"The Problem of Validity in Field Studies of Psychological Disorder": Erratum.

Reports an error in the original article by Bruce P. Dohrenwend and Barbara Snell Dohrenwend (Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1965, 70[1], 52-69). The footnote identification in Table 6 (page 62) in the original article is incorrec. The correct version is given here. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1965-08281-001.) Results of over 25 attempts to count untreated cases of psychological disorder in community populations are reviewed, and the problem of validity in the measures of disorder is analyzed. Evidence of validity is found to be scant. The position is taken that, with no generally accepted criteria available, and no universe of content agreed upon, construct validity takes on added importance. A lead to 1 possible nomological net for the construct of psychological disorder is the consistent finding that the lowest socioeconomic stratum has the highest rate of symptomatology. This lead is developed with reference to the transcience of symptomatology found in extreme situations, in contrast to the persistence of symptomatology observed in patients and in studies of experimental neurosis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Save the piecesp A note on "The role of the family in the development of psychopathology."

Corrects factual mistakes in Frank's (see 39:6) report of the method and results of a study by Zuckerman, Oltean, and Monashkin, and disputes his treatment of other studies. Frank questioned the value of a retrospective statistical approach to the study of the role of the family in psychopathology. Examples are cited to show that this approach has contributed to the discovery of etiology in other disorders. Considering the possible multiplicity of factors in the etiology of behavior disorders and the lack of reliability in the instruments used, it is reasonable to demand replication but unreasonable to demand that groups be separated with no overlap. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of the family in the development of psychopathology.

Psychologists generally make the assumption that the experiences to which the individual is exposed over a period of time lead to the development of learned patterns of behavior. From this, psychologists have reasoned that the experiences the individual has in his early life at home, with his family, in general, and his mother, in particular, are major determinants in the learning of the constellation of behaviors subsumed under the rubric, personality, and in particular, the development of psychopathology. A review of the research of the past 40 yr. failed to support this assumption. No factors were found in the parent-child interaction of schizophrenics, neurotics, or those with behavior disorders which could be identified as unique to them or which could distinguish one group from the other, or any of the groups from the families of the controls. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of positive emotion in the therapeutic process of family therapy.

Historically, the role of positive emotions has been somewhat obscured in family therapy by focus on relational processes, behavioral sequences, and interactional patterns. Despite increasing interest in the role of positive emotions in the field of psychology, little attention has been given to these issues in family therapy. As a result, the specific role of positive emotions is neither theoretically nor clinically well understood. The authors analyze the role of positive emotions in Functional Family Therapy, a model in which positive emotions serve as a key element in the proximal and distal outcomes of the phase-based systematic change process. The authors suggest that the important question is not if but how positive emotions are important. It is apparent that positive emotions play a vital role in family therapy. However, the authors are only beginning to uncover the abundant complexities tied to the therapeutic role of positive emotions within the relational patterns of families. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"The Meaning and Measurement of Ego Development": Erratum.

reports an error in the original article "The Meaning and Measurement of Ego Development" by Jane Loevinger (American Psychologist, 1966, 21, 195-206). The entry in the first row of the fourth column of Table 1 on page 198 should read "Self versus nonself." (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1996-08890-001): Defense of research workers in clinical psychology. Ego development is "second only to intelligence in accounting for human variability [and] must become a focal construct in psychological theory and research." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The decade of behavior: An opportunity for family psychology.

In the past, we have had the decade of the brain. Now, as behavioral scientists and practitioners, it is our turn and the period from 2000-2010 is the Decade of Behavior. The American Psychological Association's Board of Scientific Affairs initiated this idea, which is now sponsored by a host of behavioral and social science organizations. With an advisory committee representing a dozen disciplines, this is a ground-breaking multidisciplinary effort that aims to raise awareness of the importance of behavioral aspects of our lives. Five major themes guide this initiative: health, safety, education, prosperity, and democracy. I want to bring this important idea to your attention as both readers and authors of articles in the Journal of Family Psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A legal perspective on family psychology and family law: Comment on the special issue.

A certified family law practitioner reviews the articles in this special issue and discusses how the research and conceptual discussions in the articles are invaluable to family law professionals. The recognition of the interaction between mental health and family court professionals is essential to strengthen collaboration and more positive outcomes. Some questions are raised about the sampling and generalizability of some of the studies, and there is strong encouragement for further scholarship in these areas and dissemination to family law professionals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Family psychology and family law--a family court judge's perspective: Comment on the special issue.

