Primate research, family politics, and social policy: Transforming "cads" into "dads."

The ideology of fatherhood, as it is defined in Western, industrialized culture, assumes that fathers are biologically predisposed to be relatively uninvolved in infant care. This article summarizes recent revisions of both primate research and sociobiological theory. These new perspectives on male parenting behavior shift the focus from a narrow emphasis on the genetic relationship between male primates and their offspring to a broader focus that includes multiple social, demographic, and ecological variables. This paradigm underlines the behavioral flexibility, rather than the behavioral fixity, of male parenting behaviors. The relevance of this new theoretical consensus for social policy that could strengthen fathers' relationships with their children is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Revisiting community work from a psychodynamic perspective.

Are psychodynamic perspectives relevant in community intervention? Historically, community psychologists have influenced a shift away from traditional psychology's emphasis on the individual toward a more social justice and population-oriented paradigm. This shift away from the former emphasis on the individual has included a shying away from psychodynamic theories of individual psychological processes. In this article, we demonstrate the utility of psychodynamic perspectives in understanding the interpersonal dynamics inherent in community intervention. Specifically, we examine the roles of motivation, affect, transference, and countertransference in establishing working relationships between community collaborators and community members. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Who can do what, therapeutically, with whom, in what way?

Mary Connors has treated us to a survey of therapeutic goals of various psychotherapy theories from two differing traditions: the psychodynamic and the cognitive–behavioral. She then describes methodologies that have been developed to achieve the diversely formulated therapeutic goals. She questions whether the bifurcation of therapeutic approaches that have been developed and have been maintained within each of the two therapeutic schools is necessary or, in fact, whether such might even be deleterious to our patients. She argues for importation of cognitive–behavioral goals and techniques within psychodynamically oriented treatments (and presumably would be supportive of infusion of psychodynamic methods and understanding within cognitive–behavioral treatments). However, from our view, each of these theoretical perspectives—and this includes the psychoanalytic and the cognitive–behavioral—that has been considered by Mary Connors is conceptualized at the same level of abstraction. They are what we have termed structure theories, in contrast to process theories. Connors' paper presents two major questions, which are considered here: What constitutes psychotherapeutic effect, and can we conceptualize an approach to therapeutic work that effectively encompasses the use of the wide variety of methodologies that purport to achieve it? (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Freud and sociobiology.

Discusses comments made by M. Eber (see record 1984-00023-001) and E. I. Pollak (see record 1984-00042-001) on a synthesis of Freudian psychoanalysis and sociobiology by the present authors (Leak and Christopher; see record 1982-29262-001). Eber writes from the psychoanalytic perspective and criticizes the stress on the biological/scientific aspect of Freud's work. Pollak takes a more sociobiological approach and criticizes the present authors' article for stressing those aspects of sociobiological theory that place greater emphasis on biological determinism as opposed to behavioral plasticity. The present authors reply that (1) the original Freudian conception of psychoanalysis is the version that offers valuable insights for mainstream scientific psychology, and (2) many of Freud's notions are quite similar to contemporary sociobiological concepts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The case for eclecticism in executive coaching: Application to challenging assignments.

This article argues that effectively addressing challenging problems in executive coaching requires the use of not one, but several, theoretical models (e.g., psychodynamic, cognitive–behavioral, and systems) and research findings (e.g., social learning theory, attribution theory) developed in the larger discipline of psychology. Through two case studies, this article presents approaches to coaching executives with a history of high achievement who present problems in leadership because of their emotional and behavioral responses toward others and the negative impact they have on retention, effectiveness, productivity, or all three, in the organization. The authors present step-by-step considerations for coaches as they develop a helping relationship and carry out a multifaceted intervention over time. The approach taken here involves interventions addressing the individual’s emotion communication process as well as group-level and organization-level processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Individual and family therapy in the treatment of children.

Surveyed 144 clinicians (mean age 42.7 yrs) who evaluate and treat child referral cases to examine whether Ss who define themselves primarily as individually vs family oriented actually differ significantly in their therapeutic practices. 18 Ss were identified as advocating the individual child-oriented approach over the family-oriented approach, 74 Ss advocated the use of both approaches, and 52 Ss advocated a family-oriented approach. It was found that Ss who preferred the individual and combined approaches showed a preference to approach evaluation by first seeing the parents and then shifting to the identified child. Family-oriented Ss preferred an approach that focused on seeing all family members conjointly throughout treatment. Also, individual-oriented Ss showed a greater use of tools that are more closely associated with psychodynamic theory and allow for individual play: projective testing, doll or puppet play, and craft projects. The family-oriented group used more action-oriented, interpersonally focused tools, such as behavioral contracting and assigning tasks. The individual-oriented group rated psychodynamic models as significantly more useful, while the family-oriented group rated family systems models as significantly more useful. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotherapy integration as practiced by experts.

