Measurement of moral values: A review and critique.

A historical review of the literature on efforts to assess strength of moral values led to the conclusion that existing instruments have weaknesses which limit their utility for psychological research. The most important of these weaknesses are: (1) questionable assumptions about the relationship of moral values and moral behavior, (2) a focus on moral abstractions rather than moral behavior in realistic contexts, (3) reliance on subjective and inferential scoring procedures which stress "correct" moral values, and (4) inadequate standardization. It is concluded that moral values are best conceptualized as subjective and individual attitudes whose measurement is most meaningfully achieved independent of a concern with moral behavior and conventional standards of moral evaluation. (2 p. ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Presidential address and introduction to special issue: SPAB comes of age.

It was my honor to open the first annual symposium of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors (SPAB) held in Atlanta, Georgia, and to deliver the Presidential Address. The essentials of my remarks are repeated here and serve as an introduction to this special issue reporting on the presentations that were made at the symposium. The papers presented at the First Symposium of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors reflect the breadth and depth of the SPAB's membership. We are an active, eclectic group attempting to apply scientific and clinical findings to a baffling set of disorders. In this sample of papers we see traditional psychotherapy and its derivatives, the influence of motivational theory and decision theory, a move toward changes in socially related cognitive processes, extension of the definition of the disorder to include the family, and therapeutic applications of psychological theory and techniques in an artificial community. At times in these papers we see clinical practice outstrip the scientific basis for that practice. At other times, we see valiant attempts to force clinical phenomena into the mold of academic research interests. Whatever the case, these papers represent psychological thinking about addictive behaviors and they use psychological terminology. Other facets of the addictive disorders field, for example, the self-help community, have a forum where a relatively circumscribed view can be expressed for those who want to hear it. For psychology, at last, there is a similar forum: the SPAB Journal, Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. There is no clearer evidence that SPAB has come of age. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The epistemology question in psychology.

That psychologists are debating epistemological questions appears to be a relatively recent phenomenon only if one has no appreciation for the history of the discipline. Whether we evoke the writings of Wundt, Hull, Tolman, or more recent cognitive psychologists, it is impossible to escape the recurrence of certain fundamental questions on the nature of psychological knowledge and the justification of that knowledge. Even Skinner is a remarkably adept epistemologist despite his avowal that theories of learning are not necessary. But psychology has been enthralled for the better part of this century by a caricature of the very science it would become, and, while it has been consistently and severely criticized for this mistake, it has shown itself to be remarkably immune to such criticism. Part of the reluctance to change has stemmed from the lack of a serious indigenous alternative to the hackneyed version of logical empiricism and its operationist credo that have held sway over the discipline for the better part of its life. The papers included in the present issue of Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne are a small wedge into the broader conversation concerning what it means to have psychological knowledge. Each of these was part of a symposium presented at the Canadian Psychological Association Meetings in Montreal in 1988 by the Section on the History and Philosphy of Psychology. Each of the four papers argues (a) against the status quo of the shop-worn operationism and its attendant claims which pass for epistemology in psychology, and (b) for a renewed emphasis of either some one form of realism or constructionism. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On writing "little papers."

Journal policies have encouraged the writing of "little papers" and have discouraged longer papers and monographs. "Little paper" refers "to the four- or five-page article dealing with one or two aspects of a larger problem." "Many psychologists are troubled by the proliferation of articles and journals dealing with psychological topics." The "little papers" are likely to be of small consequence and it is unlikely that "a productive science will eventually emerge from the host of trivial and unrelated studies that fill the journals." "Little papers" should be discouraged; editors should induce some authors to forego "one-shot" papers in favor of a series of integrated and planned researches. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of From Perceiving to Performing: An Aspect of Cognitive Growth.

Reviews the book, From Perceiving to Performing: An Aspect of Cognitive Growth by D. R. Olson and Susan M. Pagliuso (Eds.) (1968). As recently as 1960 Miller, Galanter, and Pribram (1960) were able to say that there exists a "theoretical vacuum between cognition and action" and in their book, they made an attempt to fill in that vacuum. Since then, many other psychologists have also concerned themselves with this theoretical vacuum and have made valiant attempts to fill it. Not all psychologists, of course, agreed that a vacuum existed or that if it did, it required filling. The monograph edited by Olson and Pagliuso is concerned with this theoretical vacuum with a special emphasis on the relationship between perceiving and performing. The core of the monograph is four papers plus a discussion presented at an American Psychological Association symposium in 1967. To this has been added a book review and a reprint of an article. Generally speaking, the reviewer regards this monograph as a collection of interesting and stimulating papers concerned with an old and important problem in psychology. It is well worth reading, but the reader should not expect any major theoretical advances. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of A Dialectical Psychology.

