Science, ethnicity, and bias: Where have we gone wrong?

The quality, quantity, and funding of ethnic minority research have been inadequate. One factor that has contributed to this inadequacy is the practice of scientific psychology. Although principles of psychological science involve internal and external validity, in practice psychology emphasizes internal validity in research studies. Because many psychological principles and measures have not been cross-validated with different populations, those conducting ethnic minority research often have a more difficult time demonstrating rigorous internal validity. Thus, psychology's overemphasis of internal as opposed to external validity has differentially hindered the development of ethnic minority research. To develop stronger research knowledge on ethnic minority groups, it is important that (a) all research studies address external validity issues and explicitly specify the populations to which the findings are applicable; (b) different research approaches, including the use of qualitative and ethnographic methods, be appreciated; and (c) the psychological meaning of ethnicity or race be examined in ethnic comparisons. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethnicity research and theoretical conservatism.

Comments on the article by Sue (December 1999; see record 1999-15532-003), in which he leveled a serious charge against the scientific community of psychology. He asserted that the enforcement of scientific criteria is selective and biased against ethnicity research. To remedy this bias, Sue proposed that the field adopt an exceptionally strong formulation of the principle of empirical skepticism that would preclude theory generalization across ethnicity and require theory testing in all populations. The ultimate challenge of psychological science is the development of universal theories that can explain individual differences both within and across cultures. Ethnicity research contributes most when it advances broad theories that apply to multiple ethnic groups. To this end, theories should include constructs that characterize multiple ethnic groups to varying degrees and should not present the ethnic group itself as an explanation for differences. The goal ought to be broader, cross-cultural theory and unification of empirical findings--not ad hoc theory and fragmentation along ethnic lines. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychology and inferences about public policy.

The research literature of psychology may be brought to bear on public policy issues in three ways. First, psychology may be useful in establishing procedures for determining public policy. Second, psychology may be useful in formulating the structure for policy and its implementation. Third, the literature of psychology may be reflected in the actual content of public policy. There are many issues involved in making inferences about public policy from the psychological literature. Among these issues are the generalizability of findings from basic science and problems of overadvocacy on the part of policy consultants. Researchers expect that inferences from the psychological literature would lead to innovations in the policy, but the innovations themselves must be evaluated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Award for distinguished contribution to research in public policy: Stanley Sue.

The Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest confers the Award for Distinguished Contribution to Research in Public Policy upon a psychologist who has made a distinguished empirical and–or theoretical contribution to research in public policy, either through a single extraordinary achievement or a lifetime of work. This contribution might include research leading others to view specific national policies differently, demonstrating the importance of the application of psychological methods and theory to public policy, or clarifying the ways scientific knowledge of human behavior informs public policy. The citation, biography, and selected bibliography for this year's (1996) awardee, Stanley Sue, are presented here. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Editorial: The Forest Primeval.

Canadian psychologists have been deplorably remiss in the matter of public education about their discipline. We must from now on be less short-sighted and give more effective expression to our sense of social responsibility. We must do everything possible to give both the general public and those who make policy decisions a more accurate understanding of contemporary clinical psychology, the branch of applied psychology that receives most public attention. We must make them aware of the other branches of applied psychology, unconnected with the health sciences, whose existence is barely appreciated. We must draw attention to the many areas of social concern in which new areas of applied psychology could fruitfully grow up. And some of our knottiest problems stem from misapprehensions regarding the nature and functions of non-applied psychology, of fundamental research on psychological processes. We hope that more accurate conceptions of the nature and potential role of Canadian psychology will gradually establish themselves. We must certainly give a high priority to the problems of public education over the next few years. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethnic representation in a sample of the literature of applied psychology.

A number of authors have raised concerns over the external validity of psychological research. This study examined the extent to which empirical articles include human participants from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Articles published over a 5-year period in 14 selected journals representing 3 applied subdisciplines of psychology were examined. Of the 2,536 articles coded, only 61 % indicated the ethnicity of the participants. For those articles, the ethnic compositions approximated U.S. Census estimates, with the exception of an overrepresentation of African Americans and an underrepresentation of Hispanic Americans. The results imply that although the field is apparently adequately recruiting English speakers, representation of non-English speakers should be increased. To further enhance the external validity of psychological research, ethnicity of participants should be not only specified but also analyzed in relation to the results of a study. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychology and public affairs.