Twenty-four psychotherapists who were experts in psychotherapy integration and had a mean of 32 years of clinical experience completed a questionnaire assessing their practice history and fidelity to various psychodynamic, cognitive–behavioral, humanistic, and family systems theories. They then completed the 100-item Psychotherapy Process Q set (Jones, Hall, & Parke, 1991) modified to be a self-report questionnaire, based on a client they had treated using integrative therapy. Most therapists reported some influence of all 4 orientations, but almost three-quarters indicated that only 1 was a salient influence. Principal components factor analysis revealed 4 factors representing 4 integrative practice styles, which were then correlated with prior prototypes of cognitive–behavioral, psychodynamic, and interpersonal therapies. The first factor, accounting for just over half the variance, most resembled cognitive–behavioral therapy. The second factor shared elements of several orientations, whereas the third factor most resembled psychodynamic therapy. The responses of more than half the therapists loaded on more than 1 factor. Findings demonstrate a diversity of theoretical influences and practices among these experts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Why Does Separation Distress Hurt? Comment on MacDonald and Leary (2005).

Evidence is substantial that separation-distress circuitry in animal models is related intimately to opioid-sensitive pain regulatory systems of the brain. The evidence that basic pain-affect mechanisms are integral to the feelings of defensive fear anxiety and aggression is modest. Although anger and anxiety can be reduced by opiates, the effects are not as robust and specific as those observed with the low doses that quell separation distress. The role of "social pain" may be larger for the affective underpinnings of jealousy, shame, and guilt (all variants of social exclusion and abandonment) than for fear and aggression. Interdisciplinary insights might be facilitated by more forthright analyses of how affective states are created within the brain. This will require better dialogue between behavioral neuroscientists and the rest of psychology interested in foundational psychoevolutionary issues. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Structural family versus psychodynamic child therapy for problematic Hispanic boys.

Structural family therapy, psychodynamic child therapy, and a recreational control condition were compared for 69 six-to-twelve-year-old Hispanic boys who presented with behavioral and emotional problems. The results suggest that the control condition was significantly less effective in retaining cases than the two treatment conditions, which were apparently equivalent in reducing behavioral and emotional problems as well as in improving psychodynamic ratings of child functioning. Structural family therapy was more effective than psychodynamic child therapy in protecting the integrity of the family at 1-year follow-up. Finally, the results did not support basic assumptions of structural family systems therapy regarding the mechanisms mediating symptom reduction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

U.S. mental health policy: Proactive evolution in the midst of health care reform.

Argues that it is vital that psychological and behavioral health care perspectives be explicitly recognized during the coming reform of the US health care system. Mental health policy should not be treated as a mere extension of physical health policy; to do so extends all the flaws of the physical health system into the psychological care arena, resulting in a mismatch with the actual health care needs of the nation. Furthermore, organized psychology must remind policymakers that psychologists provide health services in areas of health care beyond mental health. The challenge to psychology is to ensure the continuation of adequate and timely access to appropriate psychological and behavioral health care. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Patient information and its use by therapists differing in theoretical orientation.

151 therapists (whose orientations were self-identified as psychodynamic, behavioral, family systems, or eclectic) were presented with 3 contrived case histories. Analysis of Ss' responses revealed that patient information was grouped along 3 major dimensions: the patient's demographic background characteristics, interpersonal characteristics, and readiness for psychological intervention. Ss' use of patient information in the conceptualization process yielded similar dimensions but suggested that Ss with different approaches used information differently. Most differences were predictable from S's theoretical orientation. (8 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Trainee theoretical orientation: Profiles and potential predictors.

The goal of this study was to provide data on the theoretical orientations of a sample of therapists in-training, as well as to investigate constructs that may help to predict identification with a particular theoretical orientation(s). Data on therapist theoretical orientation and personality were gathered from 46 graduate student therapists in 4 APA accredited clinical and counseling psychology programs. Although psychodynamic therapy was the most strongly endorsed single theoretical framework across the sample, the orientation with the highest mean rating was an eclectic/integrative approach. A 2-step cluster analysis was used to create orientation profiles to further explore psychotherapy integration, which produced a 3-cluster solution: (a) humanistic/systems/psychodynamic, (b) psychodynamic, and (c) cognitive–behavioral. A significant main effect for cluster membership and personality factors was found, and a chi-square analysis indicated differential representation across the three “integration clusters” as a function of training program. Implications for psychotherapy integration and training are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Silk purses into sow's ears: The decline of psychological testing and a suggestion for its redemption": Comment.