Reviews the book, A Dialectical Psychology by Allan R. Buss (1979). This collection of papers, most of them previously published, covers topics as diverse as attribution theory, life-span development, humanistic psychology, history of differential psychology, interactionism, the relations of fact and theory and of individual and society, and the future of psychology in general. Those who seek in this book a dialectical psychology will find it neither explained nor exemplified. While interesting connections are drawn from time to time between psychological theory and the social-historical context, it is not clear what is so "critical" about the way in which they are drawn, nor does one ever attain the feeling of having been led very far beyond "mere surface appearance." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stimulating transitions in moral reasoning as a function of stage of cognitive development.

Examined L. Kohlberg's proposition that cognitive development is necessary though not sufficient for moral development. The specific hypothesis tested, in a pre–posttest control group design involving 44 female adolescents (mean age 16.2 yrs), was that Moral Stage 3 Ss who have attained "early basic formal operations" are more susceptible to attempts to stimulate moral development than Stage 3 Ss who have attained only "beginning formal operations" and lack the cognitive prerequisites for moral transitions. A series of pretests (verbal reasoning and logico-physical problems, and Moral Judgment Interview) was used to obtain Ss who met the appropriate cognitive and moral criteria. The treatment exposed Ss to Stage 4 reasoning in individual role-playing situations. A moral judgment posttest followed 1 wk later. Results confirm the hypothesis, thus providing evidence for the proposition that cognitive development is necessary for moral reasoning development. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotherapy or massage parlor technology? Comments on the Zeiss, Rosen, and Zeiss treatment procedure.

Argues that there are numerous ethical, moral, philosophical, and social psychological issues involved in modern sex therapy. Psychologists have accorded sex therapy a warm reception into the field, but present ethical guidelines are insufficient to protect clients from psychological damage in the form of massive intrusions on privacy and reoriented moral and religious values. Further, the more explicit procedures seem to carry a message to society that "anything goes." The procedure employed by A. M. Zeiss et al (see record 1978-01520-001) is used as a reference point for discussing these issues. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotherapy and new religions in a pluralistic society.

Although some scholars have contended that psychotherapy and new religions are competitors in the therapeutic and experiential marketplace, few attempts have been made to examine the nature of this alleged competition in contemporary society. One reason for this may be the dominant role played by psychologists and psychiatrists in defining reality in today's "psychological society." The authors address this problem by positing the functional equivalence of these 2 approaches to reality, individual adjustment, and growth. Six commonalities between psychotherapy and new religions are identified and discussed as the basis for understanding the functional equivalence of different practices in a pluralistic society. It is concluded that rivalry between new religions and psychotherapy can be best understood from a sociological conflict perspective and may be indicative of larger stresses and strains in society. (128 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Symposium on relationships between religion and mental health: Discussion.

"To prepare to serve the personal needs of those who come to the pastor, psychology and clinical training have come into the curriculum of theological education… . It may be noted… that the deeper the psychotherapy the more like a religious conversion it becomes." Ostow finds that the most effective psychological controls in animal and human behavior "are exactly those which religion has developed with conspicuous success." Goodwin Watson notes that amoral therapy is a contradiction in terms, for every personal choice is a moral one. "Mental health is everybody's business. Every profession and every discipline of knowledge is responsible to give from its wisdom to the cause of healthy living on this planet. Psychology and psychiatry are making notable contributions. Religion and ethics too are disciplines needed on this frontier. From the ultimate concern of ethical religion we may ask faithful devotion to the human quest for wholeness." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Intentional action and "in order to".

Joshua Knobe argues that psychological subjects regard an action as intentional if they are willing to use an "in order to" construction to explain the act, where the act in question appears on the right hand side of the construction. His research suggests that psychological subjects' moral views do affect whether they use the "in order to" construction in this way. Here I argue that subjects regard an action as intentional if they are also willing to place the act on the left hand side of an "in order to" construction. My research suggests that psychological subjects' moral views do not affect whether they use the "in order to" construction in this way. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Phenomenology depends on human nature.

Comments on the article "Psychology and Phenomenology: A Clarification" by H. H. Kendler (see record 2005-05480-003). Kendler contrasted objective phenomena going on in the mind with phenomenological convictions. He concluded, on the basis of a thoughtful analysis, that scientific psychology cannot validate moral principles, which have to be agreed upon by discussion among educated members of a democratic community. He recommended psychological research on the consequences of social policies that may facilitate humans' decisions. I argue that research on the nature of phenomenological convictions is useful as well, enabling human beings to amend their strategies when reasoning about moral values. Scientific psychology can contribute to moral reasoning not only by examining social consequences of certain policies but also by highlighting the very process, starting from phenomenological convictions and ending in moral values within a community. Thus, psychological research contributes to the reflection of how members of a community exert their freedom and may give them the opportunity to enhance their reasoning and negotiation procedures. Scholars have to be humble and admit that the limit to this enhancement lies in the limitations of human reasoning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Will psychologists study human problems?

