Joanie V Connors - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Joanie V Connors

The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, Jun 1, 2005

The ability to see interpersonal and group processes beyond the individual level is an essential ... more The ability to see interpersonal and group processes beyond the individual level is an essential skill for group therapists (Crouch, Bloch & Wanlass, 1994; Dies, 1994; Fuhriman & Burlingame, 1994). In addition to interpersonal therapy models (e.g., Sullivan and Yalom), there are a number of systems theory models that offer a broad array of possibilities for developing group practitioner perspectives beyond individual dynamics. This paper will outline the background and conceptual bases for a number of models that now comprise a category called group systems theory. Group systems theory can provide a variety of directions for innovations in group research and practice.

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A compilation of Buddhist terms with definitions from several sources.

... different from individual behavior. Groups of nice children can become cruel to a weaker chil... more ... different from individual behavior. Groups of nice children can become cruel to a weaker child or to an animal. ... As numerous channels of flow move through each individual, this stresses and impacts their energy core, causing vibrations (known in systems as perturbations). ...

The study of human behavior and human problems was mainly concerned with individuals until system... more The study of human behavior and human problems was mainly concerned with individuals until systems theory emerged around sixty years ago. The explosion of interest in systems thinking spurred a flurry of theories and studies about the functioning of families, soon followed by the development of the field of group dynamics. It was not until the 1990's until relationship science took hold and focused scientific inquiry onto how intimate relationships work Together, these relationship centered approaches have tremendously expanded our understanding of how relationships work. This chapter will describe many of the ways that relationship behaviors are explained by systems, especially the more recent developments. This chapter describes a number of systems theories, including general system theory, family systems theory and interpersonal systems theory, as well as the general movement of systems thinking. There are other systems theories, but a discussion of them would take hundreds of pages.

The Journal for Specialists in Group …, Jan 1, 2005

Systems Theory provides a new and expanded way of understanding the psychology of trauma. Systems... more Systems Theory provides a new and expanded way of understanding the psychology of trauma. Systems Theory helps us to see trauma as a nonlinear, holistic dynamic of life that can add to well-being as well as take away from it.

I am still working on this paper, and would love to have suggestions for improvement, as well as possible journals for publishing it!

Trauma has been in the news recently with unremitting media coverage of the tragedies suffered by... more Trauma has been in the news recently with unremitting media coverage of the tragedies suffered by victims of massive floods, earthquakes, and wars. This fascination with victimization appears to be exacerbating public fearfulness as it passes on the stereotype that trauma causes terrible harm.

Desert Exposure, 2010

This is a popular press article I wrote about psychological healing.

Desert Exposure, 2009

The long, painful declines of many relationships have often been described as a descending spiral... more The long, painful declines of many relationships have often been described as a descending spiral, a feeling that a relationship is "going down the drain." This is similar to what many failing couples report - negative interactions come more and more frequently while civility and kindness gradually wane. How can once-loving partners become so intensely obsessed with useless blaming, always focusing on what is wrong with the relationship and each other?

Control struggles are a big part of the news reports we hear about what is going on in our world,... more Control struggles are a big part of the news reports we hear about what is going on in our world, and they are a major part of popular media dramas and music. Whether fictional or nonfictional, every day we are witness to power struggles -for money, sex, resources, information or public attention. We also find control issues in every facet of our lives, including relationship control struggles, parent-child control struggles, workplace struggles, community resource struggles, and struggles with control in our government.

Desert Exposure, 2010

Despite 40+ years of attention to the damage it causes, the harmful cycle of bullying continues u... more Despite 40+ years of attention to the damage it causes, the harmful cycle of bullying continues undiminished and it is no longer limited to boys in schoolyards and alleys. Bullying means to intimidate, humiliate and cause harm to another, usually someone who has less power or ability to defend themselves. We tend to think bullying is simple and wrong-bad people hurting good people and that bullying can be stopped by catching and punishing the bad perpetrators. Bullying has traditionally included physical abuse, psychological abuse, and verbal abuse, but new forms have evolved, including cyber bullying and several forms of sexual harassment. Physical bullying includes physical actions of abuse, including physical violence and threats of physical violence, in addition to chasing, grabbing, tripping, spitting at, stealing from and destroying property. Psychological bullying includes spreading malicious gossip or lies about someone, excluding someone from social connections, or making them do something they don't want to do in order to shame them, show power over them and/or reduce their social standing. Verbal bullying includes intentionally insulting, demeaning, humiliating or offending someone in order to damage their self-esteem or tease them.

Turning the other cheek is a 2000 year old spiritual concept derived from the words of Jesus (in ... more Turning the other cheek is a 2000 year old spiritual concept derived from the words of Jesus (in his Sermon on the Mount) that teaches us not to respond with violence towards those who try to harm us, but instead to respond with tolerance and compassion. Turning the other cheek is a metaphor for not hitting back psychologically or physically when someone hurts us, signifying that when someone strikes one cheek, we offer the other cheek instead of hurting them back.

