Early infantile autism: A methodological critique.

Examines the available evidence in support of early infantile autism (EIA) as an observable syndrome of related behaviors. It is proposed that the 1 psychometric instrument designed to detect EIA does not significantly improve upon a base-rate prediction. Criticism is offered concerning the nature of the criterion against which the instrument has been validated (diagnosis by a clinician) as well as the nature of the instrument itself (parental ratings, often retrospective). It is concluded that EIA has not yet been validly and empirically demonstrated as a unitary behavior disorder which may be reliably discriminated from other severe disturbances of child behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Temporal sequencing during posthypnotic amnesia: A methodological critique.

In studies by F. J. Evans and J. F. Kihlstrom, (1973, 1975, 1979), using the susceptibility-scale paradigm, high susceptibles (HSs) were less likely than low susceptibles (LSs) to recall the events of the hypnotic session in temporal sequence (i.e., temporal disorganization effect) following an amnesia suggestion. The primary measure of recall order was the rank-order correlation (rho scores) between the presentation order and the recall order of hypnotic experiences computed for each S. Following a suggestion for posthypnotic amnesia, HSs usually obtained lower rho scores than LSs. This research is critically examined, noting methodological shortcomings associated with the susceptibility-scale paradigm, inconsistent findings, and failures to replicate. Two studies are described that found no relationship between susceptibility level and rho scores. These null results held true for Ss who recalled new information after cancellation of the amnesia suggestion (reversers) as well as for those who did not recall new information (nonreversers). Nevertheless, the authors have replicated previous work on differential recall of the 1st item. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Attributing responsibility for an accident: A methodological and conceptual critique.

Reviews research on attribution of responsibility for an accident. It is concluded that empirical support for the various defensive attribution hypotheses is very weak. An alternate explanation based upon socially learned norms shows promise of being a more viable explanation. Existing studies have used inappropriate experimental settings and inadequate dependent measures. Adequate research must consider normative standards, foreseeability, external contributors, individual and cultural differences, and the multidimensionality of responsibility judgments. (French summary) (40 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nonspecific influences in group counterconditioning: A methodological and conceptual critique.

A review of group counterconditioning outcome research published from 1965 to 1975 found widespread methodological inadequacies and an absence of conclusive evidence for the efficacy of group counterconditioning beyond an alternative explanation for treatment effects. An analysis based on small group principles is used to show how group sources of nonspecific influence operate in group counterconditioning. In addition, a hypothetical model predicting group nonspecific effects germane to certain counterconditioning procedures is described. Critical reflections are presented vis-à-vis other forms of group treatment on the significance of the nonspecific influences operating in group counterconditioning. (French summary) (3? p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Faulty" communication and the spiral aftereffect: A methodological critique.

"23 children were tested for spiral aftereffect under a method designed to obtain their responses under actual as well as illusory conditions. It was found that virtually all Ss who responded correctly under actual conditions were able to report correctly under illusory conditions. Ss considerably younger in CA and lower in MA were able to achieve success in the task under present conditions than were able to achieve success in a previously reported investigation." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Context effects in performance appraisal: A methodological critique and empirical study.

The standard design used in research on assimilation and contrast effects in performance appraisal suffers from methodological flaws that preclude unambiguous interpretation of experimental results. This standard design is compared with two other designs that provide more appropriate tests of context effects (D. A. Kravitz and W. K. Balzer, 1990). 123 undergraduates rated a videotaped lecture of average quality after rating (1) 2 videotapes depicting good lectures, (2) 2 videotapes depicting poor lectures, or (3) no other videotapes. Half the Ss had rated the target videotape 1 wk earlier. Analyses of the standard design implied contrast effects. Analyses of the alternative designs revealed problems with the positive context manipulation, assimilation effects in the positive context, contrast effects in the negative context, and pretest effects. It is recommended that the standard design not be used. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Alternative views of Bashore and Rapp's (1993) alternatives to traditional polygraphy: A critique.

