Meeting the critics on their own terms.

Replies to the comments of L. G. Humphreys (see record 1986-10345-001) and V. G. Cicirelli (see record 1986-10327-001) on the present author's work with W. Berman (see record 1984-07983-001) on early childhood education. It is suggested that the term difference is neutral while the term deficit connotes that the cause of differences is inherent in the individual. It is asserted that Cicirelli and the present author agree on the essential point that the Westinghouse study was inappropriately used in the public policy debate. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Constructing productions and producing constructions: A case for nuance.

Extends the discussion of the production of psychological knowledge that was initiated in articles by K. J. Gergen (see record 1986-00014-001), S. Scarr (see record 1986-10725-001), and T. E. Schact (see record 1986-11891-001) by reflecting on factors that render the discussion of psychological knowledge difficult and by calling attention to an omission in the constructionist position outlined by Scarr and by Gergen. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Epistemological consistency and its scientific implications.

Comments on the contributions of G. A. Kimble (see record 1986-07921-001) and L. Krasner and A. C. Houts (see record 1986-10225-001) concerning the relationship between values and science. Using a measure of epistemological assumptions and disciplinary trends with 20 activist psychologists and 159 undergraduates, the present author found a relationship between political persuasion and attitudes about reality. A relationship was also demonstrated between political conservatism and beliefs about biological determinism. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The importance of Popper's theories to psychology.

In a comment on G. A. Kimble's (see record 1986-07921-001) and L. Krasner and A. C. Houts's (see record 1986-10225-001) articles on the place of values in psychological research, the present author argues that the theory of induction and the entire program of the Vienna Circle of logical positivists were destroyed by the theory of objective knowledge of K. R. Popper (published between 1934 and 1982). It is suggested that when Popper's ideas are understood, there can be an epistemic armistice between the scientific and humanistic cultures, although both sides will need to modify some assumptions that they currently share. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Choice of method is value laden too.

In commenting on articles by G. A. Kimble (see record 1986-07921-001) and L. Krasner and A. C. Houts (see record 1986-10225-001) on the role of humanistic and scientific value systems in psychological research, the present author argues that although both articles emphasize the importance of studying the basic assumptions of the discipline, they lose sight of how unstated assumptions have determined the method of investigation used. (3 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Does psi exist? Replicable evidence for an anomalous process of information transfer.

Most academic psychologists do not yet accept the existence of psi, anomalous processes of information or energy transfer (e.g., telepathy or other forms of extrasensory perception) that are currently unexplained in terms of known physical or biological mechanisms. It is believed that the replication rates and effect sizes achieved by 1 particular experimental method, the ganzfeld procedure, are now sufficient to warrant bringing this body of data to the attention of the wider psychological community. Competing meta-analysis of the ganzfeld database are reviewed, one by R. Hyman (see record 1986-05166-001), a skeptical critic of psi research, and the other by C. Honorton (see record 1986-05165-001), a parapsychologist and major contributor to the ganzfeld database. Next the results of 11 new ganzfeld studies that comply with guidelines jointly authored by R. Hyman and C. Honorton (see record 1987-12537-001) are summarized. Issues of replication and theoretical explanation are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Major depression: A comparison of the routes to prevention": A reply to O'Neill.

Responds to the comments by P. O'Neill (see record 2007-08996-001) on C. G. Costello's original article, "Major depression: A comparison of the routes to prevention" (see record 1986-17712-001). In his comment, O'Neill described the current author's paper as "essentially a polemic against the viability of preventive strategies for alleviating the impact of social problems on psychological well-being." O'Neill asserted that a lack of understanding of how preventive interventions really work is apparent in the hypothetical examples Costello offered. In the response presented here, Costello addresses the criticisms of his paper in their order of presentation in O'Neill's commentary. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The dominance of the disease theory in American ideas about and treatment of alcoholism.

Comments on R. M. Dreger's (see record 1986-20021-001) and W. P. Reich and W. J. Filstead's (see record 1986-20050-001) comments concerning the present author's (see record 1985-28347-001) article on the cultural context of psychological approaches to alcoholism. In answer to the question of whether anyone really believes alcohol is a disease, it is asserted, based on practice, that every clinician in the US does. The question of the most appropriate view of alcoholism is addressed in terms of the debate over controlled drinking vs abstinence. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reply to Deutsch and Green.

Replies to the comments of F. Deutsch (see record 1986-26175-001) and B. L. Green (see record 1986-26216-001) on the present authors' (see record 1986-10770-001) aggressive interchange with B. P. Dohrenwend and P. E. Shrout (see record 1986-10765-001) about confounding problems in studies on stress. It is suggested that Deutsch has joined in the fray and that Green has raised an interesting issue (i.e., the relative predictive power of objective and subjective measures of stressful events). (7 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Comments on three recent subliminal psychodynamic activation investigations": Rejoinder to Oliver and Burkham and to Porterfield.

