This study explored the effect of tachistoscopic stimulation of subconscious oedipal wishes on the dart-throwing performance of 72 college males. The study was designed with three purposes: (a) to replicate Silverman etal. (1978), who found subjects' dart-throwing performance to improve after they viewed the subliminal stimulus BEATING DAD is OK and to worsen after they viewed BEATING • DAD is WRONG; (b) to see if dart-throwing behavior is also affected by supraliminal oedipal stimulation; and (c) to investigate the influence of priming (i.e., preexperimental arousal of oedipal wishes) on the effect of tachistoscopic stimulation. Previous results were not replicated despite close adherence to Silverman et al.'s methodology, nor were other significant effects found. Questions are thereby raised about the ability to impact upon subconscious oedipal wishes in a behaviorally observable way using this paradigm.
Despite prohibitions by the ethical codes of all major mental health professions, therapist sexual misconduct remains a serious problem. Over the past 13 years, individual states have enacted laws regarding therapist sexual misconduct with the hope of more successfully curbing this behavior. The laws fall into four categories: civil, criminal, reporting, and injunctive relief statutes. This article discusses the theoretical underpinnings of the laws, examines the provisions of the existing statutes, and provides an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each category of statute. Preliminary evaluative data are also presented.The issue of sexual misconduct by therapists (and other professionals ) has gradually emerged from the shadows of public consciousness and into the spotlight. All major mental health organizations recognize the unethical nature of sexual involvement with patients (American Psychiatric Association, 1993; American Psychological Association, 1992; National Association of Social Workers, 1994). Organizations such as the Walk-In Counseling Center of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and self-help groups such as Therapist Exploitation Link Line (TELL) and Boston Association to Stop Therapist Abuse (BASTA) provide much-needed assistance to victims. Members of these groups raise the level of public awareness and understanding of the problem and lobby state legislatures, licensing boards, and pro-KATHERINE C. HASPEL received her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Rhode Island in 1981. She is an adjunct assistant professor of psychology at the University of Rhode Island and is in private practice in Providence. She is also the Chair of the Legislative Committee of the Rhode Island Task Force on Therapist Sexual Misconduct. LINDA MABUS JORGENSON of Spero & Jorgenson, P.C., Cambridge, Mas-• sachusetts, is an attorney experienced in cases involving sexual misconduct by therapists, physicians, attorneys, clergy, and other professionals and has seen over 300 clients who have been sexually exploited. She has also published widely in this area.
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