This comment presents the responses of an experienced family court judge to the eight articles published in this special issue. The value of these scholarly articles to family court judges is enormous. Judges have little, if any, formal training in family dynamics and child development, yet are called upon to make rulings in complex cases that have life-long ramifications for all family members. The changing demographics and current realities of traditional and nontraditional family structures in our society as well as the increasing divorce rates have widened the gap between legal precedence and current social science research. It is essential that the material covered in this issue can be accessible to family law personnel in language that they can understand and learn from. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Commonality and stability of word association responses in good and poor premorbid schizophrenics": Erratum.

Reports an error in the original article by Paul R. Dokecki, Lewis G. Polidoro, and Rue L. Cromwell (Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1965, 70, 312-316). On page 315, there are statistical inaccuracies in the section entitled Stability Scores (SS). In the simple randomized design analysis of variance the F and t values should have been larger. Specifically, F = 4.10 (df = 2/51, p PPS (t = 2.47, df = 51, p PPS (t = 2.47, df = 51, p I on stability (F = 9.51, df = 1/48, p 1965-16191-001.) The validity of the commonality of response construct and stability of associations over time were investigated in 18 good premorbid schizophrenics (GPS), 18 poor premorbids (PPS), and 18 tuberculosis control Ss (TB). The Kent-Rosanoff Word Association Test was administered on 2 occasions separated by 48 hrs. Results showed TB = GPS > PPS on both commonality of association and stability of responses. This finding suggests the inadequacy of the notion of a universal deficiency in schizophrenic associational processes. Differences were also found between the cultural response style (C) and the idiosyncratic response style (I) on stability, with TBI = GPSI > PPSI and TBC = GPSC > PPSC. Regardless of presence or absence of psychopathology, C was greater than I on the stability measure. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Family psychology and family law: Introduction to the special issue.

This special issue of the Journal of Family Psychology evolved from the work of the Forensic Task Force of Division 43, American Psychological Association, members of which have been studying and working with the emerging, complex issues occurring at the intersection of family psychology and family law. This issue is an endeavor to bring together current research and paradigm development that has relevance not only to family psychologists who have expertise in systems and developmental theories but also to forensic psychologists who have expertise in individual assessment but may lack experience in a systems-ecological framework. A primary goal of this special issue is to introduce readers to new and emerging opportunities for research and practice in the areas where family psychology and family law overlap. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The wise baby meets the enfant terrible: The evolution of Ferenczi's views on development.

Ferenczi's interest in the mental life of children and its effects on the psychology of the adult can be traced back to his initial encounter with psychoanalysis in the first decade of the 20th century, and the development of his technical and theoretical formulations can be discerned in the context of 3 distinct transferential phases in his relationship with Freud. In the final phase, Ferenczi introduced modifications in his technique to accommodate patients whose symptoms could be traced to early developmental disturbances. S. Ferenczi's (1931/1955) late paper, "Child Analysis in the Analysis of Adults," attempts to address the technical difficulties encountered in treating these patients and sets the stage for the bitter dispute that sullied his personal relations with Freud. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Manual of Child Psychology": Erratum.

Reports an error in the review by Roger G. Barker of the L. Carmichael edited book, Manual of Child Psychology (Psychological Bulletin, 1955, Vol 52[3], 263-267). The sentence on page 266, right-hand column, should read "However, this reader found intriguing the world view so boldly sketched." (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 2005-10141-002). This book is a good picture of child psychology in 1954. The weaknesses of the Manual are largely the weaknesses of the science it surveys. A good manual of child psychology awaits a more mature science of child behavior. In the meantime this book and, it is to be hoped, its future editions provide an important aid in achieving this maturity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Chicago Five: A family group of integrative psychobiologists.

The "Chicago Five" was a group of integrative psychobiologists, including F. A. Beach, D. O. Hebb, D. Krech, N. R. F. Maier, and T. C. Schneirla, all of whom worked with K. S. Lashley at the University of Chicago during 1929-1935. Although they went on to careers in diverse fields of psychology, their approaches reflect a set of underlying themes that can be traced to their experiences in Chicago. Nine primary beliefs that, with occasional exceptions, underlie their work are delineated. The term family is proposed to refer to a group of psychologists who share a common professional development in one place within a limited time period and whose later work, although it may be diverse, reflects commonalities that may be traced to that experience. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social development from infancy to adolescence: Longitudinal and concurrent factors in an adoption sample.

