Journal of Projective Psychology and Mental Health: Volume 8, Number 1, Jan 2001 Editorial |
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| 1. SIS as an Instrument of Change: S.K.Verma, pages 1-2. Change is the law of nature. In the field of Projective Psychology and Mental Health, the inclusion of SIS may be considered as an instrument bringing the fresh air and ushering in the new era of change in our attitude towards health and illness. The author has highlighted the importance of SIS as a new Test. 2. SIS Explorations of Human Consciousness (Presidential address Delivered during 4th SIS International Conference, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India November 24-27, 2000:W. A. Cassell, pages 3-14. It is an honor and great pleasure to address this conference. For those abroad, India has historically been a beacon of intellectual and spiritual light, especially for those interested in yoga training. Dr. Alfred Collins, one of our SIS board members in Alaska, has studied in this culturally rich climate. Like many such trained American psychologists, he has a guru here. Because of his mothers terminal illness, he is unable to attend. He wanted me to personally communicate his regrets as well as his great appreciation for all that he has received from India. Rapidly evolving SIS technology provides highly innovative techniques for exploring human consciousness. These promise to lead to new ways of enriching mind-body processes and healing. At the dawn of this new millennium, members of the Somatic Inkblot Society can begin an intellectual voyage with great enthusiasm! We live at a time of incredibly rapid technological change. Modern Internet technology brings us all closer and we are more interdependent. We all share the atmosphere of this relatively small, environmentally fragile planet. Our identities as citizens of one particular country become blurred in a positive sense. We now can benefit from friendships linked by immediate e-mail, even though we are miles apart. The development of the SIS Web page for education, psychological assessment and therapy is currently being given high priority. We very much welcome input and suggestions at this meeting. While some are making large amounts of money from Internet enterprises, our philosophy is to work as a nonprofit scientific organization whose goal is to expand human consciousness to its full potential. At this meeting, let us feel free to communicate with dignity and honesty about both the advantages and limitations of expanding the scope of SIS technology. Thoughtfully consider all new ideas and arguments including those that you do not personally share. Remember that advances in science do not ordinarily occur without creative conflict. Recognize that our scientific SIS journey exploring mind-body relationships may traverse conceptual grounds that are both highly fluid and illusive. We may at times blindly and erroneously attempt to cross boundaries into mystical realms. No doubt these will prove beyond the scope of psychobiological assessment, mathematical quantification and ultimate human understanding. At this conference, let us try at all times to communicate with humility, respect for our colleagues and reverence for the mysteries of human consciousness. In active discussions, enjoy this wonderful opportunity to share directly, without the potentially disruptive influences inherent in electronic internet communication. We all are aware of how disruptions can come cleverly disguised and from unlikely sources such as the Philippines student who recently unleashed the internet Love Bug virus. Let us all take advantage of this setting to kindle bonds of friendship that will surely enhance our future SIS work. My wife, Mary, and I feel very close emotionally and spiritually to members of this SIS Society. We feel particularly blessed to include Dr. Bankey L. Dubey and his wife Padma as beloved members of our spiritual family. With a sense of loss, they have graciously loaned us their talented computer -literate sons, Anand and Asheem. They have been recently living with us in Anchorage, while attending university in Alaska. We view them with deep affection and great appreciation. As will be subsequently shown in a later stage of this presidential address, they have completed outstanding technical work in upgrading the SIS Web Page. In contemplating the role of the SIS technology in the new millennium, one is frequently amazed by the ever-increasing rate of incredible advances in scientific achievement. Remarkable developments in astronomy and space exploration have changed our view of the cosmos as well as our understanding of the origins of life. Physical scientists near Fairbanks, Alaska, are rushing to crack the mystery of the northern lights (part of our presentation in the conference thru slide and Video). Hopefully these colorful shifting light patterns will further foster an appreciation for our planets natural beauty. As you appreciate them, you must consider that these energy forms can serve as a type of SIS inkblot projective stimuli. For example, many newly wed Japanese couples honeymoon near Fairbanks. Their culture includes the notion that procreation is enhanced by such mystical visual stimulation from Nature. Perhaps next, we