Network destabilization and transition in depression : new methods for studying the dynamics of therapeutic change

The science of dynamic systems is the study of pattern formation and system change. Dynamic systems theory can provide a useful framework for understanding the chronicity of depression and its treatment. We propose a working model of therapeutic change with potential to organize findings from psychopathology and treatment research, suggest new ways to study change, facilitate comparisons across studies, and stimulate treatment innovation. We describe a treatment for depression that we developed to apply principles from dynamic systems theory and then present a program of research to examine the utility of this application. Recent methodological and technological developments are also discussed to further advance the search for mechanisms of therapeutic change

Dealing with Romantic Rejection: The Effect of Implicit Theories and Self-Esteem on Rejection Narratives

Effects of Dweck’s model of implicit self-theories on narratives of romantic rejection are investigated. Specifically, an entity theory of personality, or a view that personality cannot change, and an incremental theory of personality, or view that personality can change, were found to be both causally and correlationally associated with the manner in which participants narrated personal experiences of romantic rejection. Implicit theories of personality interacted with self-esteem in their effects on these narratives, as well as exhibited separate main effects. An experimental study showed that participants primed with an entity theory were more likely than participants primed with an incremental theory to exhibit defensive processing such as self-protection and to attribute their rejection to the person who rejected them. In addition, this experimental study showed that people with high self-esteem tended to narrate experiences of romantic rejection in a more emotionally positive manner than people with low self-esteem, with those primed with an incremental theory with high self-esteem showing more positive change in their narratives than most other participants. The correlational study showed that entity theorists with low self-esteem tended to exhibit less positive change in their narratives, and have a more helpless mindset towards future romantic endeavors than all other participants. Implications for future studies regarding the priming of implicit self-theories and the study of these theories in relational to narrative processing are discussed