The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology

Axline, V. M.; Rogers, C. R.

doi: 10.1037/h0054533pmid: N/A

The detailed case history reveals how a skillful teacher-therapist treated a maladjusted 6-year-old boy whose problems included a throat constriction that prevented eating; infantile and antisocial behavior; rejection by his mother and first foster-mother; and several severe illnesses. Nondirective therapy was adhered to, with apparent acceptance of the child just as he was. Signs of transference appeared because of the obvious interest of the teacher, but no dependence remained after therapy was discontinued. The therapist helped the boy to recognize his underlying feelings and conflicting desires by interpreting his statements and actions. Projective play situations were quite revealing. The neurotic tendencies were overcome when the boy accepted his conflicting desires and learned that adult reactions generally brought more satisfaction.

Clark, K. B.; Barker, J.

doi: 10.1037/h0062983pmid: N/A

An intelligent, 18-year-old Negro "zoot suiter" gives a verbal report of his participation in the Harlem riot of 1943. The report shows disintegration of personality in response to outlets for the frustration of being rejected or outcast. The disrespect for authority, persons, and property appears to be typical of the antisocial "zoot" reaction.

Green, G. H.; Alper, T. G.

doi: 10.1037/h0059246pmid: N/A

Two brief reports by Green show the initial and follow-up picture of a girl who, at 15 years of age, led a marked fantasy life. Alper illustrates the use of the material for class discussion of prognosis, with enumeration of conditions favoring mental breakdown or adjustment.

Shakow, D.; Rodnick, E. H.; Lebeaux, T.

doi: 10.1037/h0058941pmid: N/A

In diagnosing and treating neuropsychiatric casualties from the armed forces, patients were examined by a full clinical staff. The psychological battery included mental tests, Rorschach, association, aspiration level, thematic apperception under normal and "stress' conditions, pursuitmeter, and picture-frustration tests. No single test or interview method was adequate for all patients. Thus several examiners of both sexes worked with each patient, giving a variety of tests which revealed both formal abilities and problems and also hidden or contentual information. The contrast of responses under normal conditions and under stress was very useful. A case study of a schizophrenic man illustrates the use of the test data to form an integrated picture of personality.

Johnson, D. M.

doi: 10.1037/h0062339pmid: N/A

The writer analyzes the records of an example of mass hysteria in a small Illinois town. One woman's hysterical report of being gassed and paralyzed at night led to heightened suggestibility of many others. Most victims were women of slightly below average social status. A surge of telephone calls to the police, reporting prowlers and "gassers,' was followed by an abnormal decrease in calls to the police after the attacks were judged to be imaginary.

Oppenheimer, F.

doi: 10.1037/h0053854pmid: N/A

Three stories written in a thematic apperception test are interpreted to show status symbols supporting the author's hypothesis regarding the religious and social nature of serious conflicts present in a postdb_1utante.

Rosenzweig, S.; Clark, R. A.

doi: 10.1037/h0060529pmid: N/A

The case study of a schizoid ex-soldier is presented to illustrate the integration of interview data and test findings. Five of the tests emphasize the projective methods of personality study. Responses during the tests are interpreted, as are the psychiatric findings that reveal the course of the maladjustment.

Samelson, B.

doi: 10.1037/h0060330pmid: N/A

A study of many interview ballots on attitudes toward the Negro convinces the writer that there is congruence in an individual's responses to many different questions. The answers of a typical upper-class Southern woman are reported and interpreted to demonstrate an underlying consistency of viewpoint, with subtle evasion of fact and logic.

Munroe, R. L.

doi: 10.1037/h0054302pmid: N/A

A fairly average college girl is diagnosed from "blind' (test material only) analyses from a group Rorschach test, a graphological analysis, and an appraisal of spontaneous drawings. The three analyses are presented in parallel for comparison with independent evaluations of Sally by teachers. The case study is presented to suggest that such projective tests may supplement the more usual mental tests in understanding the learning and adjustment problems of the individual student.

White, R. W.; Tomkins, S. S.; Alper, T. G.

doi: 10.1037/h0062172pmid: N/A

A fairly well-adjusted Harvard junior, studied intensively by 24 workers at the Psychological Clinic, is described in detail with respect to manifest traits, ideals and aspirations, abilities, temperament, family history, fantasies, and behavior under stress. The study reveals that the present adjustment was reached by overcoming difficulties and resolving important conflicts. Some conflicts are only partially solved, but the habits of realistic evaluation of self and aspirations are well established. The self-discipline of the subject is revealed in unusual adaptability and control under experimental frustration.