Considers 2 relationships between psychology (particularly organized psychology) and public policy: those in which public policy is directly related to the development of psychology and the functioning of psychologists and those in which psychological knowledge is relevant to the formulation and implementation of public policy. In the 1st relationship, government influences the nature and conduct of research, scientific and professional information exchange, education and training, and the definition of psychological roles and services. In the 2nd relationship, the role of psychology and psychologists is less clear and requires an assessment of the solidarity and substantiveness of discipline's knowledge base. (0 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A survey of postdoctoral training programs in health psychology.

A survey of 43 postdoctoral programs in health psychology indicated considerable heterogeneity in clinical and research training experiences as well as experiences with varied populations across the developmental life span. A lack of emphasis on industrial and public policy areas was noted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychology, population, and reproductive behavior.

This special section on international perspectives in psychology focuses on population issues and reproductive behavior across national and cultural boundaries, emphasizing the responsibility of psychologists and colleagues in related disciplines to generate and communicate culturally mindful findings likely to shape public health policy and improve human well-being. After considering the historical and policy context, it highlights internationally collaborative research projects in the Czech Republic, Egypt, Mexico, and the United States that address reproductive behavior, women's roles and status, responsible parenthood, and abortion legislation in terms of cultural context, gender equity, the needs of adolescents, and public health policy. The articles illustrate the importance of the cultural context within which psychological research is conducted and how psychology can be informed by international perspectives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Envisioning and accessing new roles for professional psychology.

To support psychology's continued evolution as a profession, it is important to conceptualize roles that psychologists can play in the future and create pathways for developing and accessing them. This article considers a variety of roles that may become central to professional psychology in the future. Important opportunities appear to exist in the areas of psychological management of health and disease, serious mental illness, and public policy. Psychology faces both internal and external barriers to accessing these roles in larger numbers. Strategies related to public education, policy and advocacy, marketing, and training are recommended for overcoming them. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychology in health care: Future directions.

The nature of health care delivery in the U.S. will change radically in the next 5 years, and the nature of psychological services provided will also change. Psychology is evolving into a primary health care profession, at least in terms of "health psychology" broadly defined. Modern clinical health psychology includes, at the minimum, rehabilitation psychology, neuropsychology, and traditional health psychology. The present article represents the views of 20 experts from this evolving area of practice and research on matters of public policy, training, and the future of psychology in health care settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

How Changes in Population Demographics Will Impact Health Psychology: Incorporating a Broader Notion of Cultural Competence Into the Field.

U.S. population demographics are undergoing striking changes that will impact health care and the research and practice of health psychology. An increase in the number of people who are older; belong to an ethnic minority group; have disabilities; identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered; or live in poverty will influence definitions of aging, health, and illness, and will challenge current psychological and medical treatment models. The authors argue that health psychologists need to become context competent for the field to be relevant and viable over the course of this new century. Health psychologists need to become aware of the multiple, overlapping contexts in which people live and apply this knowledge on a regular basis to research, practice, education and training, and policy in health psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stuart W. Cook (1913–1993): Obituary.

Memorializes S. W. Cook, who was best known for his effective application of psychological science toward the mitigation of important social problems, particularly race prejudice. However, his career also included major activity in clinical, experimental, and military psychology; research methods; scientific and professional ethics; professional organization; and public policy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychology and health.

This article traces the historical development of Canadian medicare and its significant influence on shaping not only the clinical services provided within Canada's public health care system but also its major impact on the nation's overall health research agenda. Particular emphasis is placed on how this has influenced the development and role of psychology in the public health care system. It is argued that all psychologists, whether their work is focused on the applied or experimental areas of the discipline, have much to offer Canadians across the entire health care spectrum. Nevertheless, psychological services in the public health care system, and particularly in hospitals, have mainly developed within and continue to be primarily focused around mental health. Services in nonmental health areas of health have been more limited, although their importance is well recognized. The current situation partly reflects the limited training in general health issues that clinical psychologists-in-training generally receive in many graduate school programs in Canada. However, it also reflects the overall influence of medicare on the development of Canada's health care system. Medicare has tended to focus the activities of Canada's health care system primarily on treating illness rather than on preventing it and/or maintaining health. Also, medicare has oriented Canada's health care system mainly toward delivering medical services rather than providing more comprehensive health services (e.g., the "medically necessary" criterion for funding). However, times are changing. The growing emphasis among health policymakers in Canada on illness prevention and health promotion (e.g., the creation of the federal government Public Health Agency of Canada in 2004) will significantly expand psychology's role across all areas of health. Psychology education and training programs are urged to seriously examine whether psychology practitioners and researchers are being adequately prepared at present for the much broader array of future interdisciplinary professional, research, and educational activities and responsibilities that will emerge. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

La psychologie et la santé.

