Thesis--Wisconsin. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-47).

Thesis, PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Commonwealth University, 2007. / Prepared for: Dept. of Psychology. Bibliography: leaves 158-172. Also available online.

Diss. Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2008.

This research project has its origin and motivation in work done by Lysaker, Johannesen and Lysaker (2005), which explored the experience of being as a person with schizophrenia in relation to other individuals. The researchers examined the nature of the schizophrenic experience from within the framework of the dialogical model of self, and presented schizophrenic intersubjectivity as a potentially horrifying and disintegrating experience. Lysaker et al (2005) discuss the notion that the individual self unfolds as a composite structure of multiple selves, existing in dialogical interaction with one another. Their research aimed to show that the individual with schizophrenia experiences difficulty tolerating this dialogue on an intrapsychic level. Because interpersonal exchange requires that individuals adopt a variety of self-other modes of relatedness, suggest Lysaker et al, interpersonal engagement for the person with schizophrenia is disclosed as profoundly threatening (ibid.) Moving from the above-mentioned research, this project aims through a hermeneutic phenomenological process to clarify and narrate the subtleties of the intersubjective experience, as that experience is disclosed in the lived world of a person with schizophrenia. How does such an individual experience self in relation to other? How does such an individual negotiate their sense of self in terms of their dialogicality? The phenomenological hermeneutic method, as shaped by such theorists as Gadamer (1976), Heidegger (1962) and Buber (1970), will emerge as the interpretive platform upon which these questions are approached.

From introduction: The aim of this thesis is to explore the "queer relationship'" existing between mysticism and madness as it emerges from psychological writings and to examine and re-evaluate the life of Joan of Arc in terms of the conceptual framework that emerges.

Hermans’ (2002) Dialogical model of Self advocates for a construction of Self that is fluid, diverse and dialogically constructed. He argues that development of ongoing dialogues from within and without the Self constitute the Self. These parts of Self that participate in this internal dialogue are referred to by Hermans (2002) as I-positions. Healthy, dynamic internal dialogue between I-positions is argued to contribute to maintaining a unified sense of Self. The Self is also argued to be socially constructed, in so far as Others outside the Self participate in these internal dialogues and are able to influence and occupy I-positions. Research has shown that people with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia experience a unique form of Self disruption. It has been postulated that this disruption is due to disruptions in this internal dialogue. To date, seminal research has primarily focussed on the internal mechanisms and phenomenological accounts of these disruptions. However, little research has focused on the role that Others outside the Self play in these disruptions. Since the Self is also constructed as a social entity, the aim of this research is to explore in what ways the Other contributes and/or minimises this disruption in people with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia. In order to achieve this, I made use of archival data which was made up of the transcripts from semi-structured interviews previously conducted with people with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia as part of a Self and Schizophrenia study. The interviews were analysed using deductive thematic analysis, and utilised Herman’s theory of the Dialogical Self as the theoretical lens for this study. The emergent themes were organised according to those that were present before a diagnosis of Schizophrenia was given and those themes that were present post-diagnosis. The themes reflected that the Other plays a significant role in the both the maintenance of healthy dialogue post diagnosis and well as in the disruption of dialogue. This disruption was primarily observed throughthecompromising of previous I-positions and in the development of new performative and deficit I-positions that contributed to the disruption in internal dialogue.

No description available.

