Lessons learned from a life in psychological science: Implications for young scientists.

Many research-focused graduate students are concerned about what seems to be a lack of opportunities in academia, as well as about how to actually begin and develop a career in psychological science. Recognizing this, the American Psychological Association (APA) Science Student Council organized a distinguished scientist discussion hour at APA's 105th Annual Convention in Chicago. Three distinguished scientists, Martin Seligman, Robert Sternberg, and Shelley Taylor, agreed to contribute as panelists. In a dialogue with the audience, they discussed a variety of career-related issues, ranging from how to pursue a career in psychological science to how the panelists' own careers had developed. This article summarizes this exchange, offering insight for all those embarking on a career in science. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

State Psychological Associations and APA.

The author provides an updated and abbreviated summary of some remarks this writer made at the fall meeting of the Illinois Psychological Association held in Chicago in October, 1967. The author shared with those in attendance and with fellow panelists some thoughts around the following questions: What are the purposes of state associations? What is their present state of health? And what should be their interrelationship with the national structure? (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

When the therapist must leave: Forced termination of psychodynamic therapy.

This article offers a comprehensive overview of the issues involved in therapist-imposed terminations of psychodynamic therapy. Despite the common occurrence of therapists leaving clinics because of job changes, end-of-training rotations, or relocation, there has been relatively little discussion in the literature of the forced termination process. The author decribes frequently encountered transference and countertransference reactions as well as realistic responses to the premature ending. Recommendations are offered regarding the timing and manner of informing patients, techniques that facilitate the expression and working through of feelings, and effective ways to achieve closure on the current therapy while helping patients to continue with a new therapist. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Changes in the distribution of short-term exposure concentration with different averaging times

PURPOSE: To express for educational purposes, different and often opposing views on controversial topics of current interest in vascular radiology. And to explore whether or not consensus can be reached on any of these controversial issues. METHOD: Panel discussion among experts in the field. With the help of a moderator, controversial topics were introduced for discussion. For each topic the moderator underscored the principal issue and asked relevant questions. All panelists were asked to express their views on all issues. The following issues were discussed: Atherectomy vs balloon angioplasty; Balloon angioplasty vs stents; Digital vs analog Imaging; TIPS as an emergency procedure; Regional thrombolysis; MRA vs conventional angiography; Laser angioplasty; Carbon dioxide angiography; Lymphangiography vs CT; The training of surgeons in angiography. The panelists were urged to avoid extensive references to the literature but rather to express their own personal opinions based on experience and practice. For each topic an attempt was made to arrive at consensus. RESULTS: Ten issues were presented for debate and discussion. Despite divergent opinions it was possible and relatively painless to reach consensus on seven controversies. On the remaining issues the panelists agreed to disagree. However even when there was disagreement certain trends became apparent. Local considerations and resource availability accounted for varied approaches to the solution of certain controversies. CONCLUSIONS: A panel discussion among experts may be a useful way to address controversies for educational purposes. Despite divergence of opinions consensus may be reached, or in absence of consensus general trends may become apparent.     

Commentaries on the ethical and effective practice of clinical supervision.

Every psychologist participates in clinical supervision during various aspects of his or her training. Many psychologists also provide supervision to less experienced colleagues and to those in training. But what makes for an effective and competent supervisor? Psychologists need to know because substandard or ineffective clinical supervision may have far-reaching consequences for the developing professional and for those he or she treats. This contribution provides key information on clinical supervision and related competence issues. A number of questions are raised that must be addressed by individual psychologists and the profession alike. Then, 3 invited expert commentaries are offered to address these issues, further this important discussion, and attempt to answer the challenging questions raised. Attention to the issues raised and recommendations made will hopefully lead to enhanced clinical competence and effectiveness by clinical supervisors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

'Out of the sighs'--an existential-phenomenological method of clinical supervision: the contribution to palliative care

This paper describes a method of clinical supervision that engages a Macmillan home care nurse in an existential-phenomenological exchange. A synthesis of Egan's method of problem management and phenomenological interviewing, is offered as an approach to clinical supervision considered appropriate for palliative care nursing. Through a case study approach the author affords glimpses into the life world of palliative care nursing. It is suggested that conflicts experienced in the field both manifest themselves in the supervisory encounter and parallel the nurse's and supervisor's own existential struggles. The discussion as such throws light on what is, frequently, the heart rending nature of palliative care nurses' chosen area of work and illuminates the mutual profundity of the experience of palliative care.     

