In service of two masters: The ethical-legal dilemma faced by military psychologists.

Military clinical psychologists may find themselves caught between apparently contradictory requirements of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the American Psychological Association (APA). Two cases involving confidentiality are presented for illustration: Case 1—an active-duty Army officer was referred for psychological consultation after expressing suicidal ideation at the work site; Case 2—a self-referred long-term psychotherapy patient reported having been sexually assaulted by a DOD physician. This article discusses and analyzes these cases, raises issues and dilemmas presented by the demands of DOD and APA, and presents recommendations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Role relationship dilemmas: A potential new process variable.

Investigated the use of relationship dilemmas as a process variable for determining the cause of difficulties in psychotherapy. Relationship dilemmas occur when patients impose role relationship models (schemata of the self or other) on interactions with the therapist. Seven dilemmas were identified by judges who viewed videotapes of therapy with 21 young- and middle-aged adults who had pathological grief reactions after the death of a parent. Dilemmas were then divided into initial patient presentations and possible responses to therapist interventions. Findings indicate that dilemmas correlated with negative patient contributions to the therapeutic alliance, low motivation, and self-reported symptom levels. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A historical perspective on the dilemmas confronting psychology.

Discusses psychology's growth in terms of volume and range of subject matter, variety of applied sciences, and number of professionals. It is argued that the discipline of psychology still shows a proclivity for its parts to hang together despite strong pressures that could lead to separation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Theoretical nuances and practical old questions: The psychology of aging.

The dichotomy of theory and practice is discussed within the framework of the experimental psychology of aging, with particular emphasis on investigations of memory retrieval. Over-emphasis on theoretical nuances should be replaced by attempts to provide tentative answers to questions of importance to our aging population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Navigating personal and relational concerns: The quest for equilibrium.

The authors' personal-relational equilibrium model suggests that people come to seek equilibrium in their dedication to personal and relational concerns in that these 2 important needs cannot always be gratified simultaneously. The authors proposed that the experience of personal-relational disequilibrium motivates attempts to restore equilibrium and that achieving equilibrium promotes life satisfaction. Four studies revealed good support for the model. In Study 1, a manipulation of anticipated future disequilibrium (vs. equilibrium) as a result of overdedication to either the personal or relational domain caused reduced motivation to address concerns in that domain and increased motivation toward the complementary domain. In Study 2, narratives describing disequilibrium experiences (vs. equilibrium experiences) exhibited increased motivation to restore equilibrium and reduced life satisfaction. In Study 3, diary reports of everyday disequilibrium were associated with increased same-day motivation to restore equilibrium, reduced same-day life satisfaction, and increased next-day dedication of effort to the complementary domain. In Study 4, experiences of disequilibrium predicted reduced well-being 6 months later. Collectively, these findings extend knowledge of how people regulate themselves toward equilibrium in pursuing 2 fundamental human concerns. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex differences in cooperation: A meta-analytic review of social dilemmas.

Although it is commonly believed that women are kinder and more cooperative than men, there is conflicting evidence for this assertion. Current theories of sex differences in social behavior suggest that it may be useful to examine in what situations men and women are likely to differ in cooperation. Here, we derive predictions from both sociocultural and evolutionary perspectives on context-specific sex differences in cooperation, and we conduct a unique meta-analytic study of 272 effect sizes—sampled across 50 years of research—on social dilemmas to examine several potential moderators. The overall average effect size is not statistically different from zero (d = –0.05), suggesting that men and women do not differ in their overall amounts of cooperation. However, the association between sex and cooperation is moderated by several key features of the social context: Male–male interactions are more cooperative than female–female interactions (d = 0.16), yet women cooperate more than men in mixed-sex interactions (d = –0.22). In repeated interactions, men are more cooperative than women. Women were more cooperative than men in larger groups and in more recent studies, but these differences disappeared after statistically controlling for several study characteristics. We discuss these results in the context of both sociocultural and evolutionary theories of sex differences, stress the need for an integrated biosocial approach, and outline directions for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical dilemmas encountered by members of the American Psychological Association: A national survey.

