Efficacious crying: Theory and research.
Item
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Title
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Efficacious crying: Theory and research.
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Identifier
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AAI9218282
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identifier
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9218282
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Creator
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Tomasso, Patricia J.
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Contributor
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Adviser: I. H. Paul
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Date
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1992
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Clinical
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Abstract
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In this study, I introduce the concept of Efficacious Crying, a form of crying which is done willingly by persons who value its effectiveness in helping them to feel better. This concept is based on a dual model of crying as adaptive regression (an ego model), and as self-soothing (a superego model)--a model which assumes, but goes beyond, the traditional view of crying as catharsis (an id or drive-discharge model). Efficacious Crying is thus viewed as both an ego and a superego function in the service of restoring emotional equilibrium.;My hypotheses concern the process of Efficacious Crying: In the period preceding a crying episode, the person feels bombarded by negative, self-referential thoughts and feelings, and a regressive process ensues in which normal ego functioning temporarily declines and the crying episode is allowed to take place. While crying, the person has an inner experience of acting benevolently towards herself by way of soothing thoughts, images and behavior, and she is aware of experiencing herself as both the soother and the one soothed. After crying, the person derives re-integrative, restorative benefits from the adaptive regressive and self-soothing experiences of crying.;Using a case study approach, I undertook extensive individual interviews with eight women who cry with some frequency and value their crying as beneficial. Through interview questions, follow-up questionnaires and journals of subsequent crying episodes, I explored the thoughts, feelings, images, and behavior which typically precede, accompany and follow their crying episodes. The data generally supported the hypothesized process of Efficacious Crying.;While Efficacious Crying is a specific type of crying episode, it is not necessarily exclusive to a specific type of crier. Most likely, it is a fairly universal, if less frequent, experience for many criers. Topics for further research could include comparing Efficacious Crying with other forms of crying, for example, "tears of joy", "movie crying", and "communicative crying".
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
