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PLENARY SESSION

Robert Neimeyer, University of Memphis; Lara Honos-Webb, Santa Clara University; and Jonathan Raskin, SUNY at New Paltz
The September 11 Attacks: Does Constructivism Have Anything to Offer?

In light of the September 11 attacks, what does constructivist psychology have to offer? This symposium examines this issue. First, Robert Neimeyer summarizes constructivist ideas in the area of grief theory in discussing how therapists might be of assistance to people trying to make meaning out of the attacks. Then, Lara Honos-Webb and her colleagues present their research findings on the effects of narrative journal writing on helping people cope with September 11. Finally, Jonathan Raskin examines whether, as several prominent scholars have argued in the aftermath of September 11, constructivist and postmodern theories are partly to blame for attacks.

Chair and Discussant: Kenneth Sewell, University of North Texas

Paper 1:
Robert Neimeyer, University of Memphis
Traumatic Loss and the Quest for Meaning

Profound loss, particularly of a traumatic kind, disrupts the constructions of meaning on which survivors previously depended, and introduces a profound rupture into the life-narratives that they must now live. Drawing on cutting edge developments in grief theory, I will present some concepts and findings that argue that the attempt to reconstruct a world of meaning is at the core of our response as traumatically bereaved persons, and venture a few ideas as to how clinicians can assist people with the process of narrative repair in constructivist psychotherapy.

Paper 2:
Lara Honos-Webb, Sunwolf, Sadie Ashraf, Doreen Diego, Prajakta Godbole, Christina Irving, Karen Karas-Lekashman, Melinda Manley, Ronika Prakash, and Juliana Scalise, Santa Clara University
The Psychological Impact of the Terrorist Attacks on the United States

This study investigated the level of trauma symptoms in 70 undergraduate students at a University on the west coast following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Additionally, physical health complaints were measured using self-report methods and health service utilization. After obtaining baseline data, participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: a journal writing condition or a story-listening condition. We predicted that participants in the journal writing condition would report reduced trauma symptoms after four days of journal writing. Theoretically, writing exercises facilitate emotional expression and meaning-making, thereby reducing trauma symptoms such as intrusive imagery.

Paper 3:
Jonathan Raskin, State University of New York at New Paltz
Are Constructivists to Blame for September 11? No!

Constructivist psychology, to the degree it is identified with postmodernism, is routinely attacked for advocating relativism. The significance of this criticism has been heightened following the September 11 attacks, as some people have blamed postmodern relativism for encouraging the attacks. Such criticisms of constructivism are examined and judged generally unwarranted. A constructivist position does not require abandoning ethical commitments or adopting an anything-goes attitude. Rather, it simply asserts that all viewpoints are positioned relative to particular ethical frameworks that guide those utilizing them. This paper develops the implications of this position, especially in light of the September 11 attacks.

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