More on top-ranked departments.

N. S. Endler et al (see record 1979-26949-001) incorrectly reported that 12 schools included in their top 82 US psychology departments in terms of total citations were not included in K. D. Roose and C. J. Andersen's (1970) rating of graduate departments. Actually, 19 schools were omitted in Roose and Andersen's ratings. The 7 schools Endler et al omitted are identified. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The elusiveness of eminence.

Identifies sources of error in the analysis of the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) for 1975 conducted by N. S. Endler et al (see record 1979-26949-001). Problems include combining citations of authors with the same names or initials, incorrectly attributing citations, and attributing citations from such sources as research anthologies to the author who edited the compilation rather than the author who wrote the original article. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Productivity and scholarly impact: Correction for Endler et al.

Corrects an error in the calculation of mean publications for the University of Missouri-Kansas City in an article by N. S. Endler et al (see record 1979-26949-001). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Error in citation analysis.

Questions the accuracy of raw citation data sorted only on the basis of names of investigators, used by N. S. Endler et al (see record 1979-26949-001), as a measure of productivity and scholarly impact in psychology. Until problems of inaccuracy are solved, the question of whether citations measure anything substantive for departments or individuals seems premature. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Who's who in psychology: Endler et al.'s SSCI scores versus a textbook definition.

In an extension of research by N. S. Endler et al (see record 1979-26949-001), citations in 10 introductory psychology textbooks were used as an index of the eminence of psychologists in the US, UK, and Canada. The 10 most prominent psychologists were Freud, Skinner, Piaget, C. Rogers, Pavlov, S. Schachter, A. Bandura, E. Erikson, H. Harlow, and N. Miller. Results are compared with those using the Social Sciences Citation Index. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-reports of depression and state-trait anxiety: Evidence for differential assessment.

Several researchers have found anxiety and depression to be indistinguishable in nonclinical samples and have suggested that both constructs may be components of a general psychological distress process. Another possibility is that overlap is due to the psychometric limitations of scales used. A series of exploratory factor analyses were conducted in a nonclinical sample (N?=?605) using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Endler Multidimensional Anxiety Scales (EMAS; N. S. Endler et al, 1991). Both state and trait anxiety and depression could be differentiated with the BDI and the EMAS but not with the STAI. Some theoretical models of negative affectivity or general psychopathology may be premature. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The trait anxiety-perception score: A composite predictor for state anxiety.

This article describes the development and initial evaluation of the A-Trait–Perception (ATP) score, a composite predictor for state anxiety. The ATP score is constructed from trait anxiety and situation perception data derived from the Endler Multidimensional Anxiety Scale by N. S. Endler et al (1989). ATP mathematically combines the individual's trait anxiety and situation perception profiles and adjusts these with a multiplier that reflects the individual's sensitivity to particular types of situational elements in terms of state anxiety inducement. The utility of the resulting composite variable as a predictor of state anxiety was examined in the context of two field studies. Results of both studies indicated that the ATP variable offered a superior prediction of state anxiety, as compared to four individual trait anxiety facets (social evaluation, physical danger, ambiguous and daily routines). The theoretical import of these results is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Definitions and levels of analysis.

Presents concerns with the article by D. M. Buss et al (see record 1998-01669-001). The present author states his main concern as being the suggestion by Buss et al that S. J. Gould (see record 1992-11754-001) was inconsistent in his usage of the term "exaptation," and that his stated definitions seem to require these effects to be biological. Additionally, the author takes issue with the suggestion by Buss et al that Gould used the term to "cover novel but functionless uses or consequences of existing characteristics," and offers his own interpretation of Gould's research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Insufficient evidence.

Comments on the article by F. Rothbaum et al (see record 2000-02781-001), which highlighted evidence of cultural variations in, and noted ways in which attachment theory is laden with Western values and meaning in comparisons of the US and Japan. According to the present author, the Rothbaum et al study is particularly important to Japanese investigators, as the validity of attachment theory has sometimes been taken for granted too easily in Japan. Unfortunately, however, Rothbaum et al overlooked important empirical results that clarify the validity of attachment theory in Japanese samples. The present author contends that Rothbaum et al misunderstood or distorted the meanings of measures that are usually applied in attachment studies, and thus the arguments offered by Rothbaum et al resulted in a superficial critique of the cross-cultural validity of attachment theory. As a result of their failure to present empirical evidence to refute cross-cultural validity in attachment theory, Rothbaum et al did not provide any important challenge to researchers in Japan. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On worthwhile icons: Reply to Di Lollo and Haber.

Responds to R. N. Haber's (see record 1986-11000-001) and V. Di Lollo's (see record 1986-10993-001) comments on the study of a procedure to estimate the worth of an icon conducted by the present author et al (see record 1986-00309-001). In response to Haber, the author maintains that icons can be spatiotopic as well as retinotopic, knowledge of icons is necessary for designing video-display systems, and ecological validity should not be a criterion for the scientific investigation of some topics. Responding to Di Lollo, the author argues that this general model does not account for several salient aspects of data by the present author et al. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Problems with a monolithic APA style.

Comments on the article by R. Madigan et al (see record 1995-31466-001) analyzing the epistemology of APA style. The author argues that critics both in and beyond psychology have challenged the epistemology and details of APA style, pointing to the constraints it places on reporting and knowledge-making processes. References are made to specific problems with APA style including its embodiment of a behaviorist set of assumptions about human beings that many psychologists consider flawed. The author states that in their analysis, Madigan et al relied on the work of scholars outside the discipline. Although the Madigan et al take a sunnier view of APA style than the author, he does agree with them that much can be learned by talking to people beyond one's disciplinary boundaries. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Attachment, culture, and amae.

