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Bibliography of behavior modification 1924–1975
Behav. Res. & Therapy. 1977.Vol. IS, pp. 307-311. Pergamon Press. Prmted m Great Brttam
BOOK H. G.
ZAFQTOCSKY.
Neurosen-Mythen,
REVIEWS
Modelle, Fakten, S. Karger.
Base]. 1976.
This slim paperbacked volume is divided into two parts. The first contains a critical discussion of conceptions views of which the author is reasonably critical and going on of neuroses, beginning with the “dynamic” to theories put forward by learning theorists. Special sections are devoted to the theories of Eysenck and of Lader. The author is particularly interested in Berner’s system of the three “Achsensyndrome”, as outlined in that author’s book on Psychiatrische System&k (Bern; Hufer, 1975.) This system will not be well known in English-speaking countries; its advantage to some will be a mingling of dynamic and conditioning concepts (a mixture which will have the opposite effect on other people!): its main disadvantage is an apparent inability to distinguish between psychotic and neurotic states and symptoms, and failure to pay attention to the large literature suggesting that these are qualitatively entirely different. The second and longer part of the monograph deals with the author’s own investigations in which he studies a central group or “Kerngruppe” and compares it with two other neurotic populations. The group is small, amounting only to 50 people, but has been studied very carefully and the author relates different types of disorders to many social and other criteria. such as sex, education, social class, etc. The outcome of the study is interpreted as favourable to Berner’s theory but it is difficult to see quite how this study constitutes in any way a crucial test of the theory. The hypotheses put forward are not of the kind which could be falsified easily by the kind of data collected. Data are given on the improvement and condition of the patients, and there seems to be no doubt that they emerge much improved in the majority of cases; unfortunately there is no control group to study the effects of spontaneous remission. The very term “spontaneous remission” seems to be shunned by the author. On the whole this should be regarded as a descriptive study which tends to show that Viennese neurotics do not differ very much from Anglo-American neurotics in their behaviour or the remission of their symptoms over time. The monograph is unlikely to persuade the reader that Berner’s theories will advance the study of neurosis to any significant extent. H. J.
MORRIS
Durham,
F. BRITT. Bibliography of Bohariar Modificarion NC 27705. $18.00 + $1 postage.
lY24-IY75.
Privately
printed:
EYSENCK
3000 Erwin
Road,
This privately printed book lists 6.780 references to the behaviour therapy literature, and it also contains an extensive and carefully prepared index which should be an absolute godsend to research worders trying to locate articles in a particular field. The author, Dr. Morris F. Britt. is Director of Psychological Services of the Cerebral Palsy and Crippled Children’s Hospital of North Carolina. and he is to be congratulated on carrying out this important and excruciatingly difficult and time-consuming task in such an exemplary manner. TIIe book aiso contains other interesting iniormation. e.g. a tabie iisting the number oi articies published on behaviour therapy from 1968-1975 (chronicling a more than tenfold increase!), and a list of authors together with the number of publications in this area. Behaviour therapists of various persuasions might like to look at the list on page 9 and correlate the number of publications with the estimated importance of the persons involved, to see if visibility correlates with excellence! Out of the 75 or so entries in this list of contributors having most entries in the book, over 10:; came from my department; this may be read as an argument for or againsf the existence of such a correlation, as the reader pleases! It is obviously impossible to review such a book in any real sense but the few checks I have been able to make suggest that it is extremely accurate although no doubt a few errors will have slipped in (Vie Mayer on page 9 is correctly given as Vie Meyer on page 11. but this can hardly count as a major error). Let me just say that few behaviour therapists would not be better off for having a copy of this bibliography on their bookshelves and although no information on this is given. I imagine it can be obtained by writing to the author who will no doubt make a suitable charge for the copies. Let me just end this review by regretting his choice of the title “Behavior Modification”: it is I think psychologically a very inapt word to use as it suggests to many people (and not only to laymen) that psychologists are out to brainwash people and modify their behaviour against their own interests and desires. Behaviour therapy suggests that the intervention is at the request of the patient or client, and in his interest; it is for this reason that I originally chose the term, and I think that it is regrettable that Americans in particular seem to prefer behaviour modification. H. J.
