Review of Biological barriers in behavioral medicine.

Reviews the book, Biological barriers in behavioral medicine, edited by Wolfgang Linden (see record 1988-97563-000). Research and practice in behavioural medicine have made significant progress in addressing important health problems. Recognizing this, Linden's goal is to bring together, in one volume, a critical review of knowledge relevant to the identification of biological boundary conditions currently constraining further progress within the field. In the process of articulating current boundaries, Linden's aim is to raise new questions and to stimulate further thinking and development within the discipline. The overarching issue to be addressed in each of the contributions is the delineation of "the ways in which failure and shortcomings of particular behavioural approaches to medical problems can be attributed to biological limitations that may be so powerful that they can override the impact of psychological and behavioural interventions." Ten important problem areas, commonly identified with the broad domain of behavioural medicine, have been selected and are reviewed by 22 authors. As is true of many edited volumes, some of the contributions have been more successful than others in achieving the heuristic objectives of the book. Although all of the chapters present interesting information regarding biological and behavioural perspectives on important health problems, some do not seem to achieve the objectives of integrating the two types of information in identifying biological barriers to continued progress in behavioural medicine or in providing suggested solutions. Although considerable progress is being accomplished in understanding and clinically managing a variety of problems within behavioural medicine, it is clear that a critical analysis of the type initiated in Biological barriers in behavioural medicine has much to offer in terms of stimulating new ideas and approaches. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The integration of behavior.

Reviews the book, The integration of behavior by Thomas M. French (1952). In this fundamental contribution to Ego psychology French undertakes to elucidate the workings of integrative mechanisms, using as illustrative material the record of the analysis of an asthmatic patient. The first volume--Basic Postulates (see record 1952-05902-000) presnts, in a first approximation, the conceptual framework evolved by French, exemplifying the "basic postulates" by instances taken from everyday normal behavior and from some of the patient's dreams. In the second volume--The Integrative Process in Dreams (see record 1954-05671-000) the author brings detailed analyses of several sequences of the patient's dreams, elaborating the integrative processes and the system of personal patterns reflected in these dreams. French's undertaking can be considered as one of the most valuable among the current attempts to evolve a systematic "ego psychology," centering it on the successfully integrated behavior, on constructive, rather than defensive, functions of the psychic organization. Through a judicious selection of concepts and theories that have both a high explanatory power and a close fit to facts, he tries to "bring into resonance" not only the rational and irrational behavior, but also many other dichotomous areas and approaches of the personality study. Personality psychologists will certainly welcome this attempt at overcoming the segregation of various approaches to the study of human behavior, even if one may disagree with the specific selections French makes, and regret the fact that the inclusion of so many theories and speculations tends to obliterate the main outlines of the work. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Self-control and self-modification of emotional behavior.

Reviews the book, Self-control and self-modification of emotional behavior edited by Kirk R. Blankstein and Janet Polivy (1982). This volume incorporates a range of diverse views on self-control and an application of these varied perspectives to several types of emotional behaviours. The specific content of the chapters ranges through ageing, alcohol use and abuse, loneliness, the Type A coronary-prone behaviour pattern, eating behaviour, and self-help approaches to self-management. While there is a bias towards a behavioural perspective on self-control and self-modification, the text generally reflects a multi-theoretical approach to theory and clinical practice. This book offers a wide variety of theory and content around the general issue of self-control. Each chapter stands on its own, and the text will find its most utility among researchers and clinicians in each specific area of interest. It is in the collection of these specific chapters that the book makes its contribution to the field. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The psychology of the criminal act and punishment.

Reviews the book, The psychology of the criminal act and punishment by G. Zilboorg (see record 1954-08875-000). This book examines the motivation and consequences of punishment of the criminal and points to the "curative powers of healthy self-punishment which never becomes hostility." The author presents excellent suggested courtroom ethics for the representatives of the behavior sciences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of A Triune Concept of the Brain and Behaviour.

Reviews the book, A Triune Concept of the Brain and Behaviour by Paul D. MacLean, edited by T. J. Boag and D. Campbell. This volume contains the three Hincks Memorial Lectures given by Paul D. MacLean at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario together with a number of supporting papers. The lectures were given in 1969 but not published until four years later. MacLean first presents an evolutionary view of the brain as having developed in three stages with each stage being superimposed upon the previous one. The scope of MacLean's discourse is very wide and, as is common in lectures of this type, rather speculative. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The justice motive in social behavior.

Reviews the book, The Justice Motive in Social Behavior, edited by Melvin J. Lerner and Sally C. Lerner (1981). This edited book is the result of a conference held at the University of Waterloo. Here (September 1978) an interdisciplinary group of experts sought answers to the question, "How can the human concern with justice provide opportunities for constructive responses to future social dilemmas which may involve scarcity of resources and rapid change?" The 20 chapters are directly or indirectly related to this question, and the book is extremely timely and thought-provoking. This is an important book and should be a welcome addition to anyone interested in the implications for justice in the not-too-distant scarcity-laden future. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Assessment and modification of emotional behavior.