Overcoming "Us vs. Them" by Joanie V Connors, Ph.D.

Desert Exposure, 2006

Relationship researchers have learned a few things that can help you make better choices and crea... more Relationship researchers have learned a few things that can help you make better choices and create love relationships that will last. The first section of this article concerns new or impending relationships with the aim of providing guidance before making a commitment. The rest of this article applies to relationships at any stage, and hopes to help you clarify the difference between love and the rest of what happens between people.

Desert Exposure, 2009

Change is unavoidable because it is a necessary condition for life. Everything that is alive chan... more Change is unavoidable because it is a necessary condition for life. Everything that is alive changes continuously on every level.Each of us has a threshold of how much change we need and how much we can handle. If we have too little change, we get bored so we seek change and diversity. This paper examines the change process and how to work with it without being overwhelmed.

Desert Exposure, 2010

Anger has 2 faces - one very destructive and one that can benefit relationships if we use it right.

Whatever communication's purpose may be, there are many skills and other factors that determine h... more Whatever communication's purpose may be, there are many skills and other factors that determine how well it accomplishes its goal. The skills involved in the communication process are numerous, but the essential ones include clarity of expression, listening for understanding, and connecting to your audience through trying to understand them. The intentions that motivate communications and barriers that arise in the process are also important factors that often determine the impact of communication.

Desert Exposure, 2012

The image of hungry ghosts can be useful to symbolize the needy and demanding people who frequent... more The image of hungry ghosts can be useful to symbolize the needy and demanding people who frequently play roles in our day to day difficult interactions. Hungry ghosts represent the people we all encounter who demand more than their share of resources and attention and create conflict over minor details. This article provides some guidance to understand and cope with hungry ghosts in your life.

Desert Exposure, 2007

Though inner ghosts are just echoes of past experiences, they can be extremely powerful, and have... more Though inner ghosts are just echoes of past experiences, they can be extremely powerful, and have ruined millions of lives, keeping people in fear and other negative feelings, and controlling their choices in life. This article discusses how to take the power away from inner ghosts.

The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, Jun 1, 2005

The ability to see interpersonal and group processes beyond the individual level is an essential ... more The ability to see interpersonal and group processes beyond the individual level is an essential skill for group therapists (Crouch, Bloch & Wanlass, 1994; Dies, 1994; Fuhriman & Burlingame, 1994). In addition to interpersonal therapy models (e.g., Sullivan and Yalom), there are a number of systems theory models that offer a broad array of possibilities for developing group practitioner perspectives beyond individual dynamics. This paper will outline the background and conceptual bases for a number of models that now comprise a category called group systems theory. Group systems theory can provide a variety of directions for innovations in group research and practice.

none

A compilation of Buddhist terms with definitions from several sources.

... different from individual behavior. Groups of nice children can become cruel to a weaker chil... more ... different from individual behavior. Groups of nice children can become cruel to a weaker child or to an animal. ... As numerous channels of flow move through each individual, this stresses and impacts their energy core, causing vibrations (known in systems as perturbations). ...

The study of human behavior and human problems was mainly concerned with individuals until system... more The study of human behavior and human problems was mainly concerned with individuals until systems theory emerged around sixty years ago. The explosion of interest in systems thinking spurred a flurry of theories and studies about the functioning of families, soon followed by the development of the field of group dynamics. It was not until the 1990's until relationship science took hold and focused scientific inquiry onto how intimate relationships work Together, these relationship centered approaches have tremendously expanded our understanding of how relationships work. This chapter will describe many of the ways that relationship behaviors are explained by systems, especially the more recent developments. This chapter describes a number of systems theories, including general system theory, family systems theory and interpersonal systems theory, as well as the general movement of systems thinking. There are other systems theories, but a discussion of them would take hundreds of pages.

The Journal for Specialists in Group …, Jan 1, 2005

Systems Theory provides a new and expanded way of understanding the psychology of trauma. Systems... more Systems Theory provides a new and expanded way of understanding the psychology of trauma. Systems Theory helps us to see trauma as a nonlinear, holistic dynamic of life that can add to well-being as well as take away from it.

I am still working on this paper, and would love to have suggestions for improvement, as well as possible journals for publishing it!

Trauma has been in the news recently with unremitting media coverage of the tragedies suffered by... more Trauma has been in the news recently with unremitting media coverage of the tragedies suffered by victims of massive floods, earthquakes, and wars. This fascination with victimization appears to be exacerbating public fearfulness as it passes on the stereotype that trauma causes terrible harm.

Desert Exposure, 2010

This is a popular press article I wrote about psychological healing.

Desert Exposure, 2009

The long, painful declines of many relationships have often been described as a descending spiral... more The long, painful declines of many relationships have often been described as a descending spiral, a feeling that a relationship is "going down the drain." This is similar to what many failing couples report - negative interactions come more and more frequently while civility and kindness gradually wane. How can once-loving partners become so intensely obsessed with useless blaming, always focusing on what is wrong with the relationship and each other?