Comments on D. Bersoff's (see record 1974-10145-001) article on psychological testing, noting that Bersoff appears to exhibit a significant lack of familiarity with the fundamental principles of psychodynamic psychological testing. Bersoff's views about contextual factors in testing, what IQ tests reveal, and what it is about people that psychologists wish to measure are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A new look at psychological testing: Psychological testing from the standpoint of a behaviorist: Reply.

Suggests that J. Greenspoon and C. D. Gersten's (see record 1968-00067-001) critique of psychological testing emphasizes a behavioral perspective without regard to relevant realities. The communication of test results and their implications to allied hospital personnel, the behavioral vs psychodynamic orientation of practitioners, and the relation of test behaviors to extra-test situations are addressed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A biopsychosocial formulation of pain communication.

We present a detailed framework for understanding the numerous and complicated interactions among psychological and social determinants of pain through examination of the process of pain communication. The focus is on an improved understanding of immediate dyadic transactions during painful events in the context of broader social phenomena. Fine-grain consideration of social transactions during pain leads to an appreciation of sociobehavioral events affecting both suffering persons as well as caregivers. Our examination considers knowledge from a variety of perspectives, including clinical health psychology, social and developmental processes, evolutionary psychology, communication studies, and behavioral neuroscience. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Contemporary trends in substance abuse.

A clinical consensus has evolved as to the specific areas to be addressed in a comprehensive clinical interview with substance abusers. Knowledge of specific psychopathology and associated comorbidities among addicts will refine this assessment. There are several reasonably reliable and valid objective psychological tests that can be used to provide supplementary information for diagnostic and treatment decisions. Etiological theories, including the disease concept, family systems theory, psychodynamic formulations, and behavioral approaches, have generated treatment interventions of clinical utility. Recent research suggests that psychotherapy, combined with traditional approaches, results in increased therapeutic benefits that were heretofore considered unlikely. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The working alliance within time-limited therapy: A case analysis.

The working alliance across stages of time-limited psychodynamic treatment was investigated using an intensive case-analysis approach. Two White, male clients in their 20s were treated by the same therapist with process data obtained from the perspectives of client, therapist, and independent judge. As predicted, clients' perceptions of the working alliance increased, dropped, and then increased over the course of treatment. The implications of these results for a stage-process model of time-limited treatment and for future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The future of clinical assessment.

In the past 20 yrs, there have been endless arguments over the virtues, limitations, and utility of clinical psychological testing, and alternative perspectives have evolved tied to differing views of personality and clinical intervention. Although investment in the testing role has declined for several reasons, clinical assessment remains an important focus of the clinician's work, and new developments in several areas suggest a revitalization of the field as well as a rapprochement among competing orientations to clinical intervention. The present article reviews emerging trends in the use of projective and objective personality tests, behavioral assessment, clinical interviewing, environmental assessment, and medical uses of psychological assessment. The authors believe that clinical assessment is vital in clinical service, research, and the training of clinical psychologists. (74 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Leonard Krasner (1924-2007).

Leonard Krasner was a psychologist with a degree in experimental psychology. He was known for his influential review of verbal conditioning studies that were published in Psychological Bulletin. After collaborating with a student, Leonard Ullmann, the two Lens began a collaboration that lasted more than 20 years. Their early work on verbal conditioning was followed, in 1965, by two landmark books: Case studies in behavior modification and Research in behavior modification. The books announced the term "behavior modification" and featured the work of many friends Len Krasner had made and invited to the Palo Alto VA to give presentations. In 1969 they published A psychological approach to abnormal behavior, which was the first, and is still the best, behavioral book on the topic. They followed that in 1973 with Behavior influence and personality, which remains one of the best integrative textbooks, combining sociological and behavioral perspectives. Leonard Krasner died November 28, 2007, in Reno, Nevada. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Generalization of social skills: Risks of choosing form over function.

Comments on the study of commercial social-skills training programs by G. J. DuPaul and T. L. Eckert (see record 1995-07692-001). Discrimination and generalization are seen as the only important processes associated with interventions. Generalization is viewed from the perspectives of behavioral form and behavioral function. Functional analysis of undesirable behavior can identify the conditions under which acceptable social behavior can best be taught and maintained over time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)