MICHAEL BASSECHES, PH.D.
RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP:
My research and scholarship have dealt with late adolescent and adult cognitive development, social development, and ego development, with emphases on higher education, the workplace, psychotherapy, and supervision of psychotherapy, as contexts for development. This work has been the basis of presentations at local, national and international conferences and for the following publications:
BOOK
Basseches, M. Dialectical Thinking and Adult Development. Norwood, N.J.: Ablex, 1984
ARTICLES, CHAPTERS, AND REPORTS
Basseches, M. The Development of Dialectical Thinking as an Approach to Integration. Integral Review: A Transdisciplinary and Transcultural Journal for New Thought, Research, and Praxis Issue 1, 2005
Basseches, M. Adult Development and the Practice of Psychotherapy. In J. Demick and C. Andreoletti (Eds.) The Handbook of Adult Development. Plenum Press, 2003
Sankowsky, D. and M. Basseches. The Primal Institute: A Case Study of Theoretical Abuse by Psychotherapists (Under review by the Journal of Adult Development)
Basseches, M. A Safe Place for Not Knowing. In P. Senge, A. Kleiner, C. Roberts, R. Ross, G. Roth and B. Smith (Eds.) The Dance of Change, Doubleday, 1999
Phillips, A., M. Basseches, and A. Lipson. Meetings: A Swampy Terrain for Adult Development. Journal of Adult Development. 5(2) pp. 85-104, 1998
Basseches, M. A Developmental Perspective on Psychotherapy Process, Psychotherapists’ Expertise, and “Meaning-Making Conflict” Within Therapeutic Relationships: A Two Part Series. Journal of Adult Development. 4(1) pp.17-34, 1997.
Basseches, M. A Developmental Perspective on Psychotherapy Process, Psychotherapists’ Expertise, and “Meaning-Making Conflict” Within Therapeutic Relationships: Part II: Dialectical Thinking and Psychotherapeutic Expertise: Implications for Training Therapists and Protecting Clients from “Theoretical Abuse”. Journal of Adult Development. 4(2) pp. 85-106, 1997.
Phillips, A., A. Lipson, and M. Basseches. Empathy and Listening Skills: Developmental Perspectives on Learning to Listen. In J.D. Sinnott (ed.) Handbook of Adult Lifespan Learning. Westport, CT.: Greenwood, 1994.
Maciuika, L., M. Basseches, and A. Lipson. Exploring Adult Learning from Learners' Perspectives. In J.D. Sinnott (ed.) Handbook of Adult Lifespan Learning. Westport, CT.: Greenwood, 1994.
Basseches, M. Commentary on "The Development of Dynamic System Reasoning". Human Development, 35(3), pp.142-145, 1992.
---- Toward a Constructive-Developmental Understanding of the Dialectics of Individuality and Irrationality. In Kramer, D.A. and M.J. Bopp (eds.), Transformation in Clinical and Developmental Psychology. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1989.
Basseches, M. Intellectual Development: The Development of Dialectical Thinking. In Maimon, E., B. Nadine and F. O'Connor, (eds.), Thinking, Reasoning and Writing. New York: Longman, 1989.
Basseches, M. Comments on Irwin and Kramer: A Clarification of the Concept of Dialectical Thinking as an Organized Whole. In Commons, M.L., J.D. Sinnott, F.A. Richards, and C. Armon (eds.) Adult Development. Volume I: Comparisons and Applications of Developmental Models. New York: Praeger, 1989.
Benack, S. and M. Basseches. Dialectical Thinking and Relativistic Epistemology: Their Relation in Adult Development. In Commons, M.L., J.D. Sinnott, F.A. Richards, and C. Armon (eds.) Adult Development. Volume I: Comparisons and Applications of Developmental Models. New York: Praeger, 1989.
Benack, S., M. Basseches and T. Swan. Dialectical Thinking and Adult Creativity. In G.A. Glover, R.R. Ronning, and C.R. Reynolds (eds.) Handbook of Creativity. New York: Plenum, 1989.
Basseches, M. Comments on Social Cognition in Adulthood: A Dialectical Perspective. Educational Gerontology, 12 (4),pp. 327-334, l986.
---- Cognitive-Structural Development and the Conditions of Employment. Human Development, 29(2), pp. 101-112, l986.
---- Dialectical Thinking and Young Adult Cognitive Development. In Mines, R.A. and K.S. Kitchener (eds.), Adult Cognitive Development: Methods and Models. New York: Praeger, l986.
Basseches, M. and J. Kalinowski. Empirical and Value Problems in a Theory of Adult Developmental Tasks: A Review of D.J. Levinson, C.N. Darrow, E.B.Klein, M.H. Levinson, and B. McKee, Seasons of a Man's Life. New Ideas in Psychology, 2(3), pp. 269-279, l985.
Hamilton, S.F., M. Basseches, and F.A. Richards. Participatory-Democratic Work and Adolescents' Mental Health. American Journal of Community Psychology, XIII (4), pp. 463-482, l985.
