Displaced aggression is alive and well: A meta-analytic review.

Content analysis of 122 social psychology textbooks confirmed that displaced aggression received a surge of attention immediately following J. Dollard, L. W. Doob, N. E. Miller, O. H. Mowrer, and R. R. Sears (1939), but subsequent interest sharply declined. Contemporary texts give it little attention. By contrast, meta-analysis of the experimental literature confirms that it is a robust effect (mean effect size/&=/&+0.54). Additionally, moderator analyses showed that: (a) The more negative the setting in which the participant and target interacted, the greater the magnitude of displaced aggression; (b) in accord with N. E. Miller's (1948) stimulus generalization principle, the more similar the provocateur and target, the more displaced aggression; and (c) consistent with the contrast effect (L. Berkowitz & D. A. Knurek, 1969), the intensity of initial provocation is inversely related to the magnitude of displaced aggression. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Illusory conjunctions are alive and well: A reply to Donk (1999).

When presented with a red T and a green O, observers occasionally make conjunction responses and indicate that they saw a green T. These errors have been interpreted as reflecting separable processing stages of feature detection and integration with the illusory conjunctions arising from a failure at the integration stage. Recently, M. Donk (see record 1999-11444-003) asserted that the phenomenon of illusory conjunctions is an artifact. Conjunction reports are actually the result of confusing a nontarget item (O in the example above) for a target item (the letter T) and (correctly) reporting the color associated with the (incorrectly) selected target. The authors demonstrate that although target–nontarget confusion errors are a potential source of conjunction reports, there is a plethora of findings that cannot be accounted for by this confusion model. A review of the literature indicates that in many studies, illusory conjunctions do result from a failure to properly integrate features. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The voluntary spirit is alive and well

Despite the inroads on the independence of our health care system, a number of forces are demonstating that the voluntary spirit will be around for at least another generation.     

The disease model is alive and well in Zygmunt Piotrowski.

Argues against the implicit assumption in the article by Z. A. Piotrowski (see record 1982-24817-001) that a disease or medical-model conception of human problems is adequate and should be accepted without challenge. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The social learning theory of sex differences: Imitation is alive and well.

The hypothesis that sex role development depends in part on children's tendencies to imitate same-sex individuals more than opposite-sex models is central to most theories of sex typing. Yet E. E. Maccoby and C. N. Jacklin (1974), in a review of the literature, conclude that the hypothesis has been disconfirmed. It is argued here that the research on which Maccoby and Jacklin based their conclusion is weak both methodologically and conceptually. This article presents a modified social learning theory account of the contribution of imitation to sex role development. It is suggested that children learn which behaviors are appropriate to each sex by observing differences in the frequencies with which male and female models as groups perform various responses in given situations. Furthermore, children employ these abstractions of what constitutes male-appropriate and female-appropriate behavior as models for their imitative performance. Exp I, with 48 male and 48 female 8–9 yr olds, confirmed that children engage in these processes. Exp II, with 42 male and 42 female 8-yr-olds, extended the validity of the formulation. It was shown that a child's imitation of an adult is strongly influenced by the degree to which the child believes that the adult usually displays behaviors that are appropriate to the child's sex. Present results reinstate same-sex imitation as a viable mechanism of sex role development. (33 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Correlates of mental illness: A neglected problem in demonstrating the "mental illness culture."

Criticizes I. Silverman and D. Saunders's (1983; see also PA, Vol 67:1855) study of the relationship between physical proximity of psychiatric facilities and patient admission rates. It is suggested that Silverman and Saunders have not used reliably measured and reported behavioral correlates of mental illness; have incorrectly concluded that proximity of the facility creates, in the surrounding area, the perception of undesirable behavior as mental illness; and may simply have demonstrated that admissions tend to reflect logistical convenience of beds, regardless of the type of treatment facility. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Teaching mental health and law: A reply to Shealy.

Comments on the article by A. E. Shealy (see record 2005-09632-004) describing the teaching approach in forensic psychology. The current author notes that if, as Shealy proposes, advantages and positive rewards are available to psychologists participating in the judicial system, then it is also important to evaluate the negative aspects. Furthermore, a confrontation of the inequities with the advocate and adversarial approach needs more exploration in Shealy's system. The author describes a graduate program in forensic psychology at the University of Washington, in which students in law, psychiatry, and psychology, psychology interns, and other health science professionals will be able to participate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Teaching mental health and law: A reply to Goldenberg.

In a recent article Goldenberg (1978) indicated that Shealy (1977), in his presentation of a format for teaching mental health workers basic forensic procedures and issues, failed to specify the potential rewards and costs of courtroom participation. Having participated as clinical psychology interns in a forensic psychology seminar led by and modeled after Shealy's (1977) format, the authors felt they could offer a meaningful rejoinder based on their personal experiences with both the rewards and potential pitfalls of such judicial participation, and on our understanding of the basic adversary nature of the legal system. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A reply to Page: Fraud, pornography, and the Meese Commission.

