Psychological Concepts and Dissociative Disorders

This book is based on a symposium that was inspired by the late Donald O. Hebb who, in his latter years while an Honorary Professor in the Department of Psychology at Dalhousie University, became very interested in the phenomenon of multiple personality and other dissociative states. Hebb was troubled by the lack of understanding of dissociative behavior and, through his discussions with basic science and clinical colleagues in psychology and psychiatry, he became convinced that the subject would be a figurative gold mine for psychological theory and experimentation. The purpose of the symposium was to bring together clinical and research scientists with an interest and expertise in dissociative phenomena such as multiple personality disorder, hysteria and hypnosis. This group would exchange ideas and findings, discuss theory, and lay the groundwork for an interdisciplinary research program into dissociative phenomena generally, and more specifically into multiple personality disorder and its principal precipitating factor -- physical and sexual abuse in children.

Raymond M. Klein, Benjamin K. Doane

Contents: R.M. Klein, B.K. Doane, J. Curtis, Introduction: Demystifying Dissociative Phenomena. Part I:Clinical Analysis. R.P. Kluft, Multiple Personality Disorder: Observations on the Etiology, Natural History, Recognition, and Resolution of a Long-Disregarded Condition. B.D. Doan, S.E. Bryson, Etiological and Maintaining Factors in Multiple Personality Disorder: A Critical Review. J. Barresi, Morton Prince and B.C.A.: A Historical Footnote on the Confrontation Between Dissociation Theory and Freudian Psychology in a Case of Multiple Personality. G.A. Fraser, Dissociative Phenomena and Disorders: Clinical Presentations. Part II:Psychological Concepts. K.S. Bowers, Three Levels of Consciousness: Implications for Dissociation. C. Szostak, R. Lister, M. Eckardt, H. Weingartner, Dissociative Effects of Mood on Memory. G. Bower, Temporary Emotional States Act Like Multiple Personalities. Part III:Scientific Analysis. P. Flor-Henry, Cerebral Aspects of Hysteria and Multiple Personality. M.J. Nissen, J.L. Ross, D.B. Willingham, T.B. Mackenzie, D.L. Schacter, Evaluating Amnesia in Multiple Personality Disorder. F.W. Putnam, The Switch Process in Multiple Personality Disorder and Other State-Change Disorders. Part IV:Round Table Discussion. Prospects for a Psychology of Dissociation: A Round-Table Discussion.