Editor’s Note

As the Society for Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology works to encourage greater genuine dialogue among proponents of disparate philosophical positions and traditions related to psychology, I am pleased for the second time in three years to have the opportunity to publish another set of commentaries on a paper previously published in Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology (JTPP), together with the author's reply. I am also delighted to know that the future of the Journal has been placed in the wise and energetic care of Thomas Teo, but more of that in the announcement to follow. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The implicit assumptions of modern psychology.

Presents the Presidential Address to the Division of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology (Division 24) of the American Psychological Association, delivered August 25. 1985. The author discusses the key philosophical and theoretical issues facing modern psychology as well as the "perennially problematic" intellectual foundations of psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The practice of theoretical psychology.

Presents the Presidential Address to the Division of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology (Division 24). In this address, the author discusses his current plans to tackle the practical issues of theoretical psychology instead of, as past presidents have done, pushing the already established conceptual envelope of theoretical psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Correction to Levant et al. (2000).

Reports an error in "The evolving profession of psychology: Comment on Lowe Hays-Thomas's (2000) "The silent conversation." by Ronald F. Levant, Stanley Moldawsky and Tommy T. Stigall (Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 2000[Jun], Vol 31[3], 346-348). On page 346 in the author note, Louisiana Southern University was given as the university where Tommy T. Stigall received his PhD. The correct university is Louisiana State University. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2000-03894-017.) The authors comment on R. Lowe Hays-Thomas (2000; see record 2000-03894-016). The article begins with a few comments about the master's-degree issue and then examines the evolution of professional psychology in relationship to the master's issue over the past 50 years and into the future. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychology and Theology Schools.

The present author comments that the Gilmer and Mensh report on psychology in other professional schools (American Psychologist, 1956, 11, 676-679, see record 1958-01113-001) contains the statement, "The picture of psychology in schools of theology is most difficult to obtain." Gilmer has apparently explained to the author that the main point of this statement is the fact that fewer than 5% of the teaching personnel appear to be members of the APA. The present author reports that there is information from 54% of the country's 200 theological schools, however, and, with the permission of the editor of "Pastoral Psychology", abstracts from the October 1956 issue. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Moot point.

Applauds J. F. T. Bugental (Amer. Psychologist, 1963, 18, 563-567) for his article, "Humanistic Psychology: A New Break-Through." (see record 1964-03430-001). The present author comments that the developments Bugental sees occurring seem to him to be more in the nature of wished-for trends than actualities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A new vision of personality...and of personality theory: Reply.

Replies to comments by Maddi (see record 2006-05893-007) on "A Tale of Two Visions: Can a New View of Personality Help Integrate Psychology?" (see record 2005-05480-001). In the original article, the current author proposed a new fieldwide framework for the discipline of personality psychology; in essence, it is a new outline to organize contemporary theory and research in the field. Maddi raised two interrelated objections to that proposed framework. First, he believes that there is a better way to organize the discipline of personality psychology than the one the current author proposed. His method involves comparing and analyzing the grand theories of personality and using the results of his analyses to guide research in the discipline. Maddi's (1968) meta-theory usefully organizes the statements of the grand theories of the early-to-mid-20th century, but the current author is not sure it is sufficient to organize the field. Second, he was concerned that the current author wants to de-emphasize the grand theories of the field. Maddi (2006) believes that disagreements among the grand theories are a fruitful source of research ideas. Although that may be true, there is more to personality psychology than the grand theories alone. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Disciplinarity and methodology in intersectionality theory and research.

Comments on the original article, "Intersectionality and research in psychology," by E. R. Cole (see record 2009-04471-001). Cole’s article, says the current author, makes a welcome and valuable contribution to the field of psychology. Particularly useful are the three questions that she posed, highlighting how these questions are relevant and pressing for all researchers, not just those focused on work with subordinated groups. However, there are two additional points that the current author believes need to be addressed as intersectionality moves from the margins of psychology to the mainstream. First, although Cole (2009) nicely traced the history of intersectionality, from feminists of color and critical race theorists to psychology, what the current author found lacking was a discussion about the implications of translating the theory across disciplines. The current author's second point is a methodological one and is related to the disciplinary origins of intersectionality. The current author was surprised to see Cole (2009) discuss at length the role of statistical interactions in intersectionality research. While the current author fully appreciates that Cole may have been attempting to “speak the language” of the vast majority of psychologists, a crucial point about intersectionality research was lost: that qualitative research is central to this approach. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The neglected 95%, a challenge to psychology.