Considers the replies of A. L. Porterfield (see record 1986-11991-001) and J. M. Oliver and R. Burkham (see record 1986-11985-001) to the critique of the present author (see record 1986-12007-001). The original criticisms are seen as valid. A critical deficiency in the design of Porterfield and S. L. Golding's (see record 1986-11992-001) study is viewed as disqualifying it as a fair attempt at replication. It is suggested that although Oliver and Burkham's (see record 1983-01571-001) study was well-designed, statements made in their write-up are unwarranted. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"On the question of professional standards for computer-based test interpretation": Response to Kramer on Matarazzo.

Responds to the comments by J. J. Kramer (see record 1990-58925-001) on the current author's original article (see record 1986-19878-001), in which Matarazzo contends that computerized clinical psychological test interpretations offer considerable potential for improving the work of health service providers. However, cost additions associated with this technology have increased the probabilities that legislative, judicial, and administrative restrictions and sanctions will be imposed. Here, Matarazzo notes that he finds nothing in Kramer's comments that is inconsistent with the opinions that Matarazzo himself offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Graduate education in psychology: Time for a change?

Contends that the emergence and growth of professional schools that provide psychological knowledge and training to those seeking applied careers constitutes the most visible attempt to alter the training of psychologists. The American Psychological Association's Education and Training Board has been mandated to evaluate the scope and mechanisms of the accreditation of doctoral psychology programs and to develop a planning committee for a national conference on university-based graduate education in psychology. Proposals for change suggested by R. E. Fox et al (see record 1986-12821-001), R. L. Klatzky et al (see record 1986-13164-001), and M. E. Olbrisch et al (see record 1986-12850-001) are discussed. (7 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Optimum service delivery to the Black client.

Replies to the comments of H. U. Ashby (see record 1986-17759-001) and P. Bronstein (see record 1986-17774-001) on the author's (see record 1985-26063-001) work on the nondisclosing Black client. Ashby's and Bronstein's objections to the term healthy cultural paranoia are addressed with assertions that the author is not the originator of the term and that the impact of the proposal on the quality of care services to Black clients was not considered by either Ashby or Bronstein. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On mood variation and memory: Reply to Isen (1985), Ellis (1985), and Mayer and Bower (1985).

Responds to comments by A. M. Isen (see record 1986-13663-001); H. C. Ellis (see record 1986-13654-001); and J. D. Mayer and G. M. Bower (see record 1986-13675-001) on the present authors' (see record 1986-03061-001) findings that (a) depressed college students showed no overall deficit in recall performance and (b) depressed students failed to show selective recall for mood-congruent (negative) events in a story. Issues considered included performance deficits in depression, selectivity effects in memory, the possibility that affective traits rather than mood states were assessed, and potential reactions to the mood questionnaires. Evidence is presented that the Beck Depression Inventory is not a mild mood-induction procedure. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A reply to Emery's comments.

In response to E. J. Emery's (see record 1987-26891-001) comments on the present author's (see record 1986-10712-001) comparison of H. Kohut and C. Rogers, the present author argues that he did not blur distinctions between Kohut and Rogers, did not risk metamorphosizing Kohut into a Rogerian, did not inappropriately align Kohut with M. Mahler, or return to Freudian terminology with the use of the term vectors of psychological energy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Population and health psychology": A response.

Responds to a critique by D. C. O'Connell (see record 1987-21818-001) concerning the present author's (see record 1986-19757-001) article on population, development, and reproductive behavior. The author reiterates that individual, family, and community well-being, an improved quality of life, and freedom of choice in reproductive behavior are becoming areas of priority interest for health psychologists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On social psychology and policy analysis.

Responds to criticisms by H. H. Kendler (see record 1984-12071-001), I. J. Mansdorf (see record 1984-12073-001), D. A. Resnick (see record 1984-12082-001), and G. Caplan (see record 1984-12061-001) of the present author's (see record 1983-32571-001) social-psychological assessment of the prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace, based on an analysis of Yasser Arafat's cognitive style. The author upholds the validity of his use of psychological principles in policy analysis, responds to specific criticisms related to cultural and political realities in the Middle East, and argues that recent political events support his conclusions concerning the readiness of Palestinians to seek peace. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Practitioner training: A model with rationale intact.

Responds to S. C. Hayes's (see record 1986-25647-001) comments on the work of D. R. Peterson (see record 1986-10245-001) on practitioner training in psychology. The present author argues that practitioner-oriented training in psychology occupies an important niche in the doctoral training system and that its rationale is embodied in its institutional priorities. One purpose of practitioner-oriented training is to develop a culture that is respectful of the clinical enterprise and that treats research primarily as an educational tool and a means to an end rather than as an end in itself. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Contrasting the Hassles Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale: Who's really measuring appraised stress?

Responds to the criticism of the perceived stress scale (PSS) developed by the present author and colleagues (see record 1984-24885-001) by R. S. Lazarus et al (see record 1986-10765-001) in their defense of the hassles scale they developed. It is contended that the PSS predicts psychologic and physical symptoms and health behaviors after controlling for any redundancy with psychological symptom measures. (7 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)