Jeffrey Last - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Jeffrey Last

Research paper thumbnail of Earliest childhood memories: four theoretical perspectives

Journal of personality assessment, 1982

Four separate lines of thought relevant to a theory of early memories (EMs) have appeared in the ... more Four separate lines of thought relevant to a theory of early memories (EMs) have appeared in the literature--Freud's, Adler's, an ego psychology view and one adapted from memory theory, Each view was presented in turn and discussed in terms of its implications for assessment and treatment. It was pointed out that none of these four theories addresses several issues relevant to the individual who plans to do research with EMs.

Research paper thumbnail of The Psychodiagnostic Value of Children's Earliest Memories

Journal of Personality Assessment, 1983

Examined the early memories of 94 boys, aged 8 through 11, with varying levels of psychopathology... more Examined the early memories of 94 boys, aged 8 through 11, with varying levels of psychopathology. Via a newly developed early memory scoring system, subjects were classified according to degree of presenting psychopathology at a highly significant level. The scoring system classifications were also more accurate than those made by experienced clinicians. The importance of scoring system structural variables in making adjustment/maladjustment decisions was emphasized.

Research paper thumbnail of Transitional relatedness and psychotherapeutic growth

Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 1988

... A turning point in the Calator saga came when a new character, The Assassin, appeared on the ... more ... A turning point in the Calator saga came when a new character, The Assassin, appeared on the scene. The Assassin was the ultimate ninja who used stealth to battle the mighty Calator. The Assassin was the first character able to challenge Calator effectively. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Distinguishing Child Diagnostic types with Early Memories

Journal of Personality Assessment, 1985

The present study attempts to correct design weaknesses in earlier studies which assessed the use... more The present study attempts to correct design weaknesses in earlier studies which assessed the use of early memories (EMs) in identifying psychopathology in children. A new EM scoring system, the CEMSS, was developed to provide an objective, comprehensive analysis of the reported EMs. Subjects were 64 boys, SES IV and V, 8 through 12 years old from four diagnostic groups--Delinquent, Hyperactive, Somatic Complaints, and Schizoid. Overall, the CEMSS provided an effective means to distinguish the diagnostic groups, p less than or equal to .01. The results suggest that content variables best distinguished the type of presenting psychopathology, whereas an earlier study found that structural EM variables most reliably identified the degree of psychopathology.

Research paper thumbnail of The clinical utilization of early childhood memories

American journal of psychotherapy, 1997

Early childhood memories (EMs) are discussed as an individual's unique psychological product,... more Early childhood memories (EMs) are discussed as an individual's unique psychological product, capable of revealing basic fantasies around which the individual's character structure is organized. Major theoretical approaches to understanding EMs are surveyed including early Freudian, Adlerian, and Ego Psychological. The more recent Cognitive-Perceptual perspective is also discussed. As EMs are viewed as a projective technique, methods of retrieval and interpretation are described. Case material is presented to demonstrate the utilization of EMs in the course of psychotherapy. In the early phase of therapy, EMs are shown to be of use in establishing therapeutic focus and elucidating dynamic patterns. Within the process of therapy, illustrations are given to demonstrate the use of EMs as an interpretive aid and as a means of monitoring therapeutic change.

Research paper thumbnail of Earliest childhood memories: four theoretical perspectives

Journal of personality assessment, 1982

Four separate lines of thought relevant to a theory of early memories (EMs) have appeared in the ... more Four separate lines of thought relevant to a theory of early memories (EMs) have appeared in the literature--Freud's, Adler's, an ego psychology view and one adapted from memory theory, Each view was presented in turn and discussed in terms of its implications for assessment and treatment. It was pointed out that none of these four theories addresses several issues relevant to the individual who plans to do research with EMs.

Research paper thumbnail of The Psychodiagnostic Value of Children's Earliest Memories

Journal of Personality Assessment, 1983

Examined the early memories of 94 boys, aged 8 through 11, with varying levels of psychopathology... more Examined the early memories of 94 boys, aged 8 through 11, with varying levels of psychopathology. Via a newly developed early memory scoring system, subjects were classified according to degree of presenting psychopathology at a highly significant level. The scoring system classifications were also more accurate than those made by experienced clinicians. The importance of scoring system structural variables in making adjustment/maladjustment decisions was emphasized.

Research paper thumbnail of Transitional relatedness and psychotherapeutic growth

Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 1988

... A turning point in the Calator saga came when a new character, The Assassin, appeared on the ... more ... A turning point in the Calator saga came when a new character, The Assassin, appeared on the scene. The Assassin was the ultimate ninja who used stealth to battle the mighty Calator. The Assassin was the first character able to challenge Calator effectively. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Distinguishing Child Diagnostic types with Early Memories

Journal of Personality Assessment, 1985

The present study attempts to correct design weaknesses in earlier studies which assessed the use... more The present study attempts to correct design weaknesses in earlier studies which assessed the use of early memories (EMs) in identifying psychopathology in children. A new EM scoring system, the CEMSS, was developed to provide an objective, comprehensive analysis of the reported EMs. Subjects were 64 boys, SES IV and V, 8 through 12 years old from four diagnostic groups--Delinquent, Hyperactive, Somatic Complaints, and Schizoid. Overall, the CEMSS provided an effective means to distinguish the diagnostic groups, p less than or equal to .01. The results suggest that content variables best distinguished the type of presenting psychopathology, whereas an earlier study found that structural EM variables most reliably identified the degree of psychopathology.

Research paper thumbnail of The clinical utilization of early childhood memories

American journal of psychotherapy, 1997

Early childhood memories (EMs) are discussed as an individual's unique psychological product,... more Early childhood memories (EMs) are discussed as an individual's unique psychological product, capable of revealing basic fantasies around which the individual's character structure is organized. Major theoretical approaches to understanding EMs are surveyed including early Freudian, Adlerian, and Ego Psychological. The more recent Cognitive-Perceptual perspective is also discussed. As EMs are viewed as a projective technique, methods of retrieval and interpretation are described. Case material is presented to demonstrate the utilization of EMs in the course of psychotherapy. In the early phase of therapy, EMs are shown to be of use in establishing therapeutic focus and elucidating dynamic patterns. Within the process of therapy, illustrations are given to demonstrate the use of EMs as an interpretive aid and as a means of monitoring therapeutic change.