Perception of Self in Emotional Disorder and Psychotherapy

ISBN-13: 9781461290049 / Angielski / Miękka / 2011 / 354 str.

Lorne M. Hartman; Kirk R. Blankstein

Opis

One's view of self has pervasive and significant effects socially, psychologi cally, and even biologically. Regardless of theoretical differences, most psycho therapists agree that perception of self in one way or another profoundly impacts emotional satisfaction, behavioral adaptation, and rational thinking. Self-accep tance has played a major role in almost every major theory of personality. Despite its recognized importance over the years, only recently has the percep tion of self received vigorous research attention as a central variable in the development and maintenance of psychological dysfunction and as a mediating mechanism in effecting psychological change. Several lines of evidence point to the importance of self-perception in emotional disorder and psychotherapy. Feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness are frequently cited complaints among persons seeking psychological help. Peo ple with low self-esteem see themselves as helpless and inferior. They feel incapable of improving their situation. They fail to evidence the requisite inner resources or coping abilities for tolerating the stress of their life situation. The ability to be involved in healthy intimate relationships, to engage in successful career performance, to experience satisfactory sexual functioning, or to maintain effective mood management are all subject to disruption as a result of inconsis tent and impaired self-appraisal."

Spis treści

I. Theoretical Perspectives.- 1 Self and the Control of Behavior.- Principles of Self-Regulation.- Theoretical Elaborations.- Conceptualizing Problems in Self-Management.- New Directions: Optimism and Effective Self-Management.- Concluding Comments.- References.- 2 Perceiving the Self as an Effective Agent.- Beliefs about Control and Negative Affective States.- Conclusion.- References.- 3 A Neuropsychodynamic Perspective on the Self: Brain, Thought, and Emotion.- Brain, Mind, and Mood.- The Neuropsychological Organization of Mood.- Mood, Inhibition, Evolution.- The Role of Dynamics.- Emotion Subcomponents, Interactions, Dissociations.- Comment.- References.- 4 Looking for Introspection; Self-Consciousness, Self-Awareness, and Emotionality: Preliminary Empirical Findings.- Self-Consciousness and Self-Awareness.- Theoretical Considerations toward a Preliminary Investigation.- Experimental Design.- Results and Discussion.- General Discussion.- References.- II. Clinical Applications.- 5 Shyness and Self-Concept.- Shyness as a Personality Trait.- Shyness as a Dimension of Self-Esteem.- Attributions and Memories.- Anxious Self-Preoccupation.- Self-Presentation.- Self-Perceptions and Observer Ratings.- Conclusion.- References.- 6 Self-Concept Deficiencies in Eating Disorders.- Models of Self-Concept Disturbance in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia.- Behavioral and Cognitive Theories.- Self-Awareness Deficits.- Self-Concept and Obesity.- Summary.- References.- 7 The Role of Self in Alcohol Use.- Effects of Alcohol on Views of Self.- Self as a Motivation to Drink.- Alcohol and Self-Regulation.- Summary and Conclusion.- References.- 8 The Self-Schema in Depression.- The Nature and Assessment of Depression.- The Cognitive Model of Depression.- References.- 9 Anxiety, Worry, and the Self.- Worry: The Cognitive Aspect of Anxiety.- Clinical Hypotheses Concerning Worry.- The Penn State Worry Project.- Origins and Maintenance of Anxiety from a Learning Perspective.- Cognitive Extensions of Learning Principles.- A Cognitive Processing Model of Worry.- A Self Theory of Worry and Anxiety.- Conclusion.- References.- III Treatment Implications.- 10 Social Anxiety, Problem Drinking, and Self-Awareness.- Social Anxiety.- Models of Social Anxiety.- Social Anxiety and Alcoholism.- An Integrated Analysis.- Summary.- References.- 11 Self-Construct Perspectives in Psychotherapy.- Fixed-Role Therapy.- Clinical Experiments.- Other Relevant Findings.- Summary.- References.- 12 The Self as Mediator of Cognitive Change in Psychotherapy.- A Constructivist Framework.- The Development of Self-Knowledge.- The Organization of Self-Knowledge.- The Self as the Integrator of Life-Span Oscillations.- A Clinical Guideline for Constructivist-Cognitive Therapy.- References.