Responds to the comments of LoSchiavo F. M. and Shatz M. A. (see record 2009-13007-013); Webster G. D., Nichols A. L., and Schember T. O. (see record 2009-13007-014); Stroebe W. and Nijstad B. (see record 2009-13007-015); and Haeffel et al. (see record 2009-13007-016) on the author's original article (see record 200814338-003) regarding the assertion that American psychology focuses too narrowly on Americans while neglecting the other 95% of the world’s population. The author indicates that the four comments were well chosen in that they represent quite different reactions to his article. In this rejoinder the author addresses the issues raised in each of the comments, first the two supporting comments and then the two opposing comments. Following this, he addresses the more general problem that cuts across the comments: American psychology’s dominant philosophy of science. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reading psychoanalytic developments contextually: A reply to Bocknek on Kohut.

Replies to comments by Gene Bocknek (see record 2009-05605-008) on the author's original article (1986) on self psychology and Heinz Kohut. Masek believes that three problems separate his reading of Kohut's contributions from Bocknek's reading of Kohut and Masek's paper. All three problems converge on the issue of how Bocknek's response understands the issues raised in Masek's paper. These problems are as follows: (1) Precedents are not paradigms; (2) trends ≠ sameness of contributions; and (3) the relations between ego, the self, and Ego Psychology and Self Psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Views from the inside and outside.

Replies to comments on the article "Psychology and Phenomenology: A Clarification" (see record 2005-05480-003). Four (see records 2006-03947-010; 2006-03947-011; 2006-03947-012; and 2006-03947-013) of the five comments on my article were critical of my treatment of psychology and phenomenology. I will try to identify the sources of these disputes, but not with the intention of demonstrating the superiority of one discipline over the other. In an attempt to compare and contrast psychology and phenomenology, I analyze three concepts: objectivity, values, and falsifiability. Reber's comments (see record 2006-03947-014) were agreeable to read because of the common methodological orientation we share. Reber's optimism about humanity sharing common moral commitments appears to be contradicted by history and current events. Cloonan's (see record 2006-03947-010) plea for a "methodological pluralism" (p. 255) in psychology sounds appealing but is basically destructive for psychology and society. You can't play chess and checkers on the same board at the same time! (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Editorial.

This editorial introduces the current issue of the Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology (JTPP). It focuses on a new section developed for short discussion articles in JTPP. This new section includes short articles on critical thinking in psychology. The discussion articles in this issue are based on a symposium that was held in 2010 at the APA convention in San Diego. The symposium included contradictory voices regarding the notions of critical thinking in psychology and on the philosophical underpinnings of this competence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Six Faces of Psychology.

The author presents his reflections on reading "Psychology and the United States Science Exhibit: Seattle World's Fair, 1962" (American Psychologist, 1962, 17, 798-800) which described "six exhibits relating to psychology." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On missing the point: A reply to Jaques et al.

Replies to comments by Jaques et al (see record 2005-09346-002) on the author's original article (see record 1980-33168-001). I daresay that virtually every author who must respond to criticism thinks that the critical reader missed the point. In this case, I must join the legion of misunderstood authors. The article is entitled, "Psychological Services in Rehabilitation Medicine: Clinical Aspects of Rehabilitation Psychology." I attempted a very brief overview of the roles and functions of rehabilitation psychologists, not rehabilitation counselors. Somebody missed the point! Further, as I stated both in the abstract and in the summary, I was focusing on traditional clinical and counseling applications. I am a psychologist, and I wrote this particular article for an audience of professional psychologists to try to introduce some of the issues involved in psychological practice in this particular setting. I think that I accomplished that rather straightforward goal, and I hope that some of the readers will now consider rehabilitation psychology as an area of specialization that does utilize the skills learned in traditional clinical and counseling psychology doctoral programs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Appointment of new editor.

