Psychological differentiation and forms of pathology
Abstract
Research on cognitive styles and the broader dimensions of personality functioning of which they are a part has important implications for personality theory and research and problems of diagnosis and therapy. This is demonstrated through the global-articulated cognitive style (manifested in perception as field-dependence-independence) and the dimension of psychological differentiation of which it is the cognitive component. Different kinds of pathology occur with impairment of integration in more differentiated and less differentiated personalities. The differentiation concept and dimensions of cognitive style may help clarify nosological problems. In therapy, persons functioning at a more differentiated or less differentiated level are likely to differ in presenting symptoms, suitability for psychotherapy, nature of relation to the therapist (transference), and prospects for change. (2 p. ref.)