Criticizes S. Page's (see record 1989-29305-001) endorsement of the Meese pornography commission (Department of Justice, 1986), his attack on pornography researchers, and his justification of severe legal restrictions on pornography based on present research evidence. Page's suggested correlation between increased pornography and crime in North America is also critiqued. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The jury is still out: A reply to Deffenbacher.

Responds to comments by K. A. Deffenbacher (see record 1985-20010-001) concerning the present authors' (see record 1984-06612-001) arguments against the use of psychological testimony on eyewitness reliability. It is argued that there is currently no sufficient basis for the conclusion that jurors need to be made more skeptical of eyewitness testimony or that psychology can provide useful information concerning areas such as the decline of retention with time or the effect of arousal levels on eyewitness performance. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The depressing nature of current understanding of research on gender and depression: A reply to Page.

Responds to comments by S. Page (see record 1991-04686-001) on J. M. Stoppard's (see record 1989-29654-001) assertion that the greater incidence of depression (DP) among females stems from their position in a male-biased society. Data are presented to show the greater incidence of DP among females. A greater understanding of the relation of gender to DP must be based on patients' experiences in their daily lives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The factor-analytic approach to intelligence is alive and well: A review of Carroll, J. B. (1993). Human cognitive abilities: A survey of factor-analytic studies.

Reviews the book, Human cognitive abilities: A survey of factor-analytic studies by J. B. Carroll (see record 1993-97611-000). Carroll divides his book into three parts. The first is a historical and conceptual review of psychometric theory. Carroll begins by clearly defining and differentiating key concepts such as ability, aptitude, achievement, latent trait, and intervening variable, although recognizing that in practice it is often difficult to make absolute distinctions. The second part, and the bulk of the book, is a detailed analysis and synthesis of a myriad of findings in the area of cognitive abilities. In the third part of his book, Carroll summarizes his undertaking and addresses traditional concerns and controversies. He compares and contrasts his model of cognitive abilities with that of others. Although Carroll's book does not and indeed cannot resolve the issues and controversies concerning the nature of human cognitive abilities, it does represent a notable contribution to our ongoing endeavours. It undoubtedly is a book that anyone interested in cognitive abilities would wish to explore because of its encyclopedic, in-depth coverage of the topic. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Families, culture, and mental illness: constructing new realities

In Modern Western cultures, conceptual models of mental illness are interwoven with value systems of individualism, agency, internal locus of control, and fear of dependency. These values have translated into psychological theory and practice, affected families' relationships with the professional, legal, and consumer communities and have often exacerbated family burden. Culturally patterned attributions of individual accountability also affect family-patient interactions and may have an effect on relapse and prognosis. The family and consumer movements are discussed in terms of their orientations, services, social impact, and influence on epistemology, particularly with reference to the different effects of protective paternalism and individualistic autonomy. Questions are raised regarding cultural values and differential prognoses in modern and developing countries and whether the process of recovery may be shaped by different cultural introjects. It is suggested that the era of family and consumer empowerment may be heuristic in discovering parameters of mental illness and potential for recovery, and ideas are offered for future cross-cultural research.     

The myth of mental illness.

"My aim in this essay is to raise the question 'Is there such a thing as mental illness?' and to argue that there is not." Major sections are: Mental Illness as a Sign of Brain Disease; Mental Illness as a Name for Problems in Living; The Role of Ethics in Psychiatry; Choice, Responsibility, and Psychiatry; and Conclusions. Mental illness "is a myth, whose function it is to disguise and thus render more palatable the bitter pill of moral conflicts in human relations." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex and mental illness: The generosity of females.

Female department store clerks met a male confederate who was presented as normal or mentally ill and acted calm or nervous and agitated. Results show that (a) the presence of tension led to rejection, while a history of mental illness had no effect; and (b) in contrast to previous studies which found no sex differences in attitudes toward the mentally ill, women were more accepting and generous than men toward the mentally ill. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mental illness and mental retardation: Message from the President of the United States relative to mental illness and mental retardation.

2 health problems of critical size and tragic impact are mental illness and mental retardation. "There are now about 800,000 such patients in this Nation's institutions—600,000 for mental illness and over 200,000 for mental retardation." A 3-fold attack is proposed: (a) Ascertain causes and eradicate them. (b) Strengthen underlying resources of knowledge and of skilled manpower. (c) Strengthen and improve facilities serving the mentally ill and mentally retarded. A national program for mental health is proposed which emphasizes comprehensive community mental health centers, improved care in state mental institutions, and expansion of research activities and increase in professional manpower. A national program to combat mental retardation emphasizing prevention, community services, and research is also proposed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The science of infanticide and mental illness.

Women who murder their children have been the subject of intensive media and public scrutiny. Reactions have varied from horror at the cruelty of the act to sympathy for the perpetrator, based on the belief that the mother must have been severely mentally disordered or at least suffering from a diminished mental capacity at the time of the offense. As a result, the English and American legal systems have adopted very different legal responses to this crime. Underlying these legal positions are assumptions about the effect of childbirth on mental status and the relation of mental status to the legal criteria necessary to meet a legal defense (e.g., insanity) or necessary to justify charging the offender with a lesser crime. This article critically considers the scientific knowledge on infanticide and mental illness to determine the appropriateness of these assumptions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)