In the present longitudinal study, early adopted children (N = 160) were followed from infancy to adolescence to assess the influence of previous and concurrent factors on the children's social development. This study allowed for more conclusive evidence of the influence of early and concurrent rearing experiences and temperament on adolescents' social development, independent of shared genetic factors between children and parents. Results showed that social development and temperament were stable over time and that both previous and current parental sensitivity were important in predicting social development in adolescence. Quality of the early parent-child relationship was indirectly associated with social development in adolescence through the influence on social development in middle childhood. Maternal sensitivity in middle childhood and in adolescence partly buffered the negative effects of difficult temperament on social development in adolescence. Adaptation emerged as the product of both developmental history and current circumstances. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The interface of work and family life.

Dramatic changes in the workforce and workplace contribute to the need for a synthesis of knowledge on the interdependence of family life, work, and the vocational development of children, adolescents, and adults. Four prominent themes in the work and family literature are reviewed with the intention of providing guidance for all applied psychologists. These include (a) the meaning of work embedded in people's lives, (b) multiple life roles, (c) work and family navigation, and (d) supportive family systems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Fathers who fail: Shame and psychopathology in the family system.

Reviews the book, Fathers who fail: Shame and psychopathology in the family system by Melvin R. Lansky (see record 1992-98607-000). Melvin Lansky's riveting book is about fathers who cannot find their way in the world of either love or work, but are driven to self-destructive bonds with others by problems with their "paternal imago." This book addresses the central role of the affect of shame, and the defenses against experiencing it, leading to varieties of "impulsive" symptom formation, disturbing the capacity for sustaining work or love relationships and constantly threatening breakdown of fragile self-esteem. Symptoms are viewed as failed efforts to escape shame through rage and to rigidly regulate optimal distance in family relationships. The attempt throughout is to meld a variety of psychoanalytic perspectives with family systems perspectives. The book is organized into several sections, beginning with an overview entitled Symptom, System and Personality in Fathers Who Fail, followed by The Paternal Imago. Next comes Defenses Against Shame: Narcissistic Equilibrium in the Family System, and then a section on shame and symptom formation. A section entitled Treatment Difficulties completes the book. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Fathers who fail: Shame and psychopathology in the family system.

Reviews the book, Fathers who fail: Shame and psychopathology in the family system by Melvin R. Lansky (see record 1992-98607-000). This book is composed of a collection of the author's essays which attempt to understand "the psychiatrically impaired father in a truly dynamic way." Drawing on contemporary psychoanalysis, family systems theory, and the sociology of conflict, Lansky sketches a richly textured portrait of fathers who fail. The reviewer believes that Lansky's probing discussion of narcissistic equilibrium in the family system enables him to chart the likely history of the more intimidating modes of distancing involving impulsive actions of impaired fathers. After summarizing the information presented in each chapter, the reviewer then concludes that the book largely succeeds in its task because it provides a deeper, more integrated clinical understanding of fathers who fail. It is highly recommended for selective reading for therapists and researchers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Future development of psychology and its role in Canadian life: A personal view.

This is not a report; it does not arise from statistical analysis of data, or systematic survey of opinion, or discussions of a committee. There are no findings. This is a statement based on personal impressions gained during my two decades of close association with psychology in Canada. My focus is on consideration of the ways in which psychology, while continuing to flourish as a basic and applied science, may best play its role in promoting public welfare and the attainment of national goals. There are no recommendations. Where appropriate, I have made suggestions, some of which may be useful as starting points of discussions among those concerned with planning the future development of psychology in Canada. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Children's representations of multiple family relationships: Organizational structure and development in early childhood.

The authors examine mutual family influence processes at the level of children's representations of multiple family relationships, as well as the structure of those representations. From a community sample with 3 waves, each spaced 1 year apart, kindergarten-age children (105 boys and 127 girls) completed a story-stem completion task, tapping representations of multiple family relationships. Structural equation modeling with autoregressive controls indicated that representational processes involving different family relationships were interrelated over time, including links between children's representations of marital conflict and reactions to conflict, between representations of security about marital conflict and parent-child relationships, and between representations of security in father-child and mother-child relationships. Mixed support was found for notions of increasing stability in representations during this developmental period. Results are discussed in terms of notions of transactional family dynamics, including family-wide perspectives on mutual influence processes attributable to multiple family relationships. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)