This article traces the historical development of Canadian medicare and its significant influence on shaping not only the clinical services provided within Canada's public health care system but also its major impact on the nation's overall health research agenda. Particular emphasis is placed on how this has influenced the development and role of psychology in the public health care system. It is argued that all psychologists, whether their work is focused on the applied or experimental areas of the discipline, have much to offer Canadians across the entire health care spectrum. Nevertheless, psychological services in the public health care system, and particularly in hospitals, have mainly developed within and continue to be primarily focused around mental health. Services in nonmental health areas of health have been more limited, although their importance is well recognized. The current situation partly reflects the limited training in general health issues that clinical psychologists-in-training generally receive in many graduate school programs in Canada. However, it also reflects the overall influence of medicare on the development of Canada's health care system. Medicare has tended to focus the activities of Canada's health care system primarily on treating illness rather than on preventing it and/or maintaining health. Also, medicare has oriented Canada's health care system mainly toward delivering medical services rather than providing more comprehensive health services (e.g., the "medically necessary" criterion for funding). However, times are changing. The growing emphasis among health policymakers in Canada on illness prevention and health promotion (e.g., the creation of the federal government Public Health Agency of Canada in 2004) will significantly expand psychology's role across all areas of health. Psychology education and training programs are urged to seriously examine whether psychology practitioners and researchers are being adequately prepared at present for the much broader array of future interdisciplinary professional, research, and educational activities and responsibilities that will emerge. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethnic conflict: Global challenges and psychological perspectives.

Introduces a special section on ethnic conflict in 5 different parts of the world. This section analyzes psychological dimensions of particular conflicts and promotes thinking about the possible contributions psychology can make in the research, practice, and policy domains. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ethical issues in field research: Balancing competing values.

Discusses the conflict between experimental and ethical values inherent in psychological field research. The problem has special significance in community psychology, which gives priority to studying, in natural settings, those affected by social problems. An example is given of research that required observation of family interaction in the homes of convicted child abusers. The case demonstrates that the value of ecological validity often conflicts with the need to protect privacy and obtain uncoerced consent. Other ethical constraints, including the duty to report lawbreaking and to protect the public from harm, may threaten research validity. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of work in psychological health and well-being: A conceptual, historical, and public policy perspective.

The primary theme of this article, which serves as the introductory contribution of a special section of the American Psychologist, is that work plays a central role in the development, expression, and maintenance of psychological health. The argument underlying this assumption is articulated at the outset of the article in conjunction with a historical review of vocational psychology and industrial/organizational psychology. The article follows with an overview of contemporary vocational psychology and a presentation of the psychology-of-working perspective, which has emerged from critiques of vocational psychology and from multicultural, feminist, and expanded epistemological analyses of psychological explorations of working. Three illustrative lines of inquiry in which research has affected the potential for informing public policy are presented. These three lines of scholarship (role of work in recovery from mental illness; occupational health psychology; and working, racism, and psychological health) are reviewed briefly to furnish exemplars of how the psychological study of working can inform public policy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Advancing disability policy: Opportunities and obstacles.

This article highlights opportunities for psychologists to advance disability policy. Obstacles discussed include disabling attitudes, lack of knowledge, and financial interests. The article calls for increased involvement of consumers in research design and greater emphasis on research related to social participation and environmental accommodation for persons with a disability. The need for advocacy in promoting adequate research funding and informing policymakers regarding research findings is emphasized. Continued efforts are needed to broaden psychology training to include more content regarding the social and environmental aspects of disability. Active recruitment into psychology training programs of students with a disability can enhance these efforts. The development of psychological interventions in collaboration with consumer-run organizations is a useful model. Public policies related to reimbursement for services will require continued advocacy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)