Curiosity in young psychologists.

Attempted to determine whether epistemic curiosity as developed by D. E. Berlyne could be demonstrated in 80 intelligent unaware psychologists. Utilizing an empty envelope and 1 containing the 2nd page of a letter, numbers of replies and response patterns supported the presence of epistemic curiosity and the value of the technique used in testing this concept. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Curiosity, achievement, and avoidant motivation as determinants of epistemic behavior.

Measures of n Achievement (n Ach), Test Anxiety (Anx), level of Academic performance (AL), and "Involvement" (Inv) in task content, differentiated students tested for Rote retention and Comprehension of written material under 2 conditions of knowledge seeking: (a) achievement oriented, and (b) curiosity oriented. Predictions from Atkinson's Motive-Expectancy-Incentive (M-E-I) model regarding the superiority of High n Ach, Low Anx over Low n Ach, High Anx Ss, and of High over Low AL Ss, were upheld for Comprehension, but not for Rote, in the Achievement condition. As predicted from a combination of the M-E-I model and Berlyne's theory of epistemic curiosity, superiority of the High AL, High Inv over the Low AL, Low Inv Ss held for both Comprehension and Rote in the Curiosity condition. Hypothesized differences across conditions were partially confirmed. (19 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

What is a delusion? Epistemological dimensions.

Although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) clearly indicates delusions have an epistemic dimension, it fails to accurately identify the epistemic properties of delusions. The authors explicate the regulative causes of belief revision for rational agents and argue that delusions are unresponsive to these. They argue that delusions are (a) protected beliefs made unfalsifiable either in principle or because the agent refuses to admit anything as a potential falsifier; (b) the protected belief is not typically considered a "properly basic" belief; (c) the belief is not of the variety of protected scientific beliefs; (d) in response to an apparent falsification, the subject posits not a simple, testable explanation for the inconsistency but one that is more complicated, less testable, and provides no new corroborations; (e) the subject has a strong emotional attachment to the belief; and (f) the belief is typically supported by (or originates from) trivial occurrences that are interpreted by the subject as highly unusual, significant, having personal reference, or some combination of these. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reactions to Twelve Angry Men as a measure of sensitivity training.

In a series of management training laboratories, a sentence completion film reaction test was developed to detect sensitivity to interpersonal phenomena. The examination has a test-retest reliability of 71. Performance on the test is significantly increased as a consequence of a management training laboratory. The scores match opinions of peers and staff psychologists' appraisals. Sensitivity scores correlate significantly with influence in small group discussions, but not necessarily with job status in one's organization. Young engineers appear to earn particularly low scores. Sensitivity scores seem to bear little relation to whether the individual is self-, interaction-, or task-oriented in groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ontological and Epistemic Claims of Realism and Instrumentalism.

Comment on "Realism, Instrumentalism, and Scientific Symbiosis: Psychological Theory as a Search for Truth and the Discovery of Solutions" by John T. Cacioppo, Gun R. Semin and Gary G. Berntson (see record 2004-14303-001). While Lau admires the authors efforts to negotiate symbiosis with seemingly incommensurate realist and instrumentalist positions in science. They focused very intently on hashing out the impetus and motivations for engaging in scientific activity under these two broad perspectives. Although Cacioppo et al. made attempts to highlight the divergent points of realism and instrumentalism and subsequently how the two may be concurrently adopted in an iteratively reflective manner by scientists, the choice to not fully interrogate for the reader the respective underlying ontological and epistemic assumptions serves to oversimplify the possibility for, and create the illusion of, symbiosis. Lau goes on to expand his point and make the reader understand that realists and instrumentalists often have different agendas and these differences are grounded by particular ontological and epistemic assumptions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The dissemination of psychological research.

Examined the extent to which the research of a group of psychologists was concerned with real-world issues and how they sought to make the findings known in light of J. Kupfersmid's (see record 1989-03023-001) treatment of the issue of psychologists' dissatisfaction with selections made for publication in professional journals. Whether on their own or in the hands of a psychologist, relevant studies rarely reached the desks of policymakers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The geography of APA membership.