might turn our attention to a few outstanding examples of fascinating technological achievements in the health sciences. Prominent examples in this area include the recent deciphering of the DNA genetic code, the creation of new drugs in medicine with previously unimaginable therapeutic benefits, the design of robotic surgical techniques, and so on. In this technological age, our SIS work must be ever changing and innovative to keep pace, or we will be left far behind. While there are many highly interesting areas of mind-body research, I hope that many in this society will strive to assist all those who are studying human aggression. If we can develop effective ways to prevent deranged individuals from unleashing modern weapons of mass destruction, there will be immense hope for our young people worldwide. The SIS images appear to facilitate the assessment of aggressive imagery. Of course, much scientific work needs to be done before we can understand and control violent behavior, either in the mentally ill or the so-called normal population. Imagine how much better the future would be if we could develop reliable assessment techniques that could screen political candidates. Another application involves expanding the SIS technology in industry. For example, in a few reputable Indian companies, the SIS has been highly successful in a number of areas, such as personality assessment and therapeutic intervention. Moreover, it also has been used effectively as an instrument for selection and promotion. It has emerged as a tool for the facilitation of team buildup and interpersonal relationships as well as a variety of other psychological applications. We are very appreciative and fortunate to have distinguished senior executives such as those from IFFCO. Telephone Cables, LGE etc. here with us. Another example involves our need to develop a series of educational programs. Arrangements need to be made with appropriate professional educational bodies, so that participants can acquire formal education credits in their area of specialty. Not only will this spread the use of the SIS, it could also become an important source of funds for the Somatic Inkblot Society. Lastly, and perhaps in the long run, the most important, is the ability of the SIS to be an image vehicle for the expression of deep-seated emotional pain. Internationally, too many children suffer in silence without an effective means of communicating their inner cry. Many cannot communicate with their parental figures. Frequently, these adults are either not available to them for guidance and emotional support. In dysfunctional families, the adults may not want to hear because of their responsibility and guilt. Classroom teachers do not wish to begin the morning teaching sessions with a review of traumatized and neglected children's nightmares. It would open up subjects that are highly relevant for the developing young minds, but which the teachers are ill prepared to pursue. Moreover, in troubled populations such as the Alaskan native communities, it would expose them to occupational risk for secondary empathetic trauma. Consequently, educators ordinarily rationalize that communication about imagery from dreams; childrens drawings or SIS responses would be too disruptive to formal studies. Religious leaders and politicians do not want to hear of the suffering of the neglected, rejected in the disintegrating societal house of cards. It would point to the failure of their belief systems. As SIS scientists, it is our role to be a voice for suffering humanity, even in those many where the individuals have long forgotten the sources of their inner cry. 3. Experiences of the Therapeutic Assessment with Couples: Ailo Uhinki,pages 15-18. The number of divorces has shown a constantly rising trend during the last years in Finland. Consequently, new effective techniques are needed to respond to people who are searching for help in marital interaction problems. A technique called Couples Assessment holds out great hope as a brief marital therapy. It is based on the model of Therapeutic Assessment initiated by Finn. Theoretical explanations are found in Self-psychology, Object Relations Theory and Ego Psychology. Individual and joint interviews, personality assessment techniques and feedback sessions are the main tools of this approach. The Rorschach, the MMPI and other methods have been used. As a new technique the SIS obviously could offer alternative possibilities in this connection. The Couples Assessment seems to work in practice but, to the best of the authors knowledge, we still lack research regarding it. 4. Yoga and Personality: Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati, Chancellor, Bihar Yoga Bharati, Ganga Darshan, Munger - 811201, pages 19-22. Yoga is a process of understanding the necessities of life and the management of the mind and human potentials. Of course, there are many other aspects of yoga and to perfect them all is a lifelong process, but, as they say, a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. This is how yoga can help us in our lives. The practice of asanas helps in the management of the body, providing physical balance and harmony. Pranayama, mudras and bandhas are ways to channel the physical forces, giving us the opportunity to deal with the manifest mind. It helps in the development and shaping of personality at all stages. 