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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Twinleaf on April 7, 2012, at 19:45:43
It has been striking me in recent months that Dr. Bob's. current way of interacting with the board - brief periods of interaction followed by longer periods of absence - amounts to an experience of intermittently reinforcing the message that he is no longer steadily and reliably here. I think this is having the effect of diminishing the amount and frequency of posting. In trauma situations, intermittent, rather than continuous reinforcement, has a much stronger effect on continuing the negative effects of the original trauma. I believe it is the same in this situation; the trauma for us is abandonment by Dr. Bob, , and the effects of this on us are made more severe by brief reappearances.
Posted by SLS on April 8, 2012, at 7:04:22
In reply to Intermittent reinforcement, posted by Twinleaf on April 7, 2012, at 19:45:43
> It has been striking me in recent months that Dr. Bob's. current way of interacting with the board - brief periods of interaction followed by longer periods of absence - amounts to an experience of intermittently reinforcing the message that he is no longer steadily and reliably here. I think this is having the effect of diminishing the amount and frequency of posting. In trauma situations, intermittent, rather than continuous reinforcement, has a much stronger effect on continuing the negative effects of the original trauma. I believe it is the same in this situation; the trauma for us is abandonment by Dr. Bob, , and the effects of this on us are made more severe by brief reappearances.
That's an interesting observation.
I would say that it would be healthier that Dr. Bob have a presence on Psycho-Babble. I would not want to go back to a formulaic treatment of posting blocks, as much as I am convinced that Dr. Bob thought that this would be an objective and just application of regulations. More recently, I see that he is more fluid and flexible in his acting on what he feels are undesirable posting behaviors. I welcome this. I was disappointed, however, that he again tried to place a responsibility upon us to prescribe to others corrective behaviors. I did try doing this once or twice in an effort to give the doctor's method a fair trial. I found that I was very uncomfortable assuming the posture of a learned teacher. It was awkward, dissatisfying, and produced no change in the behavior of others except to either incite in them anger or discourage them from posting at all. I believe that playing such a role can only breed resentment.
I remember when Dr. Bob acted as a source of positive reinforcement rather than interacting with posters solely as a dispassionate enforcer using negative reinforcement. I do want him to encourage civility and protect both the individual and the community as a whole. However, it would be nice if he interacted with us for reasons other than this. He can be very sociable. At least, that is my recollection. It has been so long. I think that he is a nice guy and not at all evil. I find it to be an act ob benevolencer to keep this website running and available to a population in so much need of education and support.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on April 8, 2012, at 10:06:40
In reply to Re: Intermittent reinforcement, posted by SLS on April 8, 2012, at 7:04:22
I remember when deep thought went into each post I posted making sure was using correct words like feel instead of think. I have carried this into everyday life where it has contributed to my becoming meek from strong. Hard to explain. So I have thought that feeling is one thing and thoughts are another. I do like being about the post certain words now. But Bob should be here at times and interacting would be nice. Oh is there still a Deputy? Or are we them now? Phillipa
Posted by Twinleaf on April 8, 2012, at 17:45:27
In reply to Re: Intermittent reinforcement, posted by SLS on April 8, 2012, at 7:04:22
I agree with you, Scott. I would also like to see Dr. Bob here on a regular, if not intensive basis. I too appreciate the fact that he keeps this site running for us, and would like to see him find a more positive role in it once again. Disciplinary actions are sometimes needed, but could be sparingly applied and short. And they need not be the only functions that he has here; there are many positive things that he could do which would balance out his disciplinary functions.
I do worry that brief appearances, followed by lengthy absences, may be acting as a negative reinforcement, and contributing to the on-going decline in posting.
Posted by Deneb on April 8, 2012, at 18:01:34
In reply to Re: Intermittent reinforcement, posted by SLS on April 8, 2012, at 7:04:22
> He can be very sociable. At least, that is my recollection. It has been so long. I think that he is a nice guy and not at all evil. I find it to be an act ob benevolencer to keep this website running and available to a population in so much need of education and support.
>
>
> - Scott
>OMG, Dr. Bob is the best! He's a really nice guy. He's very considerate of other people. He's sociable.
We should totally get together in real life. It's so fun and I miss him so much! Dr. Bob's been using his own money to keep this site running for over a freaking decade!
Can we please get together again? Pleeeze? OMG. I want to so badly!
I'd love to meet you Scott! You're also the best! You're so helpful to everyone! You're so smart. And Twinleaf is also the best! You're both awesome. OMG, there are so many great Babblers! I want to meet you all!
Posted by sigismund on April 9, 2012, at 0:28:37
In reply to Re: Intermittent reinforcement, posted by SLS on April 8, 2012, at 7:04:22
> I did try doing this once or twice in an effort to give the doctor's method a fair trial. I found that I was very uncomfortable assuming the posture of a learned teacher. It was awkward, dissatisfying, and produced no change in the behavior of others except to either incite in them anger or discourage them from posting at all. I believe that playing such a role can only breed resentment.
Yes
Posted by SLS on April 9, 2012, at 10:08:30
In reply to Re: Intermittent reinforcement, posted by Deneb on April 8, 2012, at 18:01:34
> I'd love to meet you Scott! You're also the best! You're so helpful to everyone! You're so smart. And Twinleaf is also the best! You're both awesome. OMG, there are so many great Babblers! I want to meet you all!
You're not so bad yourself!
:-)
- Scott
Posted by sleepygirl2 on April 14, 2012, at 11:10:24
In reply to Intermittent reinforcement, posted by Twinleaf on April 7, 2012, at 19:45:43
I don't understand what this means. Anyone care to explain in plain language?
Posted by Twinleaf on April 16, 2012, at 6:46:32
In reply to Re: Intermittent reinforcement, posted by sleepygirl2 on April 14, 2012, at 11:10:24
In PTSD, having stressful events happen at intervals, rather than continually, is thought to cause the most harm. I was concerned that Dr. Bob's disappearances, following days or weeks of his presence, could be considered a stressful event, and might cause more posters to disappear each time.
Posted by Phillipa on April 16, 2012, at 18:50:17
In reply to Re: Intermittent reinforcement, posted by Twinleaf on April 16, 2012, at 6:46:32
Really? I never heard that. I find myself looking to post just to try and keep things alive. Phillipa
Posted by Phil on May 4, 2012, at 8:15:26
In reply to Re: Intermittent reinforcement, posted by SLS on April 8, 2012, at 7:04:22
I remember those days too, Scott and it was pretty cool.
This is the end of the thread.
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