Vol. 20, Issue 1 (2005): Winter et al.

Construing the Construction Processes of Serial Killers and Other Violent Offenders: 1. The Analysis of Narratives

Authors: David Winter ^a; Guillem Feixas ^b; Rita Dalton ^c; Livia Jarque-Llamazares ^b; Esteban Laso ^b; Clare Mallindine ^d; Sarah Patient ^c

Affiliations:	a Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust, University of Hertfordshire and Barnet.
	b University of Barcelona.
	c Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust.
	d West London Mental Health Trust.

DOI: 10.1080/10720530600992717

Publication Frequency: 4 issues per year

Published in: Journal of Constructivist Psychology, Volume 20, Issue 1 January 2007 , pages 1 - 22

Abstract

This article presents analyses of two narratives: a book written by a serial killer, Ian Brady, and an autobiographical account written by a serially violent offender. In both cases, the narrative was subjected to a content analysis and converted to a textual grid. It is argued that narratives provide not only a means of better understanding the violent offender's view of the world and the choices he or she has made but also a potentially useful therapeutic option with such individuals.

Vol. 20, Issue 1 (2007): Dimaggio et al.

Dialogical Relationship Patterns in Narcissistic Personalities: Session Analysis and Treatment Implications

Authors: Giancarlo Dimaggio ^a; Donatella Fiore ^a; Giampaolo Salvatore ^a; Antonino Carcione ^a

Affiliation:

a Terzo Centro di Psicoterapia Cognitiva, Training sshool in Psychotherapy, Associazione di Psicologia Cognitiva (APC). Rome. Italy

DOI: 10.1080/10720530600992741

Publication Frequency: 4 issues per year

Published in: Journal of Constructivist Psychology, Volume 20, Issue 1 January 2007 , pages 23 - 51

Subjects: Psychotherapy; Social Psychology;

Formats available: HTML (English) : PDF (English)

Abstract

Patients with narcissistic features are difficult to treat in psychotherapy, in particular because of problems in building sound therapeutic relationships with them. Therapists can get easily involved in dysfunctional relationship patterns that have a negative impact on the therapeutic alliance. Tracing the typical patterns that can recur in persons with narcissistic features should, therefore, prove useful in helping therapists to recognize their involvement in them at an early treatment stage and to deal with them effectively. A dialogical theory of the self offers a promising perspective from which to recognize and describe these patterns. From this vantage point, we discuss the treatment of a client diagnosed as having a narcissistic personality. What occurred during this therapy lends support to the idea that there are typical dialogical relationship patterns in patients with narcissistic features and that knowing them might help therapists to make treatment effective, avoid early dropouts, and successfully manage the therapeutic relationship. In addition, we put forward the hypothesis that some of the therapeutic techniques described here also can be applied to other patients displaying similar narcissistic features.

Vol. 20, Issue 1 (2007): Spooner & Lyddon

Sandtray Therapy for Inpatient Sexual Addiction Treatment: An Application of Constructivist Change Principles

Authors: Lauren C. Spooner ^a; William J. Lyddon ^a

Affiliation:

a The University of Southern Mississippi. Mississippi. USA

DOI: 10.1080/10720530600992782

Publication Frequency: 4 issues per year

Published in: Journal of Constructivist Psychology, Volume 20, Issue 1 January 2007 , pages 53 - 85

Subjects: Psychotherapy; Social Psychology;

Formats available: HTML (English) : PDF (English)

Abstract

A model of sandtray therapy, specifically designed as an adjunct intervention for a trauma-based inpatient treatment program for sexual addiction, is described using clinical illustrations. Constructivist theoretical assumptions provide the rationale for both the model and the principles of change. The process of meaning-making and reconstructing one's inner world and sense of self are foundational in trauma resolution and may be facilitated through the use of sandtray intervention.

Vol. 20, Issue 1 (2007): Barney

Capitalizing on the Self-Referencing Effect in General Psychology: A Preliminary Study

Author: Steve T. Barney ^a

Affiliation:

a Southern Utah University. Cedar City, Utah. USA

DOI: 10.1080/10720530600992915

Publication Frequency: 4 issues per year

Published in: Journal of Constructivist Psychology, Volume 20, Issue 1 January 2007 , pages 87 - 97

Abstract

After reviewing the literature on the effect of personal relevance (self-schema, self-referencing effect, autobiographical significance, etc.), I implemented a constructivist narrative assignment for general psychology students. I hoped the assignment would enhance learning of and memory for psychological principles. Students wrote personal relevance papers in which they described psychological principles in their own words and provided examples of how the principles they chose were relevant in their own lives. Students assigned to write the papers produced higher exam scores. Moreover, student feedback revealed other benefits, including improved writing quality, higher grades, and increased motivation to learn.