The present investigation was an attempt to explore the reproduction by schizophrenics of emotionally- toned and neutral material under conditions of immediate and delayed recall. The relationship of the reproductions to the degree of illness of the patient was also studied. For these purposes, two structurally equivalent meaningful prose paragraphs, one neutral in tone and the other strongly aggressive in tone, were presented individually to eighteen male patients diagnosed as schizophrenic who had been rank ordered in terms of degree of illness. Preceding the main investigation a pilot study was conducted with forty-five schizophrenics and eight normals, using the emotionally-toned stimulus material. Thirteen of the schizophrenics gave an unaided delayed recall. The purpose of the pilot study was to test the potential of the material to elicit a wide and symmetrical distribution of scores. It was also designed to assess differences between the initial and delayed recall of the schizophrenic subjects. The results showed statistically significant differences between the schizophrenics and the normals on all the quantitative measures with the exception of the importations. There were no differences between the initial and delayed recall. The stimulus material was effective in eliciting symmetrical distributions. In the initial learning session of the present investigation, the two types of material were presented in a counterbalanced order from subject to subject. The procedure of one-trial learning and immediate recall was followed. One week later an unaided recall of the two different stimulus materials was obtained. The results of the quantitative analysis showed only minor differences between the reproductions of the two types of material. The qualitative analysis showed evidence of differential treatment of the two materials by the subjects. It also showed differences in learning efficiency between the reproductions of the two materials, in favour of the emotionally-toned material. The learning scores for the initial recall session were significantly greater than for the delayed recall session, particularly for the emotionally-toned material. The only consistent correlation with degree of illness was in the delayed recall of the emotional material. It may be concluded that the schizophrenic reproductions in this study did not support the theory hypothesizing inferior recall of emotionally-toned material as opposed to neutral material. If anything, these subjects gave indications of following the normal pattern in this regard. Other results of the respective analyses were inconclusive, but invite further investigation. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

Schizophrenia, the most common of the psychoses, is a challenging subject for the beginning social worker in a psychiatric setting. The purpose of this study, after reviewing the nature and cause of schizophrenia and indicating how it is currently treated in mental hospitals and clinics, is to assess (a) whether casework is an appropriate treatment method for this disorder; and (b) if so, what modification of casework is necessary to meet the schizophrenic person's needs. Schizophrenia is no longer regarded as a purely psychiatric concern. Current treatment aims at reduction of symptoms and improvement in social adjustment of the schizophrenic patient, not "cure" of the underlying pathology. According to modern psychiatry, the central problem in schizophrenia is the social malfunctioning of the patient, and social workers in the community as well as in clinical settings are being called upon with increasing frequency to aid in the treatment of this disorder. As foundation for this study, the orthopsychiatric literature available over the past decade on the psychopathology and treatment of the schizophrenic has been critically reviewed. From this material and from the personal experience of the writer in casework service to hospitalized schizophrenic patients, current concepts on the nature and cause of schizophrenia are defined, and present treatment measures evaluated. Casework as a method for treating schizophrenia is analyzed, and the phases of study, social diagnosis, planning and implementing treatment is applied to the schizophrenic patient's central problems, defense mechanisms, and impaired ego-functioning. "Ego breakdown" in schizophrenia is assessed, and contrasted with the ego-functioning of the normal, neurotic and sociopathic personality types. The conclusions of this study can only be applicable to schizophrenia in general, not to specific cases. Schizophrenia is psychogenic in origin, originating in early childhood when extreme anxiety and insecurity in the child are caused by faulty relationships with the parents, and in particular with the mother. The treatment of choice for schizophrenia is psychotherapy, with adjunctive physical therapies used to reduce symptoms and increase accessibility to personal contact. The supportive treatment method of casework and most of its techniques are eminently suited to treating the schizophrenic patient: the modifying treatment method, clarification, catharsis and interpretation of underlying conflicts, are not. The casework approach to the schizophrenic differs decidedly from that used with clients possessing stronger egos, who can tolerate the anxiety aroused by self-examination. The goals of casework with the schizophrenic patient are support of the constructive parts of the patient's personality, strengthening of his ego-functioning, and maintenance of his psychotic defenses until more constructive defenses are rebuilt. The schizophrenic patient's central problems are his withdrawal from reality due to fear, and his basic mistrust of people. A reality-oriented approach, directed to helping the patient cope more effectively with everyday problems, is used to overcome the schizophrenic patient's distrust and to renew his contact with the real world. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate