THE POTENTIAL OF VIDEOTAPE DATA - EMOTIONAL CORRELATES OF SENILE DEMENTIA IN FAMILIES AS A CASE IN POINT

In this article I outline how videotape serves validity whenever the t heoretical constructs of context, constructivism, or emotion are used. This argument is grounded in my investigation of senile dementia in f amilies which used videotaped interaction samples of 45 family dyads a nd triads in combination with self report and diagnostic data. This pr oject resulted in the development of the definitional deficit/definiti onal equality typology and the construct of the patienting process in senile dementia. It also suggested rethinking methods and analysis to keep pace with the new flexibility provided by use of VHS videotape.