Control struggles are a big part of the news reports we hear about what is going on in our world,... more Control struggles are a big part of the news reports we hear about what is going on in our world, and they are a major part of popular media dramas and music. Whether fictional or nonfictional, every day we are witness to power struggles -for money, sex, resources, information or public attention. We also find control issues in every facet of our lives, including relationship control struggles, parent-child control struggles, workplace struggles, community resource struggles, and struggles with control in our government.

Desert Exposure, 2010

Despite 40+ years of attention to the damage it causes, the harmful cycle of bullying continues u... more Despite 40+ years of attention to the damage it causes, the harmful cycle of bullying continues undiminished and it is no longer limited to boys in schoolyards and alleys. Bullying means to intimidate, humiliate and cause harm to another, usually someone who has less power or ability to defend themselves. We tend to think bullying is simple and wrong-bad people hurting good people and that bullying can be stopped by catching and punishing the bad perpetrators. Bullying has traditionally included physical abuse, psychological abuse, and verbal abuse, but new forms have evolved, including cyber bullying and several forms of sexual harassment. Physical bullying includes physical actions of abuse, including physical violence and threats of physical violence, in addition to chasing, grabbing, tripping, spitting at, stealing from and destroying property. Psychological bullying includes spreading malicious gossip or lies about someone, excluding someone from social connections, or making them do something they don't want to do in order to shame them, show power over them and/or reduce their social standing. Verbal bullying includes intentionally insulting, demeaning, humiliating or offending someone in order to damage their self-esteem or tease them.

Turning the other cheek is a 2000 year old spiritual concept derived from the words of Jesus (in ... more Turning the other cheek is a 2000 year old spiritual concept derived from the words of Jesus (in his Sermon on the Mount) that teaches us not to respond with violence towards those who try to harm us, but instead to respond with tolerance and compassion. Turning the other cheek is a metaphor for not hitting back psychologically or physically when someone hurts us, signifying that when someone strikes one cheek, we offer the other cheek instead of hurting them back.

Overcoming "Us vs. Them" by Joanie V Connors, Ph.D.

Desert Exposure, 2006

Relationship researchers have learned a few things that can help you make better choices and crea... more Relationship researchers have learned a few things that can help you make better choices and create love relationships that will last. The first section of this article concerns new or impending relationships with the aim of providing guidance before making a commitment. The rest of this article applies to relationships at any stage, and hopes to help you clarify the difference between love and the rest of what happens between people.

Desert Exposure, 2009

Change is unavoidable because it is a necessary condition for life. Everything that is alive chan... more Change is unavoidable because it is a necessary condition for life. Everything that is alive changes continuously on every level.Each of us has a threshold of how much change we need and how much we can handle. If we have too little change, we get bored so we seek change and diversity. This paper examines the change process and how to work with it without being overwhelmed.

Desert Exposure, 2010

Anger has 2 faces - one very destructive and one that can benefit relationships if we use it right.

Whatever communication's purpose may be, there are many skills and other factors that determine h... more Whatever communication's purpose may be, there are many skills and other factors that determine how well it accomplishes its goal. The skills involved in the communication process are numerous, but the essential ones include clarity of expression, listening for understanding, and connecting to your audience through trying to understand them. The intentions that motivate communications and barriers that arise in the process are also important factors that often determine the impact of communication.

Desert Exposure, 2012

The image of hungry ghosts can be useful to symbolize the needy and demanding people who frequent... more The image of hungry ghosts can be useful to symbolize the needy and demanding people who frequently play roles in our day to day difficult interactions. Hungry ghosts represent the people we all encounter who demand more than their share of resources and attention and create conflict over minor details. This article provides some guidance to understand and cope with hungry ghosts in your life.

Desert Exposure, 2007

Though inner ghosts are just echoes of past experiences, they can be extremely powerful, and have... more Though inner ghosts are just echoes of past experiences, they can be extremely powerful, and have ruined millions of lives, keeping people in fear and other negative feelings, and controlling their choices in life. This article discusses how to take the power away from inner ghosts.

Compiled, updated glossaries from 20 years of teaching social sciences classes.

I developed this glossary for a class that never came about. It covers a great deal of Buddhist t... more I developed this glossary for a class that never came about. It covers a great deal of Buddhist teachings.

In my career as an academic, I created 3 peace studies' classes, on peace ethics, the sociology o... more In my career as an academic, I created 3 peace studies' classes, on peace ethics, the sociology of peace, and interpersonal peacemaking. Here I have combined the glossaries of these 3 classes.

Poems designed for those in recovery from grief and/or trauma. These are taken from my book 'Poem... more Poems designed for those in recovery from grief and/or trauma. These are taken from my book 'Poems on the Road to Love'.