The role of unusual conscious experiences in mental illness : an exploration guided by process models of symptom formation and by a hierarchical theory of personal illness : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

The relationship between non-clinical unusual conscious experiences and mental illness was explored cross-sectionally in 104 users of community mental health services. Morris (1997) organised unusual conscious experiences and psychiatric symptoms according to the cognitive process errors believed to underlie them, and highlighted the role in the formation of symptoms of difficulties in determining the intentions of the self and others. Foulds's (1976) hierarchical theory of personal illness predicted that progressively more serious layers of symptoms would be experienced, in addition to those already present, as the ability to discern intentionalily diminished. Participants completed the Delusions-Symptoms-States Inventory and the Conscious Experiences Questionnaire, and their primary clinicians provided Global Assessment of Functioning ratings. Foulds's hierarchical theory was found to be valid, and the frequency of unusual conscious experiences and deficits in determining intentionality increased the higher participants were placed on his hierarchy. Global functioning, although unrelated to position on the hierarchy or symptom related distress (findings attributed to the failure to assess negative symptoms) was weakly associated with the frequency of unusual conscious experiences. Cognitive process errors were positively correlated with each other, consistent with the errors occurring in the course of a single underlying process. Predicted associations were found between: delusions of persecution and difficulties in determining the intentions of others; hallucinations and the attribution of imagined percepts to external sources; grandiose delusions and the attribution of the actions of others to the self; conversion symptoms and the attribution of actions of the self to external sources; dissociative symptoms and the attribution of percepts with an external origin to the imagination; and delusions (of grandiosity, persecution, contrition, and passivity) and the attribution of events to an unseen power or force. Predicted associations were not found for passivity delusions or delusions of contrition. The implications for dimensional conceptions of mental illness are discussed, and research recommended to isolate the trait component of unusual conscious experiences. The utility of the cognitive process and intentionality findings are discussed in terms of generating hypotheses for future research, and guiding cognitive behaviour therapy and clinical management

Does marketing and sales integration always pay off? evidence from a social capital perspective

Building on social capital theory, the authors view the marketing and sales interface as a set of inter-group ties and investigate how firms (1) generate value from inter-group relationships and (2) develop the social capital embedded in these relationships. Their findings suggest that social capital enhances, but can also limit, a firm’s performance depending on the characteristics of its customers. Their results also demonstrate that managing the marketing and sales interface at different levels of customer concentration is critical to the success of a firm’s performance.Marketing organization; sales organization; interface; social capital theory.

Paul and Grace in Theological Perspective: A Grateful Response

This response to the above seven articles engages with some of the significant ways in which each takes forward the theological discussion of grace. While some areas of disagreement arise, the overall sense is of a conversation that is moving beyond Paul and the Gift, using its contribution to open fresh avenues for understanding between Catholic and Protestant theologians on this deeply controversial topic, and new possibilities for conversation between biblical exegesis and theology

There is Neither Old Nor Young? Early Christianity and Ancient Ideologies of Age

Instructions given to the ‘older’ and ‘younger’ in some early Christian texts prompt inquiry into the rationale for this polarity and its ideological freight. Demographics suggest that the adult population rarely contained more than two generations, and comparative study indicates that where age was marked these categories usually sufficed. Their ambiguity and flexibility made them suited to ideological deployment, legitimating the power of the ‘older’. 1 Peter, 1 Clement, the Pastorals, and Polycarp demonstrate this phenomenon in early Christianity, with 1 Tim 4.12 and Ignatius Mag. 3.1 as exceptions that prove the rule. But why are age qualifications absent from the authentic Paulines

Gift and Grace in Philippians, 2 Thessalonians, and Ephesians: a Response

This response to Willis, Sumney, and MacDonald highlights and develops their key points. Reinforcing Willis’ reading of gift-reciprocity in Philippians, seen even in the self-giving (non-“taking”) of Christ (Phil 2.6-11), it is argued that Paul views gifts in Christ as operative simultaneously at two levels—gifts circulate among believers, but also come from God and are offered to God. Sumney’s reading of 2 Thessalonians is nuanced by connecting the language of “worth” to 1 Thess 2.12: the congruity between believers and the Kingdom of God is based on the agency of God and the prior gift of new life. Further reflection is offered on the perfection of “efficacy” and its possible range of meanings. Finally, MacDonald’s reading of Ephesians is affirmed with emphasis on the Christ-gift as the key to the cosmos; the Psalm-interpretation in Ephesians 4.7-10 clarifies how this gift permeates (“fills”) all reality, as manifested first in gifts within Christ’s body

Eneuresis, and Its Treatment by a New Remedy

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