Media psychology: An empirical study of radio call-in psychology programs.

A survey of 368 shopping mall patrons (mean age 37 yrs) showed that 49% listened to radio call-in psychology programs (RCPPs), although listening was usually relatively infrequent. Listeners did not differ from nonlisteners in terms of demographic variables, psychological knowledge or well-being, or previous experience with psychological services. 86% of listeners saw RCPPs as useful, although 50% also noted potential harmful effects. The most common reasons for listening were a desire for personal information, wanting to learn about psychology, the opportunity to hear about others' problems, and amusement. An additional survey of 122 RCPP callers showed that the group was predominantly female (65%) and most commonly lived alone, that a majority of Ss had previously received some psychological treatment, and that they showed poorer psychological health than Ss in the 1st survey. A postcall interview and 3-mo follow-up indicated an improvement in psychological well-being but no change in reported stress. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An empirical analysis of trends in psychology.

The present research examined trends in the prominence of 4 widely recognized schools in scientific psychology: psychoanalysis, behaviorism, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience. The results, which replicated across 3 measures of prominence, showed the following trends: (a) psychoanalytic research has been virtually ignored by mainstream scientific psychology over the past several decades; (b) behavioral psychology has declined in prominence and gave way to the ascension of cognitive psychology during the 1970s; (c) cognitive psychology has sustained a steady upward trajectory and continues to be the most prominent school; and (d) neuroscience has seen only a modest increase in prominence in mainstream psychology, despite evidence for its conspicuous growth in general. The authors use these findings as springboard for discussing different views of scientific prominence and conclude that psychologists should evaluate trends in the field empirically, not intuitively. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An empirical method for determining core psychology journals.

Proposes a technique that yields a "discipline impact factor" (DIF) that measures the number of times a journal is cited in the core literature of a discipline, rather than in the scientific literature in its entirety. The advantage of the DIF method is that it empirically establishes a core list rather than using an a priori or more arbitrary means to determine the limits of what constitutes a core journal. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Trends in family psychology.

Presents an overview of the recent past, the present, and anticipated future trends in the field of family psychology (i.e., the scientific study of the family in terms of its historical forms and variations; structure and functioning across time, space, culture, and generations; and idiosyncratic and systems attributes). Areas discussed include availability of graduate education in family psychology, internship availability, postgraduate training opportunities, clinical practice, research and publications, ethical and legal concerns, credentialing, and impact on other family therapy organizations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Empiricism and empirical psychology.

Comments that the general critique of empirical psychology found in an article by J. Shotter and A. Gauld (see record 1972-01920-001) should be more clearly explicated. Empirical psychology is inadequate for the task of accounting for linguistic abilities and for accounting for any self-directed behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Studying community psychology as a community of professionals: An empirical approach.

Based on the seminal work of T. S. Kuhn (1970, 1977), an ecological and developmental conceptual framework is formulated to guide empirical inquiry on the stature of community psychology. An overview of the framework is presented, specifying "stages" of disciplinary growth and parameters for defining those stages. Data from 2 empirical studies, operationalizing aspects of the framework through a questionnaire survey (of 53 members of American Psychological Association Division 27) and archival methodologies (478 journal articles produced by Division 27 members), are presented. Results show (a) a lack of consensus among community psychologists, (b) continuing ties of community psychologists to clinical psychology, and (c) structural deficits within the discipline that may impede professional development unless rectified. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The defense of empirical psychology.

Discusses D. E. Broadbent's (see pa, vol. 44:17662) defense of empirical psychology which takes the form of an attack on N. Chomsky's notion of transformational grammar. Broadbent holds that (a) key points in the transformational approach are weak in their empirical support, and (b) that sentence construction can be gained from training methods that are acquired empirically. Broadbent's defense is, in turn, questioned through a discussion of the following points: (a) broadbent's empirical theory is logically incoherent, (b) any empirical theories of syntactical rules are subject to objections of a kind chomsky has advanced, and (c) broadbent has failed to come to grips with the notion of the "legitimacy" of sequence of words. (24 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Should large rats be housed in large cages? An empirical issue.

Examined the suggestion of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) that large rats should be kept in cages that are 23 cm high rather than 17.5–28 cm high. Eight large rats were each allowed to choose for 24 hrs between a 16.8-cm-high cage and a 23-cm-high cage. Ss failed to exhibit any preference for the higher cage. It is suggested that before the CCAC mandates commitment of substantial resources for a change in the conditions of laboratory animal maintenance, some objective evidence should be provided that the proposed change improves the well-being of animals. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

About the human resources in psychology special issue.

