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Biomedical subjects

D J Kiesler

Publications and source records attributed to D J Kiesler.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

From communications to interpersonal theory: a personal odyssey.

This contribution to the special issue reviews my theoretical and research journey into contemporary interpersonal theory and research. A seminal period involved conceptualization of a "communications" approach to psychotherapy and culminated in development of the Impact Message Inventory (IMI). Generation of the IMI necessitated immersion within the interpersonal circumplex measurement tradition and resulted in an "interpersonal communication" theory, combining concepts from both traditions, which appeared initially in the Handbook of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (Anchin & Kiesler, 1982). Subsequent research has concentrated on circumplex refinement of both the IMI and a second inventory, the Check List of Interpersonal Transactions, which was derived directly from the Interpersonal Circle. A continuing theme is the notion that precise and replicable tests of contemporary interpersonal theory, especially of interpersonal complementarity, require circle inventories that possess ideal psychometric and circumplex properties.

Communication↗
PubMed1995

Assessing the interpersonal transaction cycle: convergence of action and reaction interpersonal circumplex measures.

Contemporary interpersonal theory uses 2 models to represent the process and content of interpersonal transactions. The interpersonal transaction cycle is a dynamic model demonstrating the interaction between the overt behaviors and the covert intrapsychic experiences of 2 interacting individuals in action-reaction event chains. The interpersonal circle is a static model codifying individual differences across various interpersonal content domains (e.g., traits, acts, problems, impacts). The present study used 150 pairs of undergraduates to demonstrate cross-observer structural convergence of 2 separate interpersonal circumplex inventories measuring the "action" and "reaction" components of the transaction cycle, providing evidence that both components of the cycle can be captured by existing circumplex measures, and allowing researchers to proceed on to more comprehensive tests of interpersonal theory.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Transactional escalation in rigidity and intensity of interpersonal behaviour under stress.

The present study provides empirical support for a new interpersonal concept of transactional escalation. This proposition hypothesizes that an individual's typical pattern of interpersonal behaviour will become more extreme and rigid under stressful interpersonal conditions. Thirty Caucasian females participated in brief interviews that had two stages: low-stress and high-stress conditions. The half of the subjects who were assigned to a high-stress interview condition were predicted to show an escalation of their typical friendly-submissive patterns during the second half of the interview. Findings revealed that escalation was evidenced by an increase in the extremeness and rigidity of their interpersonal behaviour. Implications for interpersonal theory, and for diagnostic and psychotherapy endeavours are discussed and directions for future research are provided.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Interpersonal behavior profiles of eight cases of DSM-III personality disorder.

The present study used ratings of patients' interpersonal behaviors by groups of clinical trainees and undergraduates to test a priori classifications of DSM-III personality disorders onto the 1982 Interpersonal Circle. A sample of 8 videotaped personality disorder patient interviews were obtained from two psychiatric training tape series. A panel of 10 diagnosticians provided independent checks on the diagnosis assigned to the 8 patients by the training series and also rated the degree of prototypicality each case exhibited. Interpersonal characterizations of the interview behavior of the 8 patients were obtained from ratings of the tapes by undergraduate and clinical trainee observers. Findings revealed that interpersonal inventory ratings significantly differentiated the overt interpersonal behavior of the 8 patients, although the obtained interpersonal profiles appeared more complex and subtle than previous interpersonal translations suggest.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

An interpersonal communication analysis of relationship in psychotherapy.

In psychotherapy theorty, research, and practice, relationship has remained a controversial and elusive construct. Psychoanalytic theorists highlight transference-countertransference factors as central theoretical and technical components, but have yet to translate these constructs into a scientifically useful format. Rogerian theorists have consistently specified the relationship factors of positive regard, empathy, and congruence as "necessary and sufficient conditions" for constructive personality change in therapy and have evolved operational anchorings (e.g. Rogers, Gendlin, Kiesler, and Truax, 1967). Behaviorists (e.g., Wilson and Evans, 1978) conceptualize relationship factors as nonspecific variables which are important in enhancing the social influence and eliciting power of the therapist as an agent of change, while considering most client emotional responses toward the therapist as random factors which are generally irrelevant to the therapeutic process. My purpose in this paper is to offer a conceptual and empirical analysis of relationship in human behavior and in psychotherapy from an interpersonal communication perspective.

Communication↗