EYSENCK
BOOK H. G.
ZAFQTOCSKY.
Neurosen-Mythen,
REVIEWS
Modelle, Fakten, S. Karger.
Base]. 1976.
This slim paperbacked volume is divided into two parts. The first contains a critical discussion of conceptions views of which the author is reasonably critical and going on of neuroses, beginning with the “dynamic” to theories put forward by learning theorists. Special sections are devoted to the theories of Eysenck and of Lader. The author is particularly interested in Berner’s system of the three “Achsensyndrome”, as outlined in that author’s book on Psychiatrische System&k (Bern; Hufer, 1975.) This system will not be well known in English-speaking countries; its advantage to some will be a mingling of dynamic and conditioning concepts (a mixture which will have the opposite effect on other people!): its main disadvantage is an apparent inability to distinguish between psychotic and neurotic states and symptoms, and failure to pay attention to the large literature suggesting that these are qualitatively entirely different. The second and longer part of the monograph deals with the author’s own investigations in which he studies a central group or “Kerngruppe” and compares it with two other neurotic populations. The group is small, amounting only to 50 people, but has been studied very carefully and the author relates different types of disorders to many social and other criteria. such as sex, education, social class, etc. The outcome of the study is interpreted as favourable to Berner’s theory but it is difficult to see quite how this study constitutes in any way a crucial test of the theory. The hypotheses put forward are not of the kind which could be falsified easily by the kind of data collected. Data are given on the improvement and condition of the patients, and there seems to be no doubt that they emerge much improved in the majority of cases; unfortunately there is no control group to study the effects of spontaneous remission. The very term “spontaneous remission” seems to be shunned by the author. On the whole this should be regarded as a descriptive study which tends to show that Viennese neurotics do not differ very much from Anglo-American neurotics in their behaviour or the remission of their symptoms over time. The monograph is unlikely to persuade the reader that Berner’s theories will advance the study of neurosis to any significant extent. H. J.
MORRIS
Durham,
F. BRITT. Bibliography of Bohariar Modificarion NC 27705. $18.00 + $1 postage.
lY24-IY75.
Privately
printed:
EYSENCK
3000 Erwin
Road,
This privately printed book lists 6.780 references to the behaviour therapy literature, and it also contains an extensive and carefully prepared index which should be an absolute godsend to research worders trying to locate articles in a particular field. The author, Dr. Morris F. Britt. is Director of Psychological Services of the Cerebral Palsy and Crippled Children’s Hospital of North Carolina. and he is to be congratulated on carrying out this important and excruciatingly difficult and time-consuming task in such an exemplary manner. TIIe book aiso contains other interesting iniormation. e.g. a tabie iisting the number oi articies published on behaviour therapy from 1968-1975 (chronicling a more than tenfold increase!), and a list of authors together with the number of publications in this area. Behaviour therapists of various persuasions might like to look at the list on page 9 and correlate the number of publications with the estimated importance of the persons involved, to see if visibility correlates with excellence! Out of the 75 or so entries in this list of contributors having most entries in the book, over 10:; came from my department; this may be read as an argument for or againsf the existence of such a correlation, as the reader pleases! It is obviously impossible to review such a book in any real sense but the few checks I have been able to make suggest that it is extremely accurate although no doubt a few errors will have slipped in (Vie Mayer on page 9 is correctly given as Vie Meyer on page 11. but this can hardly count as a major error). Let me just say that few behaviour therapists would not be better off for having a copy of this bibliography on their bookshelves and although no information on this is given. I imagine it can be obtained by writing to the author who will no doubt make a suitable charge for the copies. Let me just end this review by regretting his choice of the title “Behavior Modification”: it is I think psychologically a very inapt word to use as it suggests to many people (and not only to laymen) that psychologists are out to brainwash people and modify their behaviour against their own interests and desires. Behaviour therapy suggests that the intervention is at the request of the patient or client, and in his interest; it is for this reason that I originally chose the term, and I think that it is regrettable that Americans in particular seem to prefer behaviour modification. H. J.
EYSENCK