Basseches, M. Dialectical Thinking as a Meta-Systematic Form of Cognitive Organization. In Beyond Formal Operations: Late Adolescent and Adult Cognitive Development (M.L. Commons, F.A. Richards, and C. Armon, eds.), New York, Praeger, l983.
---- Adolescence. In Blackwell's Encyclopedic Dictionary of Psychology, London: Basil Blackwell, l983.
---- Emancipatory Knowledge. In Blackwell's Encyclopedic Dictionary of Psychology, London: Basil Blackwell, l983.
---- The Radical Psychoanalyst: Dialectics of Praxis and Desire (review of The Age of Desire by Joel Kovel). PsychCritique, Winter, 1983, no. 3.
---- The Changing Nature of the Workplace. Human Ecology Forum, Volume 13, no. 3, l983.
Basseches, M., S.F. Hamilton and F.A. Richards. Camden Microventure: An Evaluation of Participant Psychological Development and Comparative Study of Work Groups as Contexts for Development. Report to Neighborhood Center, Inc. of Utica New York, l981.
Basseches, M. Dialectical Schemata: A Framework for the Empirical Study of the Development of Dialectical Thinking. Human Development, 23, pp.400-421, l980.
Gergen, K.J. and M. Basseches. The Potentiation of Social Knowledge. In Advances in Applied Social Psychology, Volume I: Conceptual and Practical Problems (R.F. Kidd and N. Saks, eds.), Hillsdale, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1980.
Basseches, M. The Blind Side of Sociotechnical Analysis. Human Ecology Forum. Volume 10, No. 3, l980.
RECENT PRESENTATIONS (1990-2004)
Symposium Discussant: "The Acquisition of Expertise in Counseling and Psychotherapy: Implications for Supervision." 98th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association. Boston, August 11, 1990.
"Clinicians' Constructions of Our Own Expertise." Developmental Perspectives on Clinical Practice Institute. Harvard University, June 27, 1991.
"Research Using the Dialectical Schemata Framework: A Conversation Hour" (with Michael Bopp, Wendy H. LeDoux, Ron Irwin and Francis A. Richards). Sixth Adult Development Symposium. Suffolk University, July 12, 1991.
"Dialectical Perspectives on Psychotherapy and Human Growth: A Roundtable" (with Deirdre A. Kramer and Jan D. Sinnott). Sixth Adult Development Symposium. Suffolk University, July 14, 1991.
"The Value of Disequilibrium in the Therapeutic Relationship: Clinical Implications of Dialectical Thinking." Colloquium at The Clinical-Developmental Institute, Belmont, MA, February 25, 1992.
"Development as the Aim of Higher Education?: A Critical Encounter with Developmental Theory." Workshop conducted at Bringing the World into the Classroom?: The 23rd National Institute on Issues in Teaching and Learning. The University of Chicago, June 11, 1993.
"Dialectical Thinking as Critical Thinking: Research and Student Assessment Applications of the Dialectical Schemata Framework." Workshop conducted at Bringing the World into the Classroom?: The 23rd National Institute on Issues in Teaching and Learning. The University of Chicago, June 12, 1993.
"Empathy and Listening Skills: A Developmental Perspective on Learning to Listen" (with Ariel Phillips and Abigail Lipson). Eighth Adult Development Symposium. University of Massachusetts, Amherst, June 26, 1993.
"Dialectically Thinking Through Difference: Teaching Practices and Student Diversity". Workshop conducted at Thinking Through Difference: Teaching Practices and Student Diversity: The 24th National Institute on Issues in Teaching and Learning. The University of Chicago, November 19, 1993.
"Transcending the Split between Intellectual Development and Personal Development: Implications for Students, Teachers, Counselors and Institutions." Adult Learners: Developmental Issues and Challenges Institute. Harvard University, June 29, 1994.
"Using the Dialectical Schemata Framework to Recognize and Analyze Dialectical Thinking." The Sixth International Conference on Thinking. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, July 18, 1994.
"Designing a Developmental Leadership Simulation: New Modes of Thought for Managers in Evolving Organizations" (with Chuck Palus). The Sixth International Conference on Thinking. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, July 18, 1994.
"Constituent Aspects of Expertise in Psychotherapy". Roundtable on Expertise in Psychotherapy. Symposium of the Society for Research in Adult Development. Concordia University, Montreal, Canada, June 17, 1995.