APA membership is increasing rapidly. What can we say about this increase? Where are psychologists' centered? What geographical shifts have occurred over the years? Are we "promoting human welfare" throughout the United States or primarily in the more populated areas? We should possess these answers now and we certainly need them for intelligent future planning concerning the most efficient use of psychology. Unfortunately, we do not even know the number of psychologists residing in the various states. The present study was undertaken to answer these questions and also to supply basic data that would diminish the chore of doing additional much needed research in this area. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychology and nuclear war: A chapter in our legacy of social responsibility.

Notes that psychologists' participation in work on nuclear-war-related problems since 1945 has been sporadic and suggests that this sporadic research is related to fluctuating modulations in government policy. The history of these activities is viewed as a case that can be used to evaluate both the underlying forces of psychological research and the feasibility of a professional model of psychologists' social responsibility. The recent activities of psychologists suggest some alternatives for their involvement in global issues, specifically for rethinking what is psychological about such issues and for determining what problems might or should concern psychologists. It is suggested that psychologists must go beyond simply evaluating their science as a corpus of either intellectual innovations or ideologies. (88 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

What is meant by ethics?

Comments on D. W. Wilson and E. Donnerstein's (see record 1977-28625-001) article on the use of public opinion to resolve psychologists' concerns about research ethics, arguing that basic ethical questions cannot be answered by public opinion polls. Ethical research is based on sound scholarship and valid method, and the possible risks and benefits are assessed by people qualified to advise. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Differential dream recall frequency as a component of "life style".

The relation of dream recall frequency (DRF) to variables associated with field independence and motivation to recall was investigated. Recallers have lower M thresholds and do better on the Embedded Figures Test than nonrecallers. High recallers feel more in control of their own lives than low recallers and have less curiosity into noninterpersonal matters. No differences were found in intolerance of ambiguity, total or interpersonal curiosity, future-orientation, or leisure-activity preferences. These findings, in conjunction with what is already known about the correlates of differential DRF, suggest the existence of 2 life styles: the "inner-acceptant," of which high DRF is a component and the "inner-rejectant," of which low DRF is a component. (19 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Psychologist supply, managed care, and the effects of income: Fault lines beneath California psychologists": Erratum.

Reports errors in the original article by D. Pingitore et al (Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 2001, Vol 32[6], 597-606). In the first paragraph on page 601, lines 5-10 should read: "Net income for psychologists aged 40-54 years was significantly greater than for psychologists 39 years and younger (pt test for income differences by age group should be pp>.05). (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 2001-05464-006.) Data from the 2000 California Survey of Psychological Practice (D. Pingitore, R. Scheffler, M. Haley, T. Sentell, & D. Schwalm, 2001) were used to measure psychologists' income variation associated with demographic characteristics, managed care participation rate, and mental health workforce supply concentrations. A 10% increase in the supply of psychologists in a psychologists' market of practice resulted in a $1,749 reduction in income compared with a $1,330 income reduction due to a 10% increase in managed care participation... (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Science, public policy, and legal recognition of same-sex relationships.

In their comments on my article discussing the social science data relevant to societal recognition of same-sex committed relationships (see record 2006-11202-004), Rosik and Byrd (see record 2007-14606-024) and Schiller (see record 2007-14606-025) criticized aspects of my analysis and raised questions about the role of psychology in policy debates concerning sexual orientation. In the limited space available here, I first respond to their specific criticisms and then briefly consider the broader policy question. Both comments raised questions about whether and how psychologists should address policy issues related to sexual orientation. Rosik and Byrd advocated what they called a "measured approach" that "would distinguish the social scientist from the social activist" (p. 712). In practice, however, their measured approach apparently allows for vague constructs (e.g., men's "uncivilized" sexual nature), accepts conservative social activists' assumptions (e.g., about the necessity of marital "gender complementarity"), and ignores data that contradict their predictions (e.g., Badgett, 2004). Thus, it clearly is inadequate as a source for guidance. As for Tyler's fourth criterion (see record 200714606-026), it is difficult to know if and how psychologists' efforts in this arena will be effective. Regardless of the ultimate policy outcome, however, to the extent that we successfully communicate accurate information about the current state of scientific knowledge on sexual orientation and same-sex relationships, we will have remained true to our commitment to take a leading role in removing the stigma associated with homosexuality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Holt .45 misfires: Yet another round of lament and ridicule aimed at psychoanalytic theorizing.

