Concepts, Cases, and Compellingness: Exploring the Role of Intuitive Analysis in Philosophical Inquiry

This dissertation provides a better understanding of the method of cases, a method widely used in philosophical theorizing. Using this method involves relying on one’s intuitive judgments about cases to guide theorizing. Recently, such judgments have been experimentally examined, and it has been argued that the results of these studies encourage skepticism about the trustworthiness of this method. Responding to this skepticism involves developing a better understanding of the method of cases and the reliance on intuitive judgments in theory construction. I contribute to this project by arguing for a constraint on the kinds of hypothetical cases that can function as compelling counterexamples in conceptual analysis

Sleep in Offspring of Parents With Mood Disorders

Background: Sleep problems in childhood are an early predictor of mood disorders among individuals at high familial risk. However, the majority of the research has focused on sleep disturbances in already diagnosed individuals and has largely neglected investigating potential differences between weeknight and weekend sleep in high-risk offspring. This study examined sleep parameters in offspring of parents with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder during both weeknights and weekends.Methods: We used actigraphy, sleep diaries, and questionnaires to measure several sleep characteristics in 73 offspring aged 4–19 years: 23 offspring of a parent with major depressive disorder, 22 offspring of a parent with bipolar disorder, and 28 control offspring.Results: Offspring of parents with major depressive disorder slept, on average, 26 min more than control offspring on weeknights (95% confidence interval, 3 to 49 min, p = 0.027). Offspring of parents with bipolar disorder slept, on average, 27 min more on weekends than on weeknights compared to controls, resulting in a significant family history × weekend interaction (95% confidence interval, 7 to 47 min, p = 0.008).Conclusions: Sleep patterns in children and adolescents were related to the psychiatric diagnosis of their parent(s). Future follow-up of these results may clarify the relations between early sleep differences and the risk of developing mood disorders in individuals at high familial risk

Women's experience of treatment for depression: a phenomenological study

Treatment programs for persons with severe depression have eased the suffering that this condition causes and have allowed many women to have an increased quality of life. However, little research has been published on how women experience their treatment. The purpose of this study is to describe women's experience of treatment in programs for depression (inpatient treatment, mental health day treatment, and mental health outpatient treatment) and to gain a greater understanding of this experience. Six women who participated in these programs were recruited for the study. Data were generated through one-on-one unstructured interviews. -- The methodology for this study was phenomenology as outlined by Colaizzi (1978). Phenomenology seeks to describe a phenomenon as perceived by the individual. Therefore, the women's experience is presented using their own words as much as possible, while maintaining confidentiality of the women. -- Data were clustered under six themes; (a) feeling a sense of safety and relief, (b) frustration of learning to navigate the system, (c) making connections with others in a similar situation, (d) finding therapeutic staff members, (e) learning new insights and skills, and (f) gaining some control over your illness. These interrelated themes illustrate what it is like for women to take part in treatment programs for their depression. -- Findings from the study will contribute to the knowledge and understanding of how women who have depression experience treatment in selected programs. A number of practice, education, and research implications for nurses and other health professionals come from this research

Concept formation

In chapter one I present Heinrich Rickert's theory of concept formation. Influenced by Kant, Rickert develops a transcendental account of meaning and argues that while we can demarcate between various methods for forming valid concepts, all of these are scientific. -- In chapter two I present W.B. Gallie's theory of essentially contested concepts. Gallie argues that meaning develops historically, or contingently, in relation to the diverse ends that structure human action. He nevertheless maintains that concepts can be theoretically justified as valid. -- In chapter three I argue that Gallie's philosophy is preferable to Rickert's. First, I criticize Rickert for denying social history. Second, I praise Gallie for arguing that imagination plays an essential role in the development of valid concepts. I go on to make the original suggestion that Gallie's epistemology is based on an interpretation of Peirce's pragmatism

A QUALITATIVE METHODOLOGY FOR THEORY ELUCIDATION, EXPLICATION, AND DEVELOPMENT APPLIED WITHIN AN INTENSIVE GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY PROGRAM

Mental health day treatment (MHDT) programs provide intensive group psychotherapy for patients with psychiatric pathology complicated by personality disorder. Recently, researchers have begun to examine specific components of these programs. Of importance is the theoretical rationale, which may be challenging to understand given the complexity of the treatment. The purpose of this project was to investigate the theory of one MHDT program. Community-based participatory research was chosen and accordingly, all stages of the project were collaborative with the MHDT clinical team. We engaged in a six-month, iterative process of weekly action-reflection cycles wherein material was discussed, analyzed for themes, and the findings presented back to the team to further the conversation. Results summarize this program’s Theories of Dysfunction and Therapeutic Change, which were primarily psychodynamic, but also integrative through assimilation of elements from other paradigms. Usefulness of the research process is discussed and recommendations are provided for others wishing to undergo a similar process