5. Effect of Yogic Practices on Depression and Anxiety: M. Mishra and R. K. Sinha, pages 23-27. Yoga is a holistic science, which encompasses yogic life for living, yogic practices and following of yogic attitudes. Yoga affects all dimensions of personality. Practice of yoga affects the physical, mental and spiritual levels of personality. Therefore by following yogic practices and lifestyle there is a reduction in one's physical, mental and emotional problems. In this study, we found that though the yogic practices were aimed at reducing problems of (G.I.D.) they had considerable effects on the levels of depression and anxiety also. It can be concluded that effects of yogic practices are holistic and in the case of depression and anxiety, it's effects are highly positive and remarkable. 6. SIS II Profile of Professional Murderers: A.R. Singh, K.C. Manjhi, B. L. Dubey and K. R. Banerjee, pages 28-30. The Somatic Inkblot Series-II test was administered to 30 professional murderers and the result was compared with normal subjects. The findings suggest that the SIS-II is a powerful psychological test to discriminate murderers from the normal population. 7. A study of Somatic Inkblot Series-I in Hospitalized Male Chronic Schizophrenics: S. Kumar, R. Singh and Sandhya Mohanty, pages 31-34. The present study was designed to identify the prominent SIS-I indices among hospitalised male chronic schizophrenics. The test was administered on 32 male hospitalised chronic schizophrenics drawn from Agra Mansik Arogyashala and 32 normal participants. The analysis of results indicated that the schizophrenic group scored lower on total number of responses, animal responses, anatomical responses, sex responses, most typical responses and typical responses. 8. Age Related Changes in SIS - II Response Contents: Rakesh Pandey,V.R.M. Tripathi and Seema Tripathi, pages 35-40. The present study examined the effect of age on SIS-II response contents. Three groups of subjects belonging to rural areas of Gopalganj district in the age range of 6-12 (children) 13-20 (adults) and 21-40 years (adults) were individually tested on the SIS-II. Responses were scored for 9 indices. Analysis of the data revealed an age related increasing trend for various categories of sex responses as well as for movement, most typical, atypical and rejection responses. A reverse trend (i.e. decrease in score with increasing age) was obtained for human responses. Age specific changes in other SIS-II indices were also observed. Contrary to earlier findings, subjects of the present study across all age groups showed slightly elevated scores on atypical response index of SIS-II. These observations therefore put a need to develop norms for the rural population. 9. The Adjunctive Use of a Projective Technique with Hypno-Therapy: George Savage, South Africa, E-mail: gsav@worldonline.co.za , pages 41-50. Somatic Inkblot Series-I was administered to three patients who were not responding with medical treatment. The SIS was able to identify deep-seated conflicts which patients were unable to uncover through conventional therapy. The usefulness of the therapeutic tool of reframing along with hypnotic relaxation is also demonstrated with the help of three case studies. 10. Therapeutic Utility of SIS-II: M. Mishra and N. Mishra, pages 51-52. The SIS-II is both a diagnostic and a therapeutic instrument. It was administered to a 18 years female college student who had lost her mother in early childhood and was staying with her uncle who had no children. She had a difficult relationship with her stepmother. Her responses to SIS images were able to bring out her inner cry and depressed feelings. The case is discussed in length in this presentation. 11. Psychological Characteristics of Subjects with Achondroplasia and Traumatically Shortened Extremities: Anatoly Khromov, Kurgan, Russia, E-mail: anatolykh@hotmail.com , pages 53-64. In comparative research, aggressiveness (Buss and Durkee), emotional state (SUPOS-8, Miksic), and projective body images (SIS-I, Cassell) of 19 subjects with Achondroplasia, 18 with traumatically shortened extremities, and 95 healthy subjects, 17 - 20 years old, were studied. The data was analyzed contextually and statistically. The most valuable information was discovered from the projected responses of SIS-I technique, which represents the ego-body-image. No other technique was able to get this. The subjects with Achondroplasia gave fewer movement responses. Some responses were replaced by an image that suggested I'm small (i.e. pussy cat). The correlation of such images was 17- 6 - 3 for each group of 10 subjects. The body image for such subjects was evident only at the subconscious level, which allows them to keep a good self-esteem. The main psychological features of dwarves were superseding somatic images, inadequacy and infantilism, increased sensitivity and an attachment to other people. Subjects with an acquired orthopedic defect have clear images of the deformed body at the conscious level, causing frustration, a high level of physical and verbal aggression, negativism and an extra punitive reaction. |
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