Reviews the book, Assessment and Modification of Emotional Behavior edited by Kirk R. Blankstein, Patricia Pliner, and Janet Polivy ( 1980). This book brings together a collection of papers by participants at a symposium held at the University of Toronto's Erindale College. Although both assessment and modification are treated within each paper, the book can be divided into roughly two parts. Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 7 focus on assessment. Both Averill and Zuckerman raise the issue of why negative emotional terms occur more often in both psychology and the common vocabulary. Zuckerman argues convincingly that therapy removing unpleasant emotions is dealing with only one half of the problem and it might be useful to induce pleasant emotions since these may "innoculate" clients against future negative experiences. Plutchik reviews his theory on the evolutionary origins of emotions and extends it to the identification of traits and defense mechanisms. Meichenbaum's chapter on "cognitive ethology" discusses the two-way relationship between emotions and cognitions and reviews different procedures for studying cognitions accompanying emotional behaviour. The remainder of the book deals with modification of behaviour and includes chapters on depression, anxiety, and heart attack related stress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Psychology: The unity of human behavior.

Reviews the book "Psychology: The unity of human behavior," by Timothy J. Gannon (see record 1954-06735-000). This volume is an introductory textbook of psychology for college students. In addition to a somewhat different organization of the material and a different emphasis accorded to various topics Gannon's book introduces certain theoretical considerations which are not ordinarily found in most textbooks. The book is divided into four parts: The first part, the shortest, is a general introduction. The second, entitled "Reception," deals with sensation and perception. The author, in discussing perception, particularly stresses the neural correlates of perception and the localization of functions in the brain. The third, "Response," contains the discussion of reflexes, drives, and emotions. The fourth and last part, "Integration," is the longest, constituting almost half of the book. The principal concern of the author is to present all experiences, and all behavior, as integrated manifestations of a single living person. The entire book is characterized by an effort to present to the student not merely a survey of psychological problems and known facts about man but to provide him at the same time with a concept of man's nature which would serve as a key to the understanding of man as such. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The domestic assault of women: Psychological and criminal justice perspectives.

Reviews the book, The domestic assault of women: Psychological and criminal justice perspectives by Donald A. Dutton (1988). This book provides a comprehensive analysis of battered women and their husbands by integrating current theories and research on violence and victimization within a social psychological perspective. The book is divided into seven chapters. The first chapter outlines the current data on the incidence of wife assault and proposes a theoretical framework for understanding the problem. The next two chapters outline the theory and research available on men who assault their partners. Chapter four details the impact of violence on victims and provides some explanations for battered women becoming "prisoners" in their own home. Chapter five details the shortcomings of the criminal justice response to battered women. Chapter six provides some more optimistic information on treatment programs for violent husbands. The book ends with a section on future trends, including current research programs on children who witness violence in their homes. Overall, the book is well written and demonstrates Dutton's excellent analytical skills. He has an ability to integrate diverse theoretical models on family violence with current research studies in the field. His understanding of battered women and their husbands flows dramatically into the dismal record of the criminal justice system in providing a meaningful response to the problem. His analysis of current treatment programs offers some valuable insight to the reader on the most effective strategies for this population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Effective Correctional Treatment.

Reviews the book, Effective Correctional Treatment by Robert R. Ross and Paul Gendreau (Eds.) (1980). This collection of both reprinted and original chapters was developed in response to the sometimes heated debate in the criminal justice field over the effectiveness of a variety of interventions with both pretrial and sentenced persons. This debate was intensified with the publication of a book by Robert Martinson and his colleagues which summarized their review of a large number of corrections treatment programs. What has changed since the Martinson review? Are treatment programs more effective and/or better evaluated? The Ross and Gendreau book nicely addresses both these questions. Apart from an overemphasis on juvenile programs, this is a highly valuable collection of papers. It clearly could serve as an excellent undergraduate text in a number of criminology, psychology, or social work courses and also as a sourcebook for criminal justice workers who are interested in creating new programs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Mental Disorder and Criminal Responsibility.

Reviews the book, Mental Disorder and Criminal Responsibility edited by Stephen J. Hucker, Christopher D. Webster and Mark H. Ben-Aron (1981). This book comprises a dozen papers, by judges, lawyers, psychiatrists, psychologists and a professor of English language and literature, all intended to elucidate the concept of criminal responsibility. The Editors' intent was to accomplish this by bringing together "the perspectives of all the professional disciplines whose specialties intersect in this area." Given that goal, the papers are a mixed bag. Three of them, written by members of the legal profession are thoughtfully cogent; the others make, at best, modest contributions and, at worst, add confusion to an appreciation of the issues. Achievement of the book's goals is impeded also, by the omission of several of the "professional disciplines whose specialties intersect in this area," notably philosophy, sociology, history and criminology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Understanding biological psychiatry.