Comments on R. R. Holt's (see record 1992-27289-001) criticism of S. Reisner's (see record 1992-16438-001) interpretation of an object-relational thread running through Freud's writings. According to Holt, such rereadings of Freud are a waste of time; the real problem to which analytic scholars need to address themselves is the sorry epistemic state of psychoanalytic theory. This commentary counterargues that Holt is simply one of a small, but highly visible, group of lamenters for the alleged terminal epistemic illness of psychoanalysis, a group whose modus operandi has been to ridicule anyone who sees in the traditional forms of psychoanalytic theorizing the potential to say anything useful about human psychology. Reisner has, in fact, made an interesting, exciting, and useful contribution to psychoanalytic thinking and to the wider effort of human beings to capture and accurately represent their unconscious processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical and legal issues in AIDS-related practice.

The AIDS epidemic has presented many new ethical dilemmas regarding psychologists' obligations to their clients and third parties. Both ethical and legal norms remain unsettled in regard to most of these dilemmas. In general, psychologists should strive to protect the privacy of their clients and to promote the welfare of individuals affected by AIDS. When compelling interests of third parties lead to a different result, intrusions on clients' interests should be no greater than necessary. Although a lack of training about AIDS may limit psychologists' competence and constrict their duties to people with AIDS, the duty remains for clinicians to obtain training to remediate such gaps in knowledge or skills and to advocate for resources and protection from discrimination for people affected by AIDS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Testimony of an Expert Witness.

Having testified as an expert witness in about half a dozen jury trials where the question of legal insanity was at issue, C. R. Shearn was quite astonished by the examples of psychologists' testimony in similar situations, as given by R. Jeffery ("The Psychologist as an Expert Witness on the Issue of Insanity"; see record 1965-06327-001). Shearn offers four suggestions for psychologists called to testify as expert witnesses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Colorado Clinical Psychology/Expanded Mental Health Benefits Experiment: An introductory commentary.

Introduces the summary report on the Colorado Clinical Psychology/Expanded Mental Health Benefits Experiment presented by N. McCall and T. Rice (see record 1984-21509-001). The project was part of a political educative and decision process designed to answer concerns raised by legislators and administrators about psychologists' capacity to function as independent service providers within the Medicare program. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sport psychology in the profession of psychology.

Historically, sport psychology has been identified with physical education; however, recent developments in the field toward applied issues have substantially expanded psychologists' interests and opportunities. Unfortunately, little is known about professional psychologists' involvement in sport psychology practice, research, and training. Therefore, a national survey of 500 male and 500 female psychologists (American Psychological Association Division 12 members) was conducted. Based on 489 responses, results indicated that psychologists (a) were uninvolved in sport psychology research and teaching and (b) had received minimal training or supervision in the field. Despite this absence of sport science training, many had consulted with (22%) or provided individual therapy to (48%) athletes or sport teams. Implications for psychology training and practice are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Eponymy in psychology.

Inspection of introductory psychology textbooks reveals no significant differences in frequency counts of psychologists' names when subgrouped into "tenderminded" vs. "toughminded" categories (e.g., Freud and other clinicians vs. Skinner and other experimentalists). However, distinctive disproportions were found in frequency counts of individual psychologists' names between textbooks. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Should scientists think? Comment on Machado and Silva (2007).

The author has previously claimed that neural activity in a medial frontal brain area represents conscious motor intentions. A. Machado and F. J. Silva (see record 2007-14606-004) attempted to challenge this claim by arguing that such intentions are not necessarily causally effective and must be caused by something else, so that they therefore cannot be the unmoved first movers in action. The author's reply is that he made no such claims about the causal status and origin of conscious intentions. In fact, he has elsewhere presented empirical evidence in support of the idea that intentions are not necessarily causal. But this does not stop researchers from studying the neural basis for the conscious impression that one intends and wills one's actions. One can feel and attend to such intentions, be they causal or not. The author's claim is that there is neural activity in the medial frontal wall that reflects such conscious feelings. Other recent empirical evidence that supports this view is described. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)