Timothy K. De Chenne’s research while affiliated with University of California System and other places

Reviews the book, The creative process of psychotherapy by Albert Rothenberg (see record 1987-98784-000). Rothenberg's most recent work is a slim, elegantly crafted volume bearing an unanticipated impact. The subject, psychotherapy as a "creative process," suggests a threadbare humanistic cliché, a pleasing phrase devoid of meaning or procedural import. However, creativity emerges from this work as an unexpectedly legitimate, specifiable, and procedurally relevant dimension of psychotherapy. Rothenberg sees the creative process as consisting of three basic elements: the "homospatial" process, the "janusian" process, and a more vaguely defined general function labeled "articulation." It is the homospatial and janusian notions that yield the most productive applications to therapy. The homospatial process involves imagining a literal superimposition of two or more discrete sensory entities, entities such as visual images, patterns of sound, and so on. This imagined superimposition is not a regression to primary process, not a condensation or fusion, but rather a dynamic, unstable interaction that yields products both new and valuable. The janusian process refers to simultaneously conceiving two or more antithetical notions. In the author's thinking, articulation is a general function which, while encompassing the previously mentioned processes, includes other patterns as well. Despite isolated deficits, this work is a mature, masterful treatment of a critically important issue in clinical work. The author accurately points out that the richest and most productive therapy is creative, and he encourages us as helpers to give freer rein to our homospatial and janusian functions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Presents a model of boredom containing 4 variables (activation, orientation, needs, and skills) that is partly based on activation theory (S. R. Maddi, 1980). Boredom is predicted to be greatest among those with a high customary activation, an external orientation, frustrated needs, and low skill levels. General considerations regarding the management of boredom in the client are discussed and illustrated with case material. The origin and nature of boredom in 3 personality disorders (the histrionic, dependent, and schizoid) are contrasted. Finally, the implications of boredom in the therapist are considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Based on a review of the literature, a model of boredom is offered containing four variables. Two of these, customary activation and orientation, are drawn from the work of Maddi and Fiske (Fiske & Maddi, 1961; Maddi, 1980). The other two, needs and skills, are included to improve the clinical utility of the model. In this framework, the person most prone to boredom is one with customarily high activation, and external orientation, frustrated needs, and a low level of skills. It is suggested that among the four variables, needs and skills are generally more responsive to intervention. The clinical implications are discussed.