Subjective factors in clinicians' judgments of insanity: Comparison of a hypothetical case and an actual case.

In a series of three survey studies, we investigated psychiatrists' and clinical psychologists' responses to questions about the insanity defense. We found that subjects' ideology and background were predictive of their attitude toward the insanity defense in general and that this general attitude was, in turn, predictive of how subjects responded to a particular, hypothetical case. In a national sample of 262 clinicians, a combination of nine predominantly subjective variables accounted for 34% of the variance in responses to a hypothetical case. Last, in a follow-up validity study of 46 clinicians, their responses to the insanity defense of John Hinckley closely approximated their responses to the hypothetical case on which the three surveys were based. We conclude that recent reforms of the insanity defense that prohibit direct testimony as to legal sanity or insanity were a positive step. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A method of teaching psychodynamic case formulation.

In light of the paucity of literature discussing the systematic instruction of trainee psychologists in psychodynamic case formulation, the author introduces an eight-step method for teaching the theory and application of psychodynamic case formulation. The method involves clarifying the nature of psychodynamic formulations, outlining the characteristics of competent formulations, presenting a conceptually simple structure for organizing case material, exposing trainees to carefully selected written and video-recorded cases, and getting trainees to use their subjective responses to video-recorded initial clinical interviews as a source of useful hypotheses. A case study from the literature is used to demonstrate this formulation methodology. The paper concludes with a discussion of both the prerequisites for, and characteristics of, competent case formulation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Menopause and hormone replacement therapy

Menopause is a normal part of life of most women and can be made easier with appropriate information about the events that occur. For those women who desire help for bothersome menopausal symptoms, effective therapy can be offered. The use of HRT for prevention is more complex. Several large randomized clinical trials, including the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) and the Heart and Estrogen Replacement Therapy Study (HERS) in the United States, are currently underway. These trials, which have as end points clinical events such as myocardial infarction, sudden death, fractures, and cancer, will provide answers to many of the questions raised in this discussion. Until the results of these trials are available, clinicians must be prudent in their recommendations and should keep their patients apprised of the relevant uncertainties of preventive HRT.     

Incorporating HIV-related issues into graduate student training.

Many authors have stated that mental health professionals will be faced with a client infected with, or affected by, HIV. However, several surveys have revealed that most students are not receiving HIV-related training in their graduate programs and are unprepared to handle HIV-related issues when they arise. In an effort to provide some potential solutions and alternatives to this problem, a variety of suggestions about how HIV-related issues may be infused into existing courses in areas required for American Psychological Association accreditation are offered. Possible discussion activities, discussion questions, and references are suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Contextualizing discourse on a philosophy of science for psychotherapy integration.

The present article introduces the second installment of this special section (Anchin, 2005) and focuses on the conjunction between philosophy of science and psychotherapy integration. The author suggests that the current state of research in the integrative field offers a timely opportunity for discussion and debate about a philosophy of science appropriately suited to the distinctive nature of psychotherapy integration. To contextualize such discourse, the principal domains of interest in philosophy of science are described, followed by discussion of the two opposing philosophical positions, naturalism and antinaturalism, that have long dominated debates about scientific knowledge in the social sciences. The divergent modes of inquiry spawned by these two positions are then examined, followed by discussion of the degree of impact each mode of inquiry has had on guiding psychotherapy research. The author puts forward core dimensions of a scientific paradigm for psychotherapy integration logically and operationally consistent with the epistemological pluralism of integrative theory and practice; noted, as well, are benefits for psychotherapy integration, and for psychotherapy research and the discipline of psychology more broadly. Against this backdrop, central themes of Robert Elliott's (2008) ensuing analysis and Robert Woolfolk's and Frank Richardson's (2008) commentary are highlighted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The psychology of working: The clinical context.

Vocational psychology increasingly has identified the centrality of work in people's lives. Yet in clinical practice, vocational and personal issues do not always receive equivalent attention, with vocational concerns often being overlooked. With a case study, the author illustrates several factors that can serve as barriers to the successful integration of work and personal concerns. The benefits of integration are then offered, along with strategies that have been proposed to more effectively address both work and personal issues. The author concludes with specific recommendations for integrating work and personal issues in psychological practice, as well as recommendations for training. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Goodwill in the valley of the shadow: Religion, psychotherapy, and politics in Britain from 1945 to the early 1960s.

