Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1960. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis--Wisconsin. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-69).

M.A. (Psychology) / Group therapy is one of the range of applications of psychotherapies generally accepted in the practice of psychology today. The objective of this literature survey is to give a general overview of the theory and practice of group therapy. An overview of the development of the therapeutic use of groups, indicates that the original didactic, individually-orientated approach to groups, was influenced by a variety of theoretical viewpoints. The period following the Second World War was characterised by difficulty and controversy regarding the theoretical approach to groups, and it was only from the nineteen sixties onward that the social nature of human problems was acknowledged. Investigation into the development of group therapy revealed that a great deal of attention was given to the development of different theoretical models. Within the scope of this paper only the most important developmental aspects are covered, with specific emphasis on the theory of Yalom (1985). In the literature, Yalom is generally regarded as an important contributor to the development of group therapy, as his research, theory and practice accomplished an integration of the various group therapies. Yalom, in his approach, separates the group into front and core aspects. The front consists of the form, language and techniques of each of the schools of therapy, while the core described that which is intrinsic to the therapeutic process, namely the mechanisms of change. Yalom also emphasises the therapeutic factors necessary for effective group therapy, irrespective of the underlying theory or technique. This approach lends itself to be regarded as an integration theory.

The mid-1900's saw a shift in thinking within the social sciences away from the then dominant Newtonian worldview of linear causality, towards thinking in terms of circular causality. With the development of the new systemic epistemology, and the subsequent shift towards second-order cybernetics and evolutionary theory, new concepts were created to elucidate the processes whereby man constructs reality. This study considers the relevance of second-order cybernetics and the evolutionary theory as descriptive metaphors for both the pragmatics and aesthetics of group psychotherapy. A recursive relationship between theory, description and intervention is conceptualized, and it is concluded that the theoretical constructs in question serve as complementary sides of a systemic coin in the description of group therapy processes and the application thereof to the group therapy context. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

The present study examined the effectiveness of a short-term, intensive, group process-retreat treatment model for bulimia. The multi-component, two-day treatment and follow-up booster session focused primarily on the interpersonal deficits associated with the disorder. A sample of 24 subjects who met the DSM III criteria for bulimia and who binged/purged at least one time per week participated in the study. Compared to a control group (N = 12), the women who received the group treatment (N = 12) evidenced significant improvements in self-esteem and severity of binge eating. The frequency of binge/purge episodes and dysfunctional eating attitudes were also significantly reduced. The results of this study suggest that the intensive group-process retreat model is an effective adjunct in the treatment of bulimia.

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The need for systematic research of patient selection variables and group composition dimensions that are related to favorable group therapy process and outcome has been emphasized repeatedly by clinicians and researchers alike. The present study attempted to address this issue by investigating the efficacy of pretraining work behavior as a selection and a composition variable in group psychotherapy. / The work behavior of 66 outpatients in nine cognitive-experiential pretraining groups was measured. Six of the pretraining groups were recomposed into either high or low work therapy groups on the basis of the pretraining scores. The other three groups entered therapy intact. The therapy groups met once weekly for 90-minute sessions and were time-limited for an expected duration of two years. The orientation was psychodynamic. Audiotapes of group sessions from the first five months of therapy were process-analyzed by means of the Therapeutic Work Rating System to assess levels of work in therapy. A comprehensive battery of outcome measures was administered before therapy and six months after therapy began. Hypotheses were formulated concerning: (1) the effects of composition on process and outcome; (2) the relationship of work behavior to outcome; and (3) the rates of premature termination. / The results indicated that pretraining work behavior had merit as a composition variable and showed promise as a selection variable. Group composition was shown to have a strong effect on therapy process, but less effect on outcome. Patients in the high work therapy groups produced significantly more work and worked at significantly higher levels than patients in either the low work or intact therapy groups. In terms of outcome, few significant group condition differences were found. When group conditions were collapsed, a general trend of improvement was found for 10 out of 12 outcome variables. Pretraining work scores correlated modestly with improvement on four outcome variables. Dropout rates were higher than predicted and appeared to be affected by recomposition. The methodological limitations and the clinical implications of the study were discussed in detail. Suggestions for future research were provided.