the world.

Our life experiences and the traditions within our culture guide us in interpreting life events. Sometimes our perspectives do not make sense or they leave us feeling anxious or depressed. Reframing events can sometimes offer a better way to cope with difficult situations. Reframing can promote optimism or pessimism. Thus we can speak of positive frames and negative frames.

Reframing may be illustrated by the common question, "Is the glass half empty or half full?"

In psychotherapy, psychologists sometimes help patients think of other ways that they can reframe distressing life events as an aide in alleviating anxiety or depression.

Examples of reframing

A problem becomes a challenge.
A struggle becomes an opportunity for personal growth.
A mistake becomes a learning experience.
A fall becomes an opportunity to get up and try again.
A rejected manuscript becomes an opportunity to revise and submit somewhere else.

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