Comments on the article by F. Rothbaum et al (see record 2000-02781-001), which highlighted evidence of cultural variations in, and noted ways in which attachment theory is laden with Western values and meaning in comparisons of the US and Japan. According to the present author, the evidence and conclusions of Rothbaum et al are flawed. The main critique of the universality of attachment theory offered by Rothbaum et al pertained to cultural differences in how Western and Japanese children use the secure base. In the West, secure attachment is commonly believed to promote exploration. However, the present author points out that Rothbaum et al argued that for Japanese children "the major link is with dependence, and adaptation primarily refers to accommodation, avoidance of loss, fitting in with others, and ultimately loyalty and interdependence". According to the present author, this argument is unsupported by empirical studies, and while being advanced as a challenge to the universalistic core of attachment theory, Rothbaum et al subsequently argued that in Japan, secure attachment leads not to exploration but to amae (dependence). Much empirical work needs to be conducted before Rothbaum et al's proposed link between secure attachment and dependency can be evaluated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Norman S. Endler (1931-2003).

Remembers the life of Norman S. Endler, Distinguished Research Professor (Emeritus) in the Department of Psychology at York University. Endler passed away as a result of a brain tumor in Toronto on May 7, 2003. The author recalls Endler's life and career, highlighting his contributions as a pioneer in espousing an interactional view of personality. Norm is best known for his interactional model of personality, especially as applied to anxiety, stress, and coping (e.g., Endler, "Interactionism: A Personality Model, But Not Yet A Theory" in M. M. Page (Ed.), Nebraska Symposium on Motivation 1981: Personality-Current Theory and Research, 1983). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Integrating culture and attachment.

Comments on the article by F. Rothbaum et al (see record 2000-02781-001), which highlighted evidence of cultural variations in, and noted ways in which attachment theory is laden with Western values and meaning in comparisons of the US and Japan. According to the present author, culture must be defined before considering attachment in cultural contexts, and the Rothbaum et al article compared the Western middle class with the whole Japanese population, with all of its various social groups. Such a cavalier attitude on the part of Rothbaum et al shows a naive enthusiasm for cultural varieties and specifics that, without being balanced with generality, kills theorization. Lack of a proper definition in context combined with naive enthusiasm is reason, according to the present author, for theoretical disaster. Following discussion of the particular disasters of the Rothbaum et al article, the present author proposes a more proper direction for intercultural psychology to take. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Support for the discharge model of emotion: A reply to Zuckerman.

Responds to criticisms by M. Zuckerman (see record 1984-11616-001) of a study by the present author et al (see record 1983-05644-001) which reported evidence in support of the discharge model of the relation between facial expressivity and physiological reactivity. It is argued that Zuckerman's challenge to the Notarius et al study and conclusions is unfounded for 2 reasons: (a) Zuckerman's critique contains several interpretative errors of the Notarius et al study, and (b) subsequent data analysis, recommended by Zuckerman, overwhelmingly supports the original interpretation of the study. (2 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Frequency effects in lexical tasks: Reply to Balota and Chumbley.

In replying to D. A. Balota and J. I. Chumbley's (see record 1990-24407-001) commentary on the article by S. Monsell et al (see record 1989-24836-001), the author addresses four issues. New data show that the effect of frequency on semantic categorization time reported by Monsell et al. was not a disguised typicality effect. An account of the small size of the effect of stress pattern on immediate naming latency observed by Monsell et al. is supplied. Inferences that may and may not be drawn from effects of frequency on delayed naming latency are discussed. The main conclusions and methodological recommendations of Monsell et al. are clarified. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Spandrels in the consulting room.

The author states that D. M. Buss et al (see record 1998-01669-001) instead of embracing the complexity of evolutionary theory, coopted S. J. Gould's (see S. J. Gould and E. S. Vrba, 1982) notion of exaptation for their own purposes. The author takes issue with criticism by Buss et al that Gould did not reduce language, religion, and so on to clear adaptive stories, while revealing their own reductionist agenda regarding their explanation for parental care. He also discusses the mention by Buss et al of constraints on design, but asserts that discussion of this concept, as applied to the evolution of human behavior, did not take into account intervening human neurophysiology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Cognitive-behavioral therapy in geriatric depression": Reply to Riskind, Beck, and Steer.

Responds to the challenge by J. H. Riskind et al (see record 1986-12531-001) to the interpretation by J. L. Steuer et al (see record 1984-21146-001) that changes observed on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in depressed geriatric patients treated with cognitive-behavioral (CB) group psychotherapy did not demonstrate superiority for CB therapy over a psychodynamic approach. Riskind et al proposed that somatic items on the other rating instruments used might not be valid in geriatric patients and thus might render those scales less sensitive. Reanalyses of the psychotherapy data and data from a placebo-controlled study of tricyclic antidepressants by the present 3rd author et al (see record 1983-21474-001) did not support this assertion. Somatic items proved to be sensitive to change in both studies. (8 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On biobehavioral models of cancer stress and disease course.

Comments on the article by B. L. Andersen et al (see record 1994-38031-001) which offered a biobehavioral model of cancer, stress, and disease course. The author suggests that Andersen et al made several errors of both commission and omission while attempting to cite data relevant to their model. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)