"Psychology is… fragmented, overspecialized, method centered, and dull." Psychological papers have been forced into the same mold, in research design and style of reporting; inflated jargon and professional baggage are substituted for psychological insight and sensitivity. A constructive alternative to the prevailing orientation might be called a "human-problems" approach. This approach stresses personality-social aspects, dynamic aspects, holism, and comprehensiveness. A program of 10 points is suggested, which involves a "different theoretical orientation" and a "different basis for choosing problems." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psycholinguistics and the Psychology of Language.

Comments that two recent papers in the American Psychologist deal with the problem of sentences in language (G. A. Miller, "Some psychological studies of grammar," American Psychologist, 1962, 17, 748-762, see record 1963-06655-001; C. E. Osgood, "On understanding and creating sentences," American Psychologist, 1963, 18, 735-751, see record 1964-07405-001). Earlier, a paper by Mowrer (1954) dealt with substantially the same subject. These papers attempt a psychological approach to what is traditionally a linguistic problem, hence are aptly labeled "psycholinguistic" efforts. The present author believes a distinction is in order between "psycholinguistics" in this sense, and the "psychology of language." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Arthroscopy language

The authors have devised an "arthroscopy language" to make orthopaedic surgeons' intraoperative communication clear, comprehensive, and concise. This language specifically eliminates surgeons' "freestyle" conversation at the most crucial moments of their procedure, when concentration and the coordinated work of two surgeons are essential. The language uses current arthroscopic terminology and new words that have been adapted by the authors to describe all the basic maneuvers that are used during any arthroscopic procedure. The authors believe the language brings the necessary scientific sophistication into arthroscopic surgeons' speech in the operating theater.     

The effect of electronic surveillance on alcohol misuse and everyday behavior

The present study of the everyday behavior of alcohol misusers is part of a series of studies using a special technique for conveniently reaching the participants at any time, anywhere in order to sample their everyday behavior. One purpose of the study was to help a group of heavy drinkers to reduce or cease drinking. Another purpose was to study how alcohol misusers differ from matched nondrinking people and to obtain a psychological profile of them before and during their attempts to control their drinking. The belief was that an experimental design with a moral contract and electronic surveillance would facilitate drinkers' attempts to control their alcohol consumption. The results in terms of reduced and terminated drinking were very satisfactory, and the method of random action sampling made detailed and explorative analyses possible.     

If at first you don't succeed: False hopes of self-change.

Despite repeated failure at attempts to change aspects of their behavior, people make frequent attempts at self-change. The generally negative outcome of many such self-change efforts makes it difficult to understand why so many individuals persist at these attempts. The authors have described this cycle of failure and renewed effort as a "false hope syndrome" characterized by unrealistic expectations about the likely speed, amount, ease, and consequences of self-change attempts. In this article, the authors further develop their conceptualization of this syndrome and review its evidential basis. They review the reasons why so many people tend to fail in their self-change attempts and then examine how people interpret these failures in such a way that they are led to keep trying repeatedly despite apparently overwhelming odds. Finally, the authors discuss the psychological consequences of repeated failure and analyze the distinction between confidence and overconfidence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Factor analysis as multivariate procedure: A review of multivariate analysis and psychological theory.

Reviews the book, Factor Analysis as Multivariate Procedure: A Review of Multivariate Analysis and Psychological Theory edited by Joseph R. Royce (1973). This publication represents a series of papers, along with competent discussions, presented at the Third Banff Conference on Theoretical Psychology. The conference included, appropriately enough, contributions by members of the Society of Multivariate Experimental Psychology. It is fair to say that the contributions accurately reflect the general status of the field as of the end of 1971, when the conference was held. While the book is organized into two major parts, one dealing with "methodological, pre-theoretical and meta-theoretical issues" with the other aiming "toward a comprehensive, multivariate psychological theory", this organization will not communicate most effectively to the reader of this review. Instead, it seems to the reviewer that the papers can be most easily understood as falling into the categories of methodological contributions, presentations of general approaches to personality, and research and theory dealing with specific research areas. In the context of a large group of exciting papers, how can one single out individual papers for special praise, the reviewer believes that what is particularly praiseworthy will depend upon the eye of the beholder, his orientation to theory, and his relative interest in specific research areas. The empiricism/speculation ratio is quite high in most of the papers, and is consequently recommended. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nomination procedures for APA boards and committees.

In response to several inquiries that have been received from members of APA boards and committees concerning the procedures employed in placing a name on a ballot for election to a particular board or committee, the Board of Directors has requested that a statement of the procedures followed be made available to all board, committee, and Council members. The procedures are outlined. In placing a name on the ballot, the Board of Directors attempts to select an individual who is knowledgeable in a particular area and to ensure age, geographic location, work setting, and psychological specialty variation in the composition of APA boards and committees. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)