Rosenfeld critiques an article on deception detection by T. T. Bashore and P. P. Rapp (1993) that appeared earlier in this journal. These authors reviewed the field of traditional polygraphy, coming to the conclusion that traditional autonomic nervous system (ANS) indices of psychological events thought to be directly or indirectly involved in deception-related processes have limitations that might not apply to the representation of these processes in brain activity. Rosenfeld criticizes what he sees as a relatively one-sided presentation of traditional ANS polygraphy by Bashore and Rapp. He also reconsiders Bashore and Rapp's preference for brain activity indices over ANS indices in deception detection. Finally, he attempts to correct Bashore and Rapp's inaccurate and incomplete review of approaches to deception detection based on brain activity measures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Racial/ethnic minority research in the Journal of Counseling Psychology: A content analysis and methodological critique.

A content analysis was conducted of all racial/ethnic minority-focused research appearing in the Journal of Counseling Psychology over the 11-year period from 1976 to 1986. During this period 934 articles and brief reports were published, of which 53 (5.7%) had a racial/ethnic minority focus. The 53 articles were systematically reviewed for their sample characteristics and methodological considerations. The sample characteristics that were examined included ethnic groups studied, general populations sampled, and geographic breakdown of samples used. Methodological design characteristics that were investigated included general research designs incorporated, examination of within-group differences, outcome measures used, cultural sensitivity of instrumentation, acknowledgment of sample generalizability limits, and presence of conceptual or theoretical frameworks in developing research hypotheses. Data accumulated in the report were used as a base within which to examine major research methodology criticisms that have consistently appeared in recent ethnic minority literature. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The trouble with pitfalls: A reply to Weiner's critique of attribution research.

Contends that while some of B. Weiner's (see record 1983-32685-001) criticisms of conceptual and methodological concerns regarding the proper testing of hypotheses in attributional research are well founded, his use of presumed methodological shortcomings as an explanation for the nonconfirmation of predictions flowing from his cognitive theory of achievement motivation is considered to be debatable. It is concluded that the study of achievement behavior is enhanced by the addition of motivational, noncognitive assumptions, which has been done by the present authors. (3 p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Empathy research: Some methodological considerations.

Calls for a systematic inquiry into the construct of empathy and suggests that improved definitional and methodological consideration in research will lead to more persuasive findings about the alleged relations between empathy and client outcomes. A category system is proposed for analyzing methodological deficiencies. The system is applied to 4 different measures of empathy and 3 studies having different findings but purportedly similar designs. Renewed attention to the construct of empathy is advocated. (93 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social influence research in counseling: A review and critique.

This review concerns recent research on counseling as a social influence process. Studies published since 1981 are presented in two groups, according to whether they pertain to the first or second stage of S. R. Strong's (see PA, Vol 42:12025) influence model, and within these groups, according to the type of methodology used (interview and noninterview analogue studies and field studies) and the variables of interest (counselor, message, and client variables, and combinations of these). Then, the social influence literature as a whole is critically examined as to its methodological and theoretical adequacy. Major criticisms include the low external validity of the research, the disproportionate emphasis of the research on counselor perceptions rather than influence itself, and the weak connection between research and theory. Solutions are proposed for particular methodological problems, and recommendations are made for further research and theory development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Congenital insensitivity to pain: A critique.

No available reported case of apparent congenital pain insensitivity meets strict requirements for the syndrome. 17 "probable" cases are so neurologically and behaviorally heterogeneous that there appear to be several kinds of insensitivities with variations in the nature and/or locus of their neural deficits. The possible kinds of such deficits are discussed. The ability of these persons to survive is seriously impaired and depends on their ability to use other sensory cues of tissue damage. Normal personality development is rarely affected by the absence of pain. (64 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A multicultural assessment supervision model to guide research and practice.

Multicultural assessment supervision is supervision of an assessment process in which the person assessed and the assessor are from different cultural backgrounds, the supervisor and the trainee are from different cultural backgrounds, or an instrument used in the assessment was developed with a cultural group different from that of the person assessed. A multicultural assessment competency model is presented to guide research and practice in multicultural assessment supervision. The model describes multicultural assessment competence areas, supervisor characteristics, supervision process variables, and supervision task areas important in the development of cultural competence in assessment practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral and personality correlates of epilepsy: A review, methodological critique, and conceptual model.