Presents data on the growth of the American Psychological Association, the diversity of its membership, and the activities of its members. Data from 1970 are compared to data from 1980. It is concluded that the magnitude of research and educational, professional, and public service provided by psychologists attests to their significant role in and contribution to American life and industry. The growth in the number of psychologists is further evidence of psychology's value and ability to attract individuals to the field. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Positive psychology: An introduction.

A science of positive subjective experience, positive individual traits, and positive institutions promises to improve quality of life and prevent the pathologies that arise when life is barren and meaningless. The exclusive focus on pathology that has dominated so much of our discipline results in a model of the human being lacking the positive features that make life worth living. Hope, wisdom, creativity, future mindedness, courage, spirituality, responsibility, and perseverance are ignored or explained as transformations of more authentic negative impulses. The 15 articles in this millennial issue of the American Psychologist discuss such issues as what enables happiness, the effects of autonomy and self-regulation, how optimism and hope affect health, what constitutes wisdom, and how talent and creativity come to fruition. The authors outline a framework for a science of positive psychology, point to gaps in our knowledge, and predict that the next century will see a science and profession that will come to understand and build the factors that allow individuals, communities, and societies to flourish. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Research activities in psychology: An update.

Presents an update on research activities in psychology, based on 14,634 responses to the American Psychological Association's (APA) 1982 Human Resources Survey (J. Stapp et al, 1983). The characteristics of APA members involved in research activities and funded research are described and compared to data from the 1978 Human Resources Survey (R. P. Lowman and J. Stapp [see PA, Vol 67:12943]). There has been little change in these characteristics; over 90% of APA members involved in research hold doctorates. Women were somewhat less likely than men to report involvement in research, and minorities were slightly more likely than nonminorities. The subfields, employment settings, and types of positions of those involved in research are also described. Of the projects reported in the 1982 survey, approximately half were funded (either by intramural or outside sources). Both funded and unfunded projects were primarily applied research and secondarily basic research; the institutional bases for research projects were most likely to be universities and colleges. Funded research activities are further described in terms of sources of funding, as well as the mechanism, length, and amount of funding. (3 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Competent professional service in psychology: The real issue behind continuing education.

Discusses the problems of maintaining competent professional service in psychology. A professional development model is offered. (11 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Masochism: An empirical analysis.

Masochistic behavior is defined as a change in response to punishing stimuli which may take the form of simple desensitization at one extreme to continued, self-aversive stimulation at the other. Experimental findings reflecting such changes are cited and some of the conditions necessary for demonstrating these effects are analyzed. The manner in which the scheduling of events may be involved is also suggested. The approach which is advocated seems to offer a fruitful alternative to current popular conceptions of masochism. (35 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

B. F. Skinner and psychology: Introduction to the special issue.

Celebrates the scientific and intellectual impact of Skinner on psychology. Noted are his 6 decades of prominance in psychology, including his numerous publications. Also noted is that his work spawned Division 25, Experimental Analysis of Behavior, of the American Psychological Association (APA); an independent professional organization, the Association of Behavior Analysis; 2 foundations dedicated to behavioral psychology; and at least 23 journals. Also discussed are his numerous honorary degrees, his contribution to the APA, and post-Skinnerian behaviorism. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Applied psychology: An international journey.

This article reviews evidence of the increasing internationalization of the field of psychology and traces some historical developments in this globalization of psychology as a scientific discipline and profession. Many of these developments are seen through the personal experiences, professional and scientific involvements, and reflections of the author over the past 40 years. Trends in the process and content of the international aspects of psychology are discussed. These include examples of organizational efforts to increase communication and cooperation in advancing psychological knowledge internationally, as well as the conducting of transnational research projects. These efforts have increasingly addressed significant social problems of concern in many different countries. Parallel and joint efforts of psychologists from different countries have added a new vitality to the field of applied psychology, extended our research generalizations, and enriched our science. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Trends in the selection of psychology department heads: 1946-1970.

Discusses the characteristics of department chairmen and postwar conflicts between experimental, clinical, and emerging applied psychologists. Data obtained from the American Psychologist and the American Psychological Association (APA) indicate that experimentalists have retained their power in the academic setting, while clinicians, the most numerous group, are underrepresented. Present trends include the selection of younger chairmen and less holders of APA Fellow status. A distribution of the APA division affiliations of new chairmen and the universities where they were trained are presented. It is concluded that the selection of a moderate in psychological politics would help alleviate the fragmentation between research and applied psychology. (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)     

Introduction to the special issue: Integrating personality and social psychology.

The purpose of this Special Issue is not to mark one approach as superior to others but rather to present a wide variety of approaches to the problem of integrating personality and social psychology. This introductory essay seeks to underscore some of the integrative aspects of the articles collected here and to help point the direction for future activity along the same lines. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)