A random sample of 1,319 members of the American Psychological Association (APA) were asked to describe incidents that they found ethically challenging or troubling. Responses from 679 psychologists described 703 incidents in 23 categories. This process of gathering critical incidents from the general membership, pioneered by those who developed APA's original code of ethics, may be useful in considering possible revisions of the code and preserving APA's unique approach to identifying ethical principles that address realistically the emerging dilemmas that the diverse membership confronts in the day-to-day work of psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical dilemmas in clinical supervision. 2: Need for guidelines

In this, the second half of this two-part article, the authors focus on ethical dilemmas in clinical supervision. Referring to the case vignettes included in the first part of this article (Vol 7(15): 920-3), the authors highlight how ethical dilemmas can arise and then provide some discussion on how they might be handled. As a result of the discussion, the authors conclude that there is a clear need for a specific set of guidelines to be produced that would help safeguard best practice within clinical supervision and ensure it remains an opportunity to help and support nurses in reflecting on their dilemmas, difficulties and successes (Cutcliffe and Proctor, 1998a). This would prevent supervision from becoming another form of management monitoring which might inadvertently prevent the resolution of intra- and interpersonal issues affecting the care of clients.     

Ethical dilemmas and U.S. Air Force clinical psychologists: A survey.

Although psychologists work in widely varying settings, all encounter ethical dilemmas. Those who are also officers in the U.S. Air Force have the double burden of upholding the ethics code of psychologists while also supporting the mission of the Air Force. Does this create unique ethical dilemmas? To address this issue, the authors sent active-duty Air Force psychologists a questionnaire asking them to describe recent ethical conflicts. These conflicts are discussed as they relate to the "Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct" (American Psychological Association, 1992) and in comparison with civilian practice. Results suggest a broad range of concerns but center on those related to perceived conflicts between the Air Force mission and the ethical demands of psychologists. Recommendations for dealing with ethical conflicts at the organizational level are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Concept mapping. Navigating the learning process

Critical thinking, meaningful learning, and concept synthesis are key phrases pervading nursing literature as educators strive to promote optimal learning and improve clinical instruction and problem solving across levels of nursing education. Concept mapping offers a state-of-the-art metacognitive approach to achievement of these important goals. The author explores concept mapping from the perspective of cognitive theory, analyzes its strengths and drawbacks, presents examples of various concept maps and graphic organizers, and suggests pragmatic applications to nursing clinical, classroom, curriculum, and research situations.     

Navigating student ratings of instruction.

Many colleges and universities have adopted the use of student ratings of instruction as one (often the most influential) measure of instructional effectiveness. In this article, the authors present evidence that although effective instruction may be multidimensional, student ratings of instruction measure general instructional skill, which is a composite of 3 subskills: delivering instruction, facilitating interactions, and evaluating student learning. The authors subsequently report the results of a meta-analysis of the multisection validity studies that indicate that student ratings are moderately valid; however, administrative, instructor, and course characteristics influence student ratings of instruction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A study of the dilemmas involved in work with schizophrenic patients.

Discusses some of the difficulties involved in transference and its handling with schizophrenic patients, using the treatment of a 22-yr-old chronic schizophrenic male as an illustration. Two major findings have emerged since Freud's contention that the schizophrenic could not form a transference relationship: The schizophrenic can form a transference relationship to the therapist, although (1) it may be of a different kind than that of the neurotic, and (2) for some therapists it is no longer the major tool of therapy. As the nature of the relationship changes from that of one whole person relating to another to that of a mother relating to a child, there is a shift in therapeutic technique. Whereas, in the former relationship, interpretation of the transference is primary, in the latter, the context or the setting for that interpretation becomes primary. The therapist must create a safe environment for schizophrenics as they regress to dependence. The therapist must be willing and able to merge with the patient, to be mother to the infant patient. This stance requires the utmost from the therapist, and thus countertransference acquires major importance in this work. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical dilemmas in sport psychology: A dialogue on the unique aspects impacting practice.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 41(3) of Professional Psychology: Research and Practice (see record 2010-11935-001). Due to a production error, the name of Amy B. Stapleton was substituted for the name of Jeffrey E. Barnett as the editor of the Focus on Ethics section in the April issue of Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41, 2, 143–152.] The multidisciplinary field of applied sport psychology, a specialty area of psychology practice, has been acknowledged as a proficiency area by the American Psychological Association (APA, 2007). This unique discipline often requires the psychologist to work outside the realm of traditional practice. In doing so, sport psychologists frequently encounter unique ethical dilemmas. In an effort to promote awareness and dialogue, this article describes some of the more commonly faced ethical considerations in applied sport psychology. Issues related to developing and maintaining competence in the field, confidentiality, and boundary issues are discussed, and case examples are provided to illustrate the relevant ethical consideration. Subsequently, three applied sport psychology experts respond to the lead article’s discussion and offer poignant reflections on ethical issues presented. In addition, suggestions for successfully resolving ethical dilemmas related to competence, confidentiality, and boundary issues in sport psychology are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mental retardation: Some conceptions and dilemmas.

