This paper discusses some of the problems associated with research on depression. Research issues such as subject selection, multimodal assessment, and psychiatric diagnosis are discussed. The relative merits of alternative research methodologies, such as single-case, group, and correlational field designs, are also considered. Finally, some suggestions for the synthesis of research methodologies are offered.
Elimination of hysterical torticollis through the use of a metronome in an operant conditioning paradigm
A patient was treated for hysterical torticollis by an operant shaping procedure, using a metronome as the discriminative stimulus. The patient regained complete voluntary control of the neck muscles within eight sessions, and has remained symptom free at 9 month follow-up.
Language behavior therapy: A derivative of social behaviorism — New principles, analyses, procedures?
Three patients with chronic relapsing depression were treated with a combination of cognitive and behavioral techniques. The main behavioral modality consisted of the use of activity schedules. The cognitive approach was directed at exposing and correcting the patients’ negative distortions of the activities undertaken. These patients, although not substantially helped by drug therapy, showed prompt and sustained improvement with cognitive-behavioral therapy as reflected by their scores with the Hamilton and Beck Depression measures.
