Reply to "A comment on alcoholism, alpha production, and biofeedback."

Replies to A. G. Glaros's (see record 1978-08480-001) critical comments concerning the research of F. W. Jones and D. S. Holmes (1976) in which it was found that alpha biofeedback training was ineffective with alcoholics. It is concluded that the criticisms do not necessitate a rejection of the data but instead highlight the questionable incremental validity of biofeedback training in clinical settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comment on "Effects of anxiety and sex on neuropsychological tests."

Discusses difficulties in interpretation of the results of a sex effect on the Finger Tapping Test (FT) found by G. D. King et al (see record 1979-06024-001). Specifically, psychometric considerations for questioning the validity of neuropsychological tests are discussed, and previously published normative data bearing on the interpretation of FT performance are identified. The difficulties of conducting research on human brain–behavior relationships are noted. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clinical samples of children with below-average IQs are not "nonimpaired" and other troubles: Comment on Klesges and Sanchez.

R. C. Klesges and V. C. Sanchez (see record 1981-09257-001) investigated the validity of an index of premorbid intellectual functioning for children that was derived from demographic data. However, the use of clinical samples without knowledge of actual premorbid IQs belies the logic of the investigation. Specific factual errors are also noted. Contrary to their interpretations, the Klesges and Sanchez results can make no statement regarding the validity of the index. (2 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On "The reality of repressed memories."

Comments on E. F. Loftus's (see record 1993-37888-001) review of data on patients' recovery of repressed memories of sexual abuse in psychotherapy. Concerns are raised about the selection of the data reviewed, the validity of Loftus's assumptions, and the apparent factual inaccuracies that she used to support her conclusions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Determining neuropsychological "strengths" and "weaknesses" on the Luria-Nebraska: Good practice or wishful thinking?

Comments on the proposal by C. R. Reynolds (see record 1982-27041-001) that strengths and weaknesses can be determined statistically from patient profiles on the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery. The present authors contend that this proposal is inappropriate because it assumes that construct validity exists for each scale. It is suggested that inappropriate methods of test interpretation should be avoided. (11 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A closer look at Galbraith's "closer look."

Responds to comments by R. C. Galbraith (see record 1982-11821-001) on the mathematical properties and empirical basis of R. B. Zajonc and G. B. Markus's (see record 1975-09290-001) confluence model of sibling spacing and intellectual development. The present authors contest Galbraith's critique of the model's internal consistency and predictive validity, and state that if Galbraith's data on Mormon college students are analyzed properly, they may shed light on within- and between-families factors affecting intellectual development. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Rebuttal to and constructive comments on "Construct validity of the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale."

Responds to a claim by M. F. Schwartz and J. R. Graham (see record 1980-02442-001) that they have further established the construct validity of the MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale (MAC). Several questions are raised regarding the design of the study and treatment of the data on which conclusions are drawn. It is proposed that the major problem rests with the discrete dichotomous nature of the response categories of the MAC and the improper analysis of the response data in the study being critiqued. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comment on Kaufman's "Should short-form validity coefficients be corrected?"

As more and more subtests are added to the short form, its validity as determined by McNemar's formula approaches unity, whereas the upper limit to its validity as determined by the corrected formula is the reliability of the Full Scale. This difference seems to correspond to Kaufman's distinction between using the short form as part of the Full Scale and using it as a replacement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comment on Holloway and McNally's (1987) "Effects of anxiety sensitivity on the response to hyperventilation."

W. Holloway and R. J. McNally (see record 1988-07600-001) found that normals with high scores on the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), an instrument developed to assess beliefs regarding the adverse consequences of anxiety, reported more anxiety and more frequent and intense somatic sensations following hyperventilation than did normals with low scores on the ASI. They concluded that this result provides support for the construct validity of the ASI and thus for the construct of anxiety sensitivity. Nevertheless, we argue that (a) the developers of the ASI have conflated beliefs regarding the adverse consequences of anxiety with fear of these consequences, (b) the accumulated evidence for the construct validity of the ASI is weak, and (c) Holloway and McNally's design and analyses do not permit them to exclude the more parsimonious explanation that trait anxiety accounts for their findings. Implications for research on anxiety sensitivity are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Schools of "thought."

Challenges J. Wolpe's (see record 1979-12261-001) assertion that cognitive (COG) formulations add little to an adequate understanding and treatment of psychological disorders. Conceptual and empirical issues are addressed. Although COG therapies may not be unequivocally superior to other methods, preliminary data suggest that COG approaches may contribute to the clinical effectiveness of psychological or behavioral treatments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Inferences from personnel tests and their validity": Correction to Lawshe.

Reports an error in "Inferences from personnel tests and their validity" by C. H. Lawshe (Journal of Applied Psychology, 1985[Feb], Vol 70[1], 237-238). On page 238, line 4, the word "each" appears and should be "such." The sentence will, therefore, refer "to the use of such cognitive processes as inductive and deductive reasoning and such characteristics of temperament as emotional stability and self-esteem." (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 1985-16032-001.) Contends that despite clear definitions in standard sources, psychologists persistently refer to the validity of tests instead of the validity of inferences from test scores. This persistence leads to references to "kinds of validity" when, in fact, there are "kinds of validity analysis strategies" whereby data are collected or generated to determine or defend the extent, degree, or strength of the inference or inferences that can be made from a set of test scores. It is concluded that content validity analysis strategies are appropriate only when the job behavior under scrutiny falls at the observation end of the continuum; when such behavior approaches the abstract end of the continuum, a construct validity analysis strategy is indicated. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The evidentiary status of social science under Daubert: Is it "scientific," "technical," or "other" knowledge?

