Canadian psychology in a global context.

This article explores the impact that Canadian psychology has had around the world. Canadian discoveries and theories have led to paradigmatic shifts in several different areas of psychology; our ethics codes have influenced guideline and code development in other countries; articles written by Canadian psychologists have a very high impact relative to articles written by colleagues in other G8 countries; and our applied practitioners have contributed services to underprivileged parts of the world. Special emphasis is placed on how the unique character of Canadian society has played an important role in shaping Canadian psychology. The article concludes by reviewing the disadvantages of fragmentation within the discipline and the importance of integrating basic science with psychological application. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recovery: Leaps of faith for addicts and psychologists.

Reviews research supporting a biologic role for addiction and argues that psychologists must become more accepting of 12-step programs for alcoholism and addiction, such as the programs offered by AA. The research indicates that craving for alcohol or drugs involves abnormalities in the reward system in the mesolimbic area of the brain. Research from adoption studies and twin studies also supports a genetic link for alcoholism. Some psychologists have opposed the AA model of recovery for reasons ranging from its "incompatibility" with psychotherapy to its emphasis on the disease concept. This opposition has alienated psychology from a position of influence in addiction treatment. More psychologists should accept these types of recovery programs and integrate them into practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Social Architect.

A recent report of the APA Ad Hoc Committee on the role of the APA in Mental Health Programs and Research (Amer. Psychologist, 1959, 14, 820-825) carries the assertion that "The most recently recognized task of mental health is to bring about individual well being by modifying communities and larger units of society". Still more recently, E. Lowell Kelly (Division 12 Newsletter, 1961, 14) has discussed most provocatively the "image" (and, to me at least, sad future) of clinical psychology. In the course of his presentation he has advanced his personal view that clinical psychology, in order to realize its unique professional potential, might well adopt the Architect rather than the Physician as its model. Psychological "Consultants on Living," in addition to their efforts in relation to psychopathology, would make themselves available "to assist normal people to lead more fulsome lives". While Kelly's general remarks suggest that his Consultants on Living would find their prospective clients among individuals and possible family groups, I see his position as quite compatible with the position taken by the ad hoc committee if we conceive of the "Social Architect" role as including the possibility of assisting people to lead more satisfying lives through their spontaneous association with other people, that is, in the context of their natural groupings in ordinary community life. While I personally believe that the Consultant on Living role calls for broader perspectives than are usually encompassed by the single discipline of psychology, I am unreservedly with Kelly in his ideal. Kelly offered his suggestion of the Architect image for clinical psychology as an expression of a minority view, and my guess is that his appraisal is correct. However, I suspect that there may be among psychologists generally, and even among clinicians, an appreciable number to whom this concept--with its implied direction of evolution--is appealing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

How psychology erodes personhood.

For the purposes of addressing some of our most pressing dilemmas and deficiencies today, in both our society and the field of psychology, it is helpful to think of the last 115 years or so as an evolution, in many quarters, from Victorian character to a painful kind of "empty self" to an even more devastating kind of fragmentation I dub "multiple self." I explore ways in which the DSM is a more or less witting carrier of these troubling forms of personhood, and argue there is no more pressing challenge for us than to recapture part of what we have lost, some sense of character and inviolable integrity, albeit a more flexible one than inhabited the Victorian era, and bring them to life in our era. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Is psychology losing its foundations?

I contend that, together with increasing diversity of subject matter, there is a contraction of methods and approaches in psychology today. There is decreasing room for small, but critical, parts of the field—particularly those in cultural-scientific aspects of psychology, such as the history, philosophy, and theory of psychology and general psychology. These areas provide the foundations of entire discipline. These changes occur in the context of growing anti-intellectualism in society at large and changing pressures in universities. I explore these trends at these three levels: society, universities, and psychology, and suggest some remedies for psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Some observations on the ideology of professional psychologists.

"Analysis of the value position of psychologists starts with an examination of certain of the intellectual postulates and biases of modern psychology. These contribute to what I call the ideology of professional psychologists… . Modern psychology derives its particular orientations in good measure from the social context of American life. The ideology of professional psychology, I shall argue, is linked to the antiphilosophical, antihistorical, narrowly means-oriented and optimistic character of much American thought and culture." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

La psychologie canadienne dans un contexte global.

This article explores the impact that Canadian psychology has had around the world. Canadian discoveries and theories have led to paradigmatic shifts in several different areas of psychology; our ethics codes have influenced guideline and code development in other countries; articles written by Canadian psychologists have a very high impact relative to articles written by colleagues in other G8 countries; and our applied practitioners have contributed services to underprivileged parts of the world. Special emphasis is placed on how the unique character of Canadian society has played an important role in shaping Canadian psychology. The article concludes by reviewing the disadvantages of fragmentation within the discipline and the importance of integrating basic science with psychological application. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The psychologist as front-line mental health consultant in a general hospital.