“Meetings: A Swampy Terrain for Adult Development” (with Ariel Phillips). Workshop at Symposium of the Society for Research in Adult Development.” Boston, MA. June 28, 1996
“Adult Learning in the Context of Family Education”. Presentation at Jewish Family Educator Training Institute. New York, NY. March 13, 1997
“Helping the Helpers: Taking Stock of Challenges, Opportunities and Support Systems” (with Ariel Phillips). Workshop at Collaborative for Integrated School Services. Harvard Graduate School of Education. Cambridge, MA. May 20, 1997
“Development as the Aim of Higher Education: Implications for Adult Learners.” Keynote Address at National Faculty Convention. Concordia University School of Adult Education. Mequon, WI. May 30,1997
“Personal Journeys.” Respondent to Panel at On Adult Jewish Learning: A Symposium for and about Adult Learners. Hebrew College, Brookline, MA. June 4, 1997
“Developmental Perspectives on Psychotherapy Process, Psychotherapists’ Expertise, and 'Meaning-Making Conflict' Within Therapeutic Relationships." Focus Group at Symposium of the Society for Research in Adult Development. Children’s Hospital. Boston, MA. June 27, 1997
“Stepping In, Stepping Out: Back and Forth between Self-Reliance and Interdependence” (with B. Krieger). Invited Presentation to the Annual Conference of the Danforth Associates of New England. Craigville, MA. September 26, 1998
“Bridging the Gap: Students and Teachers Working Together in Dialogue” (with P. Saint-Amand and B. Krieger). 8th Annual Conference of the Institute for Post-Secondary Pedagogy. State University of New York, New Paltz, NY. November 19, 1998
“ Doctoral Training in Clinical-Developmental Psychology.” Presentation at monthly Fellows’ meeting of The Clinical-Developmental Institute, Belmont, MA. January, 1999
“Bridging the Gap: Students and Teachers in Epistemological Transition” (with B. Krieger, P. Saint-Amand and H. Tinberg). Symposium presented at the National Conference on College Composition and Communication. Atlanta, GA. March, 1999.
“Integral Myth, Mirth, Meditation and More” (with H. Rapp and A. Egendorf). Workshop presented at the 15th International Conference of the Society for Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration. Miami, FL. April 23, 1999
“A Dialectical-Constructivist Perspective on Psychotherapeutic Success and Failure.” Paper presented at the 15th International Conference of the Society for Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration. Miami, FL. April 25, 1999
“Therapeutic Processes and Psychotherapy Failures: A Dialectical-Constructivist Perspective.” Paper presented at the New Directions in Psychotherapy theme session. Conference on Social Construction and Relational Practices. University of New Hampshire, September 17, 1999
“Development of Self-representation through Co-regulated Dialogue: An
Intersystemic Activity Perspective. “ (with M.F. Mascolo, L. McCullough, and G.
Sorensen). Paper presented at the First International Conference on The
Dialogical Self, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, June, 2000
“A Tale of Two Stories: Microdevelopmental Transformations in Self within Psychotherapy” (with M.F. Mascolo and L. McCullough). Paper presented at Constructivist Psychology at the Millennium: Future Directions in Research and Practice (Ninth Biennial Conference of the North American Personal Construct Network). SUNY at New Paltz, NY, July, 2000
“Dynamic Construction of Selves in Psychotherapy: An Intersystemic Activity
Approach.”( with M.F. Mascolo, M.F., L. McCullough, and G. Sorensen).. Paper
presented at Symposium at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological
Association entitled Melding Constructivist and Complexity Approaches in
Psychotherapy-Dynamically
Recreating Selves
Washington, D.C., August 2000
“Values in Higher Education: Developmental and Epistemological Perspectives.” Invited workshop presented to the Millenial Symposium of the Danforth Associates of New England, Craigville, MA, September, 2000.
“A Developmental, “Common Factors” Conceptualization of Psychotherapeutic Success and Failure”. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Psychological Association. Boston, MA. November 1, 2000
“Common Factors and Assimilative Integration: An Exploration of Complementarity in Understanding what Works in Psychotherapy.” Chair and Presenter for Symposium to be presented at the annual meeting of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration. Santiago, Chile, June 15, 2001
“Epistemology, Psychotherapy and Psychotherapy Integration: It’s not the Theory that We Hold, It’s How We Hold the Theory”. Presentation at Symposium entiled “From ‘Schoolist’ to Dialectical-Dialogical Paradigms in Psychotherapy and Psychotherapy Integration.” Annual Meeting of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration, San Francisco, CA. May 3, 2002
“Embodied Abstractions: Metaphor as a Mediator of the Development of Conceptions of Self and Other in Psychotherapy” ( with M. F. Mascolo). Presentation at Symposium on Embodying Models of Human Development: Bodily, Contextual and Experiential Mediators of Meaning. At The Embodied Mind and Consciousness: Developmental Perspectives. 32nd Annual Meeting of The Jean Piaget Society. Philadelphia, PA, June 6, 2002
"Researching Common Factors in one's own Psychotherapy Practice." Research consultation at XIX Congress, Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration, New York, NY May 2003
"Modeling Microdevelopmental Movements and Coding Therapists’ Contributions to Clients’ Development: An Approach to “Common Factors” in Therapeutic Effectiveness." Workshop presented at XX Congress, Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration. What Makes a Good Psychotherapist? Amsterdam, The Netherlands, June 25, 2004
"Tracking Clients' Development in Psychotherapy: A Common Factors Coding System" (with M.F. Mascolo, T.Q. Peters and D.J. Richard). Presented at the 112th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association at Honolulu, Hawaii, July 2004, July 28, 2004,