Reviews the book, Understanding biological psychiatry by Robert J. Hedaya (see record 1996-97828-000). This book is designed to bridge the gap between most psychotherapists and the topic of psychotropic medication. The clearly stated intention of Hedaya's book is to provide non-physician mental health practitioners with an adequate understanding of biologic mechanisms in the major mental disorders, sufficient for them to make informed decisions about whom to refer, when to refer, and how to evaluate outcomes. On the whole, the reviewer thinks Hedaya's book succeeds mightily. His contact with the basic literature surrounding the various disorders, including OCD, the impulse disorders, substance use difficulties, and attentional problems, all mark this as a sophisticated text that is broadly applicable for psychotherapists. This is true virtually regardless of the domain of human difficulties with which readers regularly work. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Understanding peer influence in children and adolescents.

Reviews the book, Understanding peer influence in children and adolescents edited by Mitchell J. Prinstein and Kenneth A. Dodge (see record 2008-08239-000). Peer influence on children and adolescents is the subject of many myths and fears. Many parents and teachers loathe it because they understand it as a force beyond their control and as a force that is likely to undermine their efforts at socializing their children according to their wishes and values. The first two sections of this book constitute beyond any doubt the most articulate and most informative account of extant theoretical models explaining the mechanisms of peer influence. The final section of the book opens with an interesting consideration of the influence of peers at the intimate, dyadic level—the influences of romantic partners. The book closes with a brief chapter on the motives underlying the emulation or tolerance of bullying behaviour by peers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Industrial conflict.

The subject of industrial conflict is so broad that one would hope for its treatment to be lengthy, interdisciplinary, and to encompass many specific topics and viewpoints. As such, this book, written under the sponsorship of SPSSI, meets all one's expectations. It sets out with the ambitious purposes of analyzing the determining factors and conditions which give rise to industrial conflict and of assessing various efforts of solution. The book is divided into five main parts: (a) basic issues concerning industrial conflict; (b) roots of industrial conflict (motivational analysis, organization and leadership of groups in conflict, social and economic influences); (c) dealing with industrial conflict (accommodating to conflict, efforts to remove sources of conflict, social control of industrial conflict); (d) industrial conflict in other societies, and (e) Industrial conflict, present and future. Thirty-nine different authors, including academicians, writers, labor leaders, and industrial representatives, have contributed to the book's forty chapters. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Parapsychology: Science or Magic.

Reviews the book, Mental Disorder and Criminal Responsibility edited by Stephen J. Hucker, Christopher D. Webster and Mark H. Ben-Aron ( 1981). This book comprises a dozen papers, by judges, lawyers, psychiatrists, psychologists and a professor of English language and literature, all intended to elucidate the concept of criminal responsibility. The Editors' intent was to accomplish this by bringing together "the perspectives of all the professional disciplines whose specialties intersect in this area." Given that goal, the papers are a mixed bag. Three of them, written by members of the legal profession are thoughtfully cogent; the others make, at best, modest contributions and, at worst, add confusion to an appreciation of the issues. Achievement of the book's goals is impeded also, by the omission of several of the "professional disciplines whose specialties intersect in this area," notably philosophy, sociology, history and criminology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The adaptive design of the human psyche.

Reviews the book, The adaptive design of the human psyche by Malcolm Owen Slavin and Daniel Kriegman (see record 1992-98703-000). The adaptive design of the human psyche offers an evolutionary perspective on the mind. Reasoning from natural selection, it holds that over the estimated 50 million years or 10 million generations since man parted company from the chimpanzee, deep psychological structures evolved that enhanced man's chances for survival and procreation. These structures are considered in the context of current psychoanalytic theoretical models, which the authors see as being organized around two divergent paradigms: the classical and relational models. After identifying the deep structures and their implications for both models, the authors attempt a synthesis compatible with the deep structures. The authors make a novel contribution to psychoanalytic thought, and their arguments should serve as a corrective for elements of both the classical and relational theories. In their enthusiasm, however, they appear to be earned away when they discuss certain clinical concepts and reach conclusions that are quite incongruent with clinical experience. In summary, The adaptive design of the human psyche makes an important contribution as a corrective for certain extreme tenets of existing theories and presents valuable perspectives on the phenomena of altruism and parent-offspring conflict. The work is hurt, however, by the authors' failure to acknowledge the nature of real psychopathology in pressing their conceptualization of an evolved adaptive design of the psyche. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Brain, environment and social psychology.

Reviews the book, Brain, Environment and Social Psychology by J. K. Chadwick-Jones, I.I. Lenzer, J. A. Darley and K. A. Hill (1979). The best chapter in this book is James Darley's on ethology and animal behaviour. This chapter provides a clear exposition of basic ethological concepts, and some excellent examples of how ethology differs from comparative psychology, and some excellent examples of the interaction of hereditary and environmental factors in the control of animal behaviour. Other relatively strong chapters include Irmingard Lenzer's chapter on human neuropsychology and Kenneth Hill's chapters on social perception and communication in children. The weakest chapters in the book are those by Chadwick-Jones on methods in social psychology (Chapter 5), and language and social behaviour (Chapter 6). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)