Work Theodore R. Sarbin

1 work

1.1 role theory
1.2 criminology
1.3 psychopathology
1.4 hypnotic susceptibility scales
1.5 social role theory of hypnosis
1.6 narrative psychology
1.7 report on homosexuality

work
role theory

sarbin became known mr. role theory because of seminal contributions , publications in field of social psychology, relating role-taking. roles socially constructed , can used explain range of human behaviours including acting, shamanic possession, criminality, psychopathology, , hypnosis. sarbin emphasised difference between role-playing , role-taking, latter being characterised greater degree of subjective involvement or identification role , belief in it.

criminology

sarbin s doctoral research used data gathered @ university of minnesota examine relative accuracy of statistical versus clinical prediction academic achievement of undergraduates. young man sarbin temporarily rode rails hobo, , felt experience helped him understand people excluded mainstream of society.

psychopathology

sarbin particularly interested in social psychology of psychopathology , argued mental illness understood in terms of social constructs such moral disapproval of behavior in question.

hypnotic susceptibility scales

in 1930s, sarbin collaborated on research on measurement of hypnotic depth. in 1938, friedlander , sarbin introduced composite scale based on variety of responses suggestion, , employing standardised, scripted routine. work built upon earlier attempts davis & husband (1931), barry, mackinnon & murray (1931), , clark l. hull (1933). instead of merely attempting attribute hypnosis on basis of “spontaneous” signs, these scales deliver scripted suggestions , rate subject’s response each item on scale, e.g., score given based on how long took before subject’s eyes closed in response suggestions of lid heaviness, etc. friedlander-sarbin scale replicated based upon script provided, , norms collated different samples. tests employed were, eye-closure, eyelid catalepsy, arm immobilisation, arm rigidity, finger lock, verbal inhibition (unable own name), post-hypnotic hallucination of voice, , post-hypnotic amnesia.

the friedlander-sarbin scale contained great many of elements become central influential stanford hypnotic susceptibility scales (shss) in 1960s.

social role theory of hypnosis

sarbin subsequently became , influential critic of special state theory of hypnosis, interprets hypnotic responses result of unique altered (abnormal) state of consciousness. in seminal article on hypnotism, personality psychologist robert white, had argued hypnotic subjects actively trying enact socially constructed role.

hypnotic behavior meaningful, goal-directed striving, general goal being behave hypnotised person continuously defined operator , understood client.

following white s radical interpretation of hypnosis, sarbin used concepts own role theory, empirical research data, , analogies other socially constructed roles, argue in more rigorous manner hypnotic subjects not in special state of consciousness better understood identifying unusual social role.

sarbin s views on hypnosis detailed in number of journal articles before being reviewed in more depth in book hypnosis: social psychological analysis of influence communication (1971), co-authored william c. coe. coe had received doctorate, dissertation on hypnosis, under sarbin while sarbin @ university of california @ berkeley. (sarbin , coe became collaborators on role theory model of hypnosis throughout coe s life.) sarbin s role theory model of hypnotism became important influence on subsequent nonstate , cognitive-behavioral theories of hypnosis.

narrative psychology

from around 1985 onward, sarbin became focused on subject of narrative psychology, field in recognised pioneer. adopted method based upon primacy of stories way of understanding human behavior in preference constraints of traditional psychological research paradigms.

report on homosexuality

sarbin became known 1988 report critical of u.s. military policies regarding homosexuals. “gays in uniform,” found no proof assumption homosexuals posed greater security risks heterosexuals nor idea homosexual soldiers disrupt military life.