Describes the experiences and diverse functions of a psychologist who acts as an independent mental health consultant in a general hospital. Particular attention is paid to problems that arise when psyche and soma interface, because these problems require knowledge of biology as well as of psychology. The appropriateness of this role for the psychologist and its acceptability to referring physicians are examined. The particular strengths of the psychologist as a behavioral scientist and the need for continuing education in differential diagnosis when psychological and physiological factors interact are also explored. Professional boundaries and role relations between psychology and related professions are reviewed. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Strength-Centered Therapy: A social constructionist, virtues-based psychotherapy.

This article describes Strength-Centered Therapy, a new therapeutic model based on the positive psychology of character strengths and virtues as well as social constructionist perspectives on psychotherapy. The contributions of the positive psychology of character strengths and social constructionist conceptualizations of psychotherapy are examined. In addition, the theoretical assumptions, applications, and limitations of Strength-Centered Therapy are discussed. It is argued that Strength- Centered Therapy might contribute to the revival of character strengths and virtues in psychotherapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The alcoholic psychologist: Issues, problems, and implications for the profession.

Alcoholism, a major health problem currently being addressed by other professions, has unique features, manifestations, and ramifications for psychologists. Salient aspects of alcoholism in psychology include etiological and motivational factors, characteristic behaviors, and specific risk factors in the work environment of psychologists. Alcoholism, conceptualized as a deeply embedded permanent addiction not resolvable by conscious, planned effort, constitutes a special dilemma for psychologists who hold a strong belief in the powers of the mind and in the capacity to comprehend and alter behavior. Current efforts to effectively and humanely deal with alcoholism within the professions, modeled on self-help principles of Alcoholics Anonymous in combination with professional treatment, are examined, including the present efforts in psychology to deal with distressed psychologists. An advocacy role for the American Psychological Association to assist in the development of a peer-collaborative network for psychologists in recovery is suggested. (58 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Political goals versus scientific truths: A response to Jackson (2003).

Three fundamental issues separate Jackson's (2003) methodological views from mine. One, whereas he believes an absolute moral view can prevail in a democracy, I assume moral pluralism is an inevitable byproduct of an open society. Two, Jackson feels that psychology can identify a correct moral position, whereas I postulate natural science psychology is only capable of revealing the empirical consequences of competing social policies and their moral implications. Three, Jackson espouses a politically active psychology that from my perspective is antithetical to a democratic and scientific ethic. In sum, Jackson's coupling of science with political advocacy will lead to a mistrust of psychology that will deny a democracy the opportunity to base its social policies on reliable psychological information. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Authorizing happiness: Rhetorical demarcation of science and society in historical narratives of positive psychology.

Notwithstanding the numerous critiques that have been leveled at the field of positive psychology over its short history, the field and its practitioners continue to enjoy substantial growth and popularity. Although several factors have no doubt contributed to their advancement, work in the field of science studies suggests that rhetorical demarcation in scientific writing, by which scientific fields establish their domains and distinguish themselves from other forms of intellectual activity, may be equally significant. Such “boundary work” is an important means through which fields defeat their competitors, persuade their public, and compete for legitimacy. In light of this, I examine the discursive demarcation and legitimization of positive psychology as performed through historical narratives of its origins in its own writings. I offer an analysis of the ways in which these narratives exploit alternating and contradictory images of scientists, legitimate scientific activity, and in particular, images of American society, to perform the ideological and rhetorical work of describing, and making visible, the kinds of issues and problems for which positive psychology presents itself as the natural solution. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Obligation of Psychologists.

Contends that while Brayfield's paper (American Psychologist, 1967, 22, 182-186) was a most commendable effort, its emphasis was solely on the role of organized psychology in public affairs. The present author feels that beyond the role of organized psychology, psychologist members of society have a further obligation: to contribute to social, national, and world affairs by helping to resolve critical and major problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Obituary: Isidor Chein (1912-1981).

Presents an obituary for Isidor Chein. During his distinguished career Isidor Chein made significant contributions in many areas of psychology. He devoted himself especially to the study of four topics: attitude change in the context of intergroup relations, group identification among members of minority groups, the psychology of opiate addiction, and a philosophy of science for psychology. Following his death on April 18, 1981, a memorial symposium was held at the 1981 APA convention. In his comments, a colleague and close friend pointed to the quality that most of his friends and associates would agree best describes the essence of Chein's work. "If there is a single Word that I can use to characterize so complex an enterprise as Isidor Chein's psychological outlook," he said, "that word is humanism." Chein's legacy to psychology was indeed enriched by the centrality of this quality in his own life and career. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Taking Practice Seriously: Toward a Relational Ontology.

