Reminiscence Group for Chinese Older People-A Cultural Consideration

Abstract

Literature abounds with discussions on the therapeutic effects of reminiscence groups for older people. To ensure their effectiveness in Chinese societies, helping professionals should take into account the specific cultural values and experiences of older Chinese people. This paper draws on the experiences of social work students in Hong Kong and offers suggestions in five areas in the design and implementation of a reminiscence group in order to make the therapy culturally sensitive: membership, group content, the interaction process, identifying and appreciating the positives and the leadership style of the helping professionals.     

Rational-experiential thinking style and rational intergroup cooperation: the moderating role of intergroup conflict / Estilos de pensamiento racional-experiencial y la cooperación intergrupal racional: el rol modulador del conflicto intergrupal

Cooperative relationships between groups are difficult because of the high human capability to differentiate between in-group vs. out-group members. This obstacle exists even when the groups can obtain benefits for themselves from cooperation with other groups (rational cooperation). Based on an interactionist approach, the authors propose that personal (individual differences) and situational (conflicts) factors contribute to rational intergroup cooperation. The authors conducted a preliminary correlational study (Study 1) and an experimental investigation (Study 2). In Study 1, the authors examined, with 105 participants, the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Rational–Experiential Inventory (REI), measuring individual differences in information processing. In Study 2, the authors conducted an experimental investigation with 141 participants, testing the role of individual differences and conflict in intergroup rational cooperation. Findings of Study 1 showed that the scale has adequate psychometric properties. Results of Study 2 confirmed that the existence of both manipulated and perceived intergroup conflict reduces the magnitudes of the relationships between rational ability and rational cooperation. In addition, perceived intergroup conflict increased the magnitude of the links from experiential ability and experimental engagement to rational cooperation. Both individual differences and previous conflict have a role in predicting rational intergroup cooperation. According to the interactionist approach, personal and situational factors should be considered in the understanding of intergroup relationships.     

Scandalous Care: Interpreting Public Enquiry Reports of Scandals in Residential Care

ABSTRACT

This article reviews an earlier study written for the Wagner Committee (1988) on scandals in residential care. That review was based on a study of ten enquiry reports, only two of which were about homes for older people. The main events that were described are grouped as: institutionalised practices, indifference and neglect, physical cruelty, humiliation, too authoritarian a life-style, a dull and depressing life-style, an overcrowded and run down environment, disharmony amongst the staff team, and staff misappropriating goods or money. Now, more weight should be given to: residents' abuse of residents and of staff, an improper influence on the life-style of others, and sexual abuse. Explanations proposed are: structural, environmental, and individual and worker style. Abuse is considered in the context of the nature of direct care and the acts of intimate caring of others.     

African American and White Managers:

Research points to differences in the experiences and response of African Americans and whites to organizational situations. This paper presents the results of a study which investigated differences in the management styles in eight local social service agency offices managed by African Americans and eight managed by whites. When the environment was turbulent, white managers responded by becoming more supportive of staff, while African American managers increased problem-solving communications. Staff in African American offices in turbulent environments had higher levels of job satisfation than either white offices of African Americans in nonturbulent environments.     

The Role of Criminal Social Identity in the Relationship between Criminal Friends and Criminal Thinking Style within a Sample of Recidivistic Prisoners

Previous research suggests a direct relationship between criminal friends and criminal thinking style; however, social identity theory proposes that identity mediates the impact of social group members on development of thinking styles. This research project is the first attempt to empirically test the mediating role of criminal social identity in the development of criminal thinking styles within a recidivistic prison sample (N = 312). The structural equation model of criminal thinking style presented and tested in this study supports the central predictions of social identity theory, with findings demonstrating an indirect effect of antisocial friend associations on criminal thinking through in-group affect and in-group ties with criminal in-group members that reflect two of three dimensions of the measure of criminal social identity applied in the current study. Further implications in relation to theory and previous studies are discussed.     

高等教育问题的“中国式”思考路径——读别敦荣教授的《高等教育管理与评估》

别敦荣教授的《高等教育管理与评估》一书体现了我国学者用“中国式”的思维和语言来思考和表达对我国高等教育的态度、观点和价值判断,反映出理论研究与实践研究紧密结合、理论研究的前瞻性和现实性、概念运用的规范性和准确性等特点。     

分科型艺术课程的教育价值探讨

当前中小学艺术教育实行的是一种单一的、刻板的、功利的传统分科型艺术课程,其最大的弊端是使艺术教育中的情感和技艺、人文素养和艺术知识的分离,单纯追求某一艺术学科的知识和技艺。分科型艺术课程已不适应当前艺术教育的发展,必须对其进行扬弃与改革。     

古代赋的兴起、繁荣、发展及现代辞赋的创作

我国"赋"源远流长,汉赋是我国赋体文学的源头,更是我国文学自觉时代的起点。期间经历了汉大赋、魏晋抒情赋、唐代律赋和晚唐小品赋、宋代的文赋等成就卓著。元科举不兴,明八股取士,但文人赋作仍有很多。尤其明末清初一批抨击阉党乱政、反对异族入侵和清末富有爱国情怀的赋家和赋作,更加拓展了赋的题材和内容。明清已还,赋论和赋集渐多,为研究辞赋奠定了基础。汉赋繁盛乃盛世必然。21世纪初,正逢盛世,新赋创作蔚为壮观,但是作家的国学修养、作品的思想深度、创作技巧还需进一步加强,尤其要向以欧阳修和苏轼为代表的宋代文赋作家和文赋作品学习。     

从陶俑艺术看秦汉时期的民族文化心理结构

秦汉时期的陶俑艺术在中国雕塑史上占有很重要的历史地位。探究秦汉陶俑艺术发展的历史文化动因,可以从其文化源头、艺术风格形成的社会背景等方面作考察,还可以从审美结构的视角,考察秦汉时期中华民族的文化心理结构,基此看秦汉时期的民族文化心理结构,其形成是一个由理性化为感性、由社会化为个体、由历史化为心理的建构过程。     

Attachment Styles,Loneliness, Quality,and Stability of Marital Relationships

Quality and stability of intimate relationships are determined by various factors. Associations between attachment styles, social and emotional loneliness, competence in being alone, and relationship qualities in couples have not yet been investigated. Sixty-three couples completed self-report measures of current relationship quality and duration, attachment style, and loneliness. Marital quality is predicted by means of experienced emotional loneliness, fearful attachment style, age, and participation in relationship counseling (R ² _corrected = .568). Length of relationship is predicted by age, experienced social loneliness, and competence in being alone (R ² _corrected = .648). Attachment styles, loneliness, age, competence in being alone, and participation in relationship counseling are all possible determinants of relationship qualities.