Assesses the psychological risk associated with temporal lobe epilepsy and epilepsy in general and identifies other variables associated with an increased risk of psychopathology in epilepsy by reviewing 64 studies published since 1962. Methodological problems include the definition of epilepsy and the interictal state, sample selections, and the need for appropriate controls; until these problems are overcome, the behavioral ramifications of limbic system dysfunction in epilepsy will remain controversial. Greater methodological rigor in the field of epilepsy/psychopathology research will help assess whether animal studies of kindling of limbic structures with subsequent behavior changes have any validity for human psychopathology. There is a growing interest in the behavioral ramifications of neurological disease; however many factors outside of those that are biologically indigenous to the disorder play significant roles in the determination of psychopathology. A conceptual model (brain-, non-brain-, and treatment-related factors) is offered to help explain different proportions of variance for different behavior disorders. (6 p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relation between premorbid competence and paranoid-nonparanoid status in schizophrenia: A methodological and theoretical critique.

Reviews empirical studies of the relation between premorbid social competence and paranoid-nonparanoid status in schizophrenia. The inconsistent findings in this area of research are noted, and positive vs negative findings are discussed in terms of methodological differences and difficulties, particularly the problem of heterogeneity in the diagnostic categories investigated. The explanation is advanced that good premorbid competence and the symptoms leading to a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia are both reflections of a higher developmental maturity level. Theoretical considerations concerning the paranoid-nonparanoid distinction in schizophrenia, the premorbid social competence construct, and the importance of the relation between these 2 concepts are presented. (37 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological control of essential hypertension: Review of the literature and methodological critique.

Reviews recent studies (1971–1978) that investigated psychological approaches to the treatment of essential hypertension. 20 studies that use techniques of biofeedback, relaxation, and meditation training are summarized in table form. They are subjected to a detailed methodological critique, and suggestions for methodological improvements and directions for future research are proposed. Most experiments demonstrated blood pressure reductions too small to be of clinical significance. A combination of biofeedback and relaxation/meditation with other behavioral techniques appears most promising, and suggestions for a more comprehensive approach to assessment and training are made. Although studies comparing biofeedback and relaxation/meditation were inconclusive, relaxation/meditation is suggested to hold more promise because it requires no sophisticated technology and has been reported to simultaneously reduce other stress-related complaints. (3? p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Letter: A methodological critique of "interventions for boys with conduct problems"

Xeroradiography proved extremely helpful in (a) evaluation of soft-tissue masses of both the axial and appendicular skeleton; (b) quantifying soft-tissue changes in advanced rheumatoid arthritis; (c) evaluation of bony involvement by an adjacent soft-tissue tumor or infection; (d) evaluation of rib lesions or rib integrity; and (e) assessment of bones in casted extremities. The technique was not helpful in the following conditions: early soft-tissue changes of rheumatoid arthritis; detection of minimal skeletal trauma; arthrography of the knee; evaluation of any portion of the vertebral column; evaluation of submandibular neck masses; or assessment of abdominal films for visceral structures.     

A methodological critique of "Interventions for boys with conduct problems."

Reanalyzed G. R. Patterson's (see record 1974-32972-001) data on 27 conduct problem boys which showed moderate success of his behavioral intervention procedures in reducing noxious behaviors and the persistence of this improvement in a follow-up study. It is noted that, although posttreatment means were based on observations of all 27 Ss, the mean at 12-mo follow-up reflects data from only 16 Ss (59% of the original sample). A recomputation of means using only the 16 Ss for whom measures from baseline through the 12-mo follow-up were available revealed substantially diminished treatment effects. The absence of an appropriate control group is also cited as an inadequacy in Patterson's investigation. A comparison of the level of deviant behavior of Ss during baseline with that of dropouts and normal Ss also indicated that the 16 Ss who completed the study were significantly less deviant in the home during baseline than dropouts, but not significantly different from normals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)