Uncertainties about causes, expression, and treatment of mental retardation will not yield to simplistic unidimensional models that fail to take into account a vast array of dynamically interacting biological, social, and ecological variables. Issues concerning mental retardation cut across major conceptual dilemmas that have long confronted psychology, biology, and sociology: What is the nature of intelligence? To what extent can environment influence outcome? What level of theoretical construction will produce our most useful bases for social policy? The problems are complex: The solutions can be no less. The time has come to develop a new definition of mental retardation, accompanied by reliable methods to assess and classify children's intellectual and social competence in relation to a valid taxonomy of environments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Therapeutic jurisprudence: Five dilemmas to ponder.

This article identifies and examines 5 conundrums confronting therapeutic jurisprudence. Is therapeutic jurisprudence distinguishable from other jurisprudences that share its goal of using the law to improve the well-being of others (the identity dilemma)? Can the term therapeutic be defined in a meaningful way (the definitional dilemma)? Will the vagaries of empirical research, on which therapeutic jurisprudence heavily relies, doom its proposals (the dilemma of empirical indeterminacy)? How will a therapeutic jurisprudence proposal that benefits only a subgroup of those it affects be implemented (the rule of law dilemma)? When and how should a therapeutic jurisprudence proposal be balanced against countervailing constitutional and social policies (the balancing dilemma)? (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The nature of psychology: The great dilemmas.

Research about the nature of psychology, its subject matter, its level of analysis, its scientific laws, its relationship with other disciplines, and its social relevance has been a matter of great concern and interest during the development of psychology. This problem can be analyzed in terms of the dilemmas of the psychological discipline, which have been choice points, crossroads, alternative decisions that bring psychologists face to face with the following issues: (a) the subject matter of psychology: psyche, mind, or behavior?; (b) the role of scientific methodology: is psychology a natural science, a social/behavioral/human science, or a part of the humanities?; (c) the universality or particularity of scientific laws in psychology: are laws universal or culture-bound and contextual?; and (d) the balance between science and profession: is psychology a basic science, a socially relevant profession, or both? (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clinical dilemmas in contemporary psychotherapy: The search for clinical wisdom.

Examines the concept of the clinical dilemma in the contemporary practice of psychotherapy. The notion of "dilemma management" by the psychotherapist is viewed as a ubiquitous phenomenon in the psychotherapeutic process. Dilemmas in a range of areas of clinical practice are discussed. These include (1) differing treatment modalities, such as insight-oriented psychotherapy, behavior therapy, marital and family therapy, and group therapy; (2) systemic issues such as spousal codependency and family homeostasis; (3) transference and countertransference; (4) therapeutic neutrality and management of the therapeutic boundary; and (5) psychological assessment and psychiatric diagnosis. Finally, observations are made about the interpersonal process of dilemma management in psychotherapy that models for patients an effective way of approaching the pervasive conflicts and dilemmas in their own lives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cognitions and behavior in asymmetric social dilemmas: A comparison of two cultures.

This study investigated whether cognitions and behavior in an asymmetric social dilemma can be predicted by national culture. Results indicated that, as predicted, groups of decision makers from Japan--a collectivist, hierarchical culture--were more cooperative, expected others to be more cooperative, and were more likely to adopt an equal allocation distribution rule to resolve the dilemma than were groups of decision makers from the US--an individualist, egalitarian culture. An opportunity for communication had a greater impact on expectations of others' behavior in groups of U.S. decision makers than in groups of Japanese decision makers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)