The author hypothesizes that the British psychological climate following World War II, from 1945 to approximately 1960, created the conditions for an unusually frank, honest, and collaborative debate on matters related to religion and spirituality generally as well as broader social and political issues. The author first sketches the nature of this climate, before looking more specifically at the interrelationships among religion, psychotherapy and, very briefly, politics during this period. Suggestions regarding the dissipation of this phase after 1960 are examined. The final section considers some qualifications to the case previously outlined and identifies issues and questions that the author feels need addressing further. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A symposium on therapeutic termination: Principles and obstacles--Chair's introduction.

The psychotherapy termination process has, thus far, received too little attention both within and outside the field of psychotherapy integration. Drawing on their clinical experience, representatives from 3 different psychotherapy home bases were invited to identify several guiding principles that facilitate a therapeutic completion, as well as potential obstacles. To illustrate the complex and multifaceted nature of this subject, the author introduces an array of clinical questions that prompted him to organize this symposium. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On Woolfolk and Richardson.

Comments on R. L. Woolfolk and F. C. Richardson's (see record 1985-12614-001) discussion of the ideology of behavior therapy and their argument that behavior therapy cannot develop a conception of what might be appropriate goals of treatment. The present author contends that goals are as much a scientific question as are questions of technique. A scientific approach to the study of goal selection is presented that can be applied to any type of adjustment problem. (8 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introversion, neuroticism, rigidity, and dogmatism.

There are two problems concerning the often hypothesized relationship between neuroticism and behavioral rigidity. First, are there personality dimensions other than neuroticism which affect the relationship? Eysenck (1947) hypothesized that introverted neurotics are rigid, but that extroverted neurotics are not. Second, Rokeach (1960) offered a distinction between rigidity and dogmatism, in which rigidity can be defined as the inability to produce novel or changed responses while dogmatism can be defined as an inability to utilize novel responses which have been produced. Which of these two types of inflexibility characterizes neurotics? To explore for answers for these two questions, a 2 × 2 experimental design was set up. Two conclusions follow from this study. The first is that it is inappropriate to speak loosely of the "rigidity" or "inflexibility" of neurotic behavior, as it was shown that neurotics are not different from non-neurotics in their ability to produce novel responses, but only in their ability to utilize such responses. Secondly, not all neurotics manifest this inability; it is shown by introverted neurotics only. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychologists and Hurricane Katrina: Natural disaster response through training, public education, and research.

The purpose of this article was to describe a model of clinical/disaster psychology and illustrate how one psychologist applied training in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The primary focus of the article relates to training graduate students of clinical psychology and assisting evacuees, public education and dissemination, and research. Psychologists may find themselves in similar positions when disasters occur in the future, and the linkage of research and theory with anecdotal accounts may provide mental health professionals with ideas regarding avenues of training to pursue and the various roles that may be served in times of disaster. Recommendations are offered to training programs with regard to infusing tenets of clinical/disaster psychology into their curriculum. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The benefits and risks of patient self-disclosure in the psychotherapy of women with a history of childhood sexual abuse.

This article explores the potential benefits and risks of patient self-disclosure in the psychotherapy of adult women survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Two primary questions frame this discussion: How are the primary benefits of patient disclosure influenced by CSA status, and what are the specific risks associated with each of these benefits in the case of CSA patients? The authors examine these questions by evaluating, from the perspective of clinical work with CSA patients, each of 6 putative benefits of self-disclosure in psychotherapy: self-awareness and identity formation, intimacy, validation and affirmation, differentiation, authenticity, and catharsis. The authors suggest that although clinical work with CSA survivors often necessitates encouraging these patients to discuss traumatic material, such disclosure may include substantial costs as well as benefits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The use and abuse of religious beliefs in dividing and conquering between socially marginalized groups: The same-sex marriage debate.

This article discusses the use and abuse of religious beliefs and their role in divide-and-conquer strategies. Divide-and-conquer strategies are engaged to disrupt potential coalitions between and among marginalized group members, specifically sexual minority groups and people of color. Tensions between these groups have been exacerbated by the debate on same-sex marriage and comparisons between the discriminatory treatment of each group. A component of this discussion includes a brief exploration of one of the historical abuses of religious doctrine used to legitimize the marginalization of people of color and sexual minorities in the United States. For African Americans, one form of marginalization was reflected in criminalizing interracial marriage, and for members of sexual minority groups, a form of marginalization is denying group members the right to marry. The author also explores culturally competent and respectful disciplinary and clinical responses to religiously derived prejudice against sexual minority group members and people of color and discusses the implications for multicultural discourse. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)