Mainstream psychologists have not only ignored the unique and radical character of practice; they have generally misunderstood it. A major reason for this ignorance and misunderstanding is mainstream psychology's assumption of a particular ontology--abstractionism. With abstractionism, psychologists have generally assumed that abstractions, such as theories, techniques, and principles, capture and embody the fundamentally real. Most pertinently, abstractions are believed to precede and lay the foundation for good and thoughtful practice. Indeed, practices do not exist, in an important ontological sense, except in relation to the concrete and particular situations and cultures that give rise to them, implying what we might call a relational ontology. The purpose of this article is to explore the possible meanings and implications of a relational ontology for psychology. I first attempt to clarify the important features of relational conceptions in general, distinguishing most importantly between their weak and strong forms. Then, I situate strong or ontological relationality historically by describing its initial embrace and eventual rejection by early scientists. To bring these historical lessons into the present, ontological relationality is next compared to the abstractionist understandings of the real and fundamental in mainstream psychology. These two forms of ontology are then illustrated by exploring their contrasting implications for individual and community identity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Shaping of the science.

Analyzes the development of psychology from the perspective of scientific disciplines as conceptual paradigms shaped over the course of their history by both internal (conceptual, methodological) and external (social, political) factors. Psychology is analyzed as a search for knowledge, as a role for which people are educated, and as an expert skill to be used in the service of society. The impact of both internal and external factors on the shaping of the discipline of psychology is noted. It is stressed that the interplay of these factors in the development of psychology is inevitable, and that its continuing vitality rests on the maintenance of a variety of paradigmatic perspectives. (15 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Visions of addiction: Major contemporary perspectives on addiction and alcoholism.

Reviews the book, Visions of addiction: Major contemporary perspectives on addiction and alcoholism edited by S. Peele (1988). Is alcoholism a disease? If not, what is it? What about drug abuse, smoking, or compulsive gambling? Are they diseases, too? What is "addiction," anyway? Are addictions tangible entities in the world or are they linguistic conventions constructed within the limitations imposed by our cultural circumstances and mechanisms of verbal behavior? What causes such apparently self-destructive behavior? Is it the result of diseased bodies, bad genes, bad personalities, bad habits, bad friends, adaptiveness gone awry, besieged psyches, moral debauchery, perverted values, or spiritual vacuity? What can established institutions do about addiction? How about medicine, psychotherapy, psychology, lay mutual aid groups, science, government, law enforcement, religion, education? What should they do? These are the types of questions raised in this book. The chapters are quite variable in content, scope, focus, and orientation, but all are clearly written and well organized. The book is challenging, thought provoking, informative, and even contains some practical advice. Given its modest size, it is surprising how well it deals with many of the myriad historical, current, and future issues facing the study of addiction. Its impact on the field is an issue for the future, but in the present I believe it deserves the careful attention of serious students of addiction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Beyond Aristotle and Galileo: Toward a contextualized psychology of persons.

Psychologists of my generation will recognize the implicit reference in my title immediately: to Kurt Lewin's (1931) classic paper that introduced most of us to the excitement of his ideas when we read it as the initial chapter of A Dynamic Theory of Personality (Lewin, 1935). When Lewin wrote about "The Conflict Between Aristotelian and Galilean Modes of Thought in Contemporary Psychology" over a half a century ago, it was indeed a breath of fresh air. Along with a very few other books and papers, it stands out saliently in my memory as having had a large part in forming my enduring perspective in psychology. It surely played a similar role for many others, by no means just Lewinians. We cannot readily recall its content since we've absorbed it, and built it into the fabric of our thought. I turn back to Lewin's essay because it represents the psysicalist tradition in psychological theory at its best, free of many faults that tainted the behavioristic expressions of positivism. All the same, the hermeneutic and contextualist critique of positivism should leave us dissatisfied with Lewin's version of a Galilean strategy for psychology. In one respect, thus, I am using this occasion for my own "me-too" endorsement of post-positivist theorizing. My second concern here is to focus attention on the need for a culturally and historically contextualized approach in personality theory. Finally, this occasion lets me talk some sense about post-positivist perspectives in psychology. As usual, the conceptual innovators have not been very reasonable. If a contextualized psychology of persons is to be advanced, we need a more plausible version of contextualism than is being argued by the leading polemicists. This is also an effort, therefore, to domesticate a contextualized approach, to accommodate it to its prospective role of defining a new mainstream of theorizing at the softer, more human end of the psychological spectrum. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reflections of a consulting counseling psychologist: Implications of the principles for education and training at the doctoral and postdoctoral level in consulting psychology for the practice of counseling psychology.

Examines issues related to the "Principles for Education and Training at the Doctoral and Postdoctoral Level in Consulting Psychology/Organizational" (R. L. Lowman et al, Education & Training Committee, see record 2003-04049-003), viewed from the perspective of a counseling psychologist whose primary work role is organizational consultation. The author traces the foundations of counseling psychology as they relate to organizational consulting practice. Comparisons are drawn between unifying themes and roles of counseling psychologists and consulting psychology domains and competencies. Each competency domain is examined with respect to its relative uniqueness or similarity of coverage in counseling psychology training and practice. Issues are raised about the relationship of individual counseling and individual consulting psychology. Suggestions are made about increased inclusion in training of vocational psychology theory, multicultural issues, supervised practicum experience, and role boundary work with respect to consultation and psychotherapy. The Principles are viewed as a resource to counseling psychologists, particularly in defining competencies and training needs related to enhancement of intergroup relations and organizational-wide structural interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)