The Executive Committee of the Society of Theoretical and Philosophical Society (Division 24 of APA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Teo as the fifth editor of Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology (JTPP). Thomas Teo received his doctorate of philosophy from the University of Vienna, Austria, and has worked as a research scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Education in Berlin, Germany. He is now Associate Professor in the History and Theory of Psychology Program at York University, Toronto. His research in historical and theoretical psychology is based on critical-hermeneutic analyses. He has also published on the transformation of psychology in nineteenth-century German philosophical psychology and on the history of race psychology and scientific racism. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Relativity for Psychology: A Causal Law for the Modern Alchemy.

Reviews the book, Relativity for Psychology: A Causal Law for the Modern Alchemy by D. G. Garan (see record 1971-23980-000). According to the publisher's comments on the dust-jacket, this book provides explanations "for all the problems that have remained unresolved mysteries in psychology, psychiatry, medicine, and other fields dependent on psychological advance, or on insight into organic causality." In reality, this book is a rather confused melange of comments on the old Greek idea of antithesis and the concepts of homeostasis and adaptation which have been discussed previously. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Correction to Kosits (2004).

Reports two errors in the original article by Russell D. Kosits (History of Psychology, 2004, Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 340-366). On p. 358, the first paragraph should read "Given this theological background, it is now possible to consider the New Psychology's Fallacy argument as deeply ironic and even tragic, particularly for William James, the argument's most influential articulator." Also, on p. 342, footnote 5, 6th line of the quotation, the word to should not be crossed out. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 2004-21409-002.) In The Principles of Psychology, William James (1890) articulated an influential, boundary-setting argument against faculty psychology, subsequently dubbed the Fallacy of the Faculty Psychology. This argument was reiterated in American psychology textbooks for the next several decades, arguably solidifying and simplifying American perceptions of the "old" faculty psychology and establishing belief in the superiority of the "New Psychology." When placed in the context of American theological and philosophical history, however, the New Psychology argument appears unoriginal, somewhat unfair, and deeply (and even tragically) ironic. Despite their best intentions, a fallacy did emerge in the old psychology as they sought psychological foundations for libertarian free will. For those members of the New Psychology still committed to free will, then, the Fallacy argument cut both ways--refuting the fallacy also meant tearing down a long-standing foundation for free will in American psychology. Offering no viable alternative to fill the moral void, the New Psychology appeared at times conflicted with its new deterministic identity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Addressing classism, extending multicultural competence, and serving the poor: Reply.

Replies to comments on "Psychotherapy, classism, and the poor: Conspicuous by their absence" (see record 2005-11834-002). In this article, the current author outlined what psychologists over the past four decades have had to say about the field's neglect of the poor in its research, practice, and theory. Characterizing this exclusion of the poor as a form of classist bias, she shared her experiences of confronting the results of this bias within her own work. In her commentary, Aronson (see record 2006-05893-011) offered some of her own experiences in working with poor clients. As Moyer (see record 2006-05893-012) asserted, nonprofit organizations that make mental health services available to the poor do indeed constitute welcome exceptions to the current author's statements regarding the mostly middle-class purview of psychological practice. Liu's (see record 2006-05893-013) comment illustrated the different and often complementary perspectives that emerge when one considers the same topic from different paradigmatic stances. Although much of the divergence between Liu's views and the current author's seems to be a manifestation of our differing emphases, the current author addresses a few points of frank disagreement, including the use of the word "classism." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The evolving profession of psychology: Comment on Lowe Hays-Thomas's (2000) "The silent conversation."

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 31(4) of Professional Psychology: Research and Practice (see record 2007-17397-001). On page 346 in the author note, Louisiana Southern University was given as the university where Tommy T. Stigall received his PhD. The correct university is Louisiana State University.] The authors comment on R. Lowe Hays-Thomas (2000; see record 2000-03894-016). The article begins with a few comments about the master's-degree issue and then examines the evolution of professional psychology in relationship to the master's issue over the past 50 years and into the future. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of A Dialectical Psychology.

Reviews the book, A Dialectical Psychology by Allan R. Buss (1979). This collection of papers, most of them previously published, covers topics as diverse as attribution theory, life-span development, humanistic psychology, history of differential psychology, interactionism, the relations of fact and theory and of individual and society, and the future of psychology in general. Those who seek in this book a dialectical psychology will find it neither explained nor exemplified. While interesting connections are drawn from time to time between psychological theory and the social-historical context, it is not clear what is so "critical" about the way in which they are drawn, nor does one ever attain the feeling of having been led very far beyond "mere surface appearance." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)