Videotape as an Instrument in Psychosomatic Methodology

Abstract

Previous studies of psychosomatic disorder in childhood have confirmed the importance of self attitude and family attitude as factors influencing prognosis and therapeutic response over and above pathophysiological involvement. Standard psychological tests, however, have proved disappointing in assessing these psychodynamic factors. Videotape, on the other hand, does record the interplay of family relationships, relevant to case management, and preserves this information in a form identifiable by other workers. Evidence is presented to support the claim that in the course of standard diagnostic viewing, similar impressions are conveyed to widely differing groups of observers. Videotape is claimed to be superior for this purpose both to audiotape and the written transcript.