The U.S. Supreme Court assumed the difficult task of establishing the threshold standard for the admissibility of expert testimony that is based on "scientific" knowledge in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals (113 S. Ct. 2786, 1993). Psychology confronts a significant challenge under Daubert, which calls for judges themselves to make determinations of scientific validity rather than merely looking to the pertinent scientific community for approval. Daubert identifies 4 factors lower courts can use to determine scientific validity: falsifiability, error rate, peer review and publication, and general acceptance. It is argued that expert testimony on eyewitness identification would hold up fairly well to these scientific validity factors, whereas expert testimony on repressed memories might not. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Haviland, McGuire, and Rothbaum's "A critique of Plomin and Foch's twin study."

Replies to the criticism of J. M. Haviland et al (see record 1984-11539-001) of the present authors' (see record 1981-25190-001) twin study of objectively assessed personality in childhood. No merit is found in the criticisms of Haviland et al concerning conceptual validity and stability of the measures, comparability of populations, the accuracy of the literature review, or the appropriate interpretation of broad heritability. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Use of canonical analysis in Cropley's "A five-year longitudinal study of the validity of creativity tests."

A reanalysis of A. J. Cropley's (see record 1972-20996-001) data contradicts his conclusion that creativity tests have long-range predictive validity. The canonical correlations between a criterion set of 4 indices of high school achievement in art, drama, literature, and music, and a predictor set of 6 scores on creativity tests taken 5 yrs earlier-.52 for boys and .46 for girls-are not significantly different from zero. A novel procedure used by Cropley to assess the "predictive validity" of the creativity tests, which involves dichotomizing scores on canonical variates, is shown to be questionable. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reaction to "Increase in assertiveness and actualization as a function of didactic training."

A recent article by R. C. Goddard (see record 1981-28392-001) described a study in which didactic training led to gains in self-actualization, as measured by the Personal Orientation Inventory (POI). From research regarding the POI's validity, an alternate conclusion to Goddard's is suggested: Didactic training produces changes in knowledge about self-actualization, not self-actualization itself. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Male gender role conflict: Psychometric issues and relations to psychological distress:" Correction.

Reports an error in the original article by G. E. Good et al (Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1995 [Jan], Vol 42 [1], 3-10). On page 6, the numbers on line 2 for the Tucker-Lewis fit index should be .827 (Sample 2) and .830 (Sample 3). (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1995-15746-001.) Two distinct deficits in research on male gender role conflict are addressed: (a) lack of psychometric information and (b) lack of research involving clinical samples. First, using 1,043 men across 3 samples, the psychometric properties of the Gender Role Conflict Scale (GRCS) were examined through confirmatory analyses, internal consistency estimation, and construct validation. Next, using 130 male university counseling center clients across 2 samples, the relation between gender role conflict and psychological distress was examined. The GRCS demonstrated good internal consistency and was best modeled as 4 intercorrelated factors, as originally proposed by J. M. O'Neil, B. Helms, R. Gable, L. David, and L. Wrightsman (1986). Construct validity was supported through correlations with attitudes about masculinity, fear of intimacy, and social desirability in expected directions. However, male gender role conflict was significantly related to psychological… (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A metacognitive approach to "implicit" and "explicit" evaluations: Comment on Gawronski and Bodenhausen (2006).

Comments on the article by B. Gawronski and G. V. Bodenhausen (see record 2006-10465-003). A metacognitive model (MCM) is presented to describe how automatic (implicit) and deliberative (explicit) measures of attitudes respond to change attempts. The model assumes that contemporary implicit measures tap quick evaluative associations, whereas explicit measures also consider the perceived validity of these associations (and other factors). Change in explicit measures is greater than implicit measures when new evaluative associations are formed and old associations are rejected. Implicit measure change is greater than explicit when newly formed evaluative associations are rejected. When implicit and explicit evaluations conflict, implicit ambivalence can occur. The authors relate the MCM to the associative-propositional evaluation model and explain how the MCM builds on the attitude strength assumptions of the elaboration likelihood model of persuasion. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"'Normal' personality inventories in clinical assessment: General requirements and the potential for using the NEO Personality Inventory": Reply.

Responds to comments by Y. S. Ben-Porath and N. G. Waller (see record 1992-25755-001), noting that (1) no self-report instrument can provide a complete clinical evaluation, but personality measures may contribute to the evaluation; (2) the use of validity scales is controversial and cannot supplant clinical judgment; (3) the NEO Personality Inventory embodies a hierarchical model of personality structure that can aid the interpretation of profiles; (4) anxiety, depression, and impulsiveness (inability to control urges) are all aspects of neuroticism; and (5) the time has come for a systematic reevaluation of all measures used in clinical assessment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Response to "Neuropsychological and psychosocial assessment of the brain-injured person: Clinical concepts and guidelines."

Comments on L. I. Cripe's (see record 1990-01831-001) discussion of neuropsychological and psychosocial assessment of brain-injured persons (BIPs). How long the performance of fixed comprehensive batteries should be delayed is addressed, and the validity of measures used in the assessment of BIPs (an issue not emphasized by Cripe) is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Psychotherapy" Versus "Treatment".

Presents a comment on "Psychological treatments" (see record 2004-21168-001) by D. H. Barlow. Barlow proposed that we distinguish between the terms "treatment" and "psychotherapy." The author believes that not only is the distinction unnecessary, but that its implications could have negative consequences for the field of clinical psychology. It is the proposed distinguishing feature that treatments are "specifically tailored to the pathological process that is causing the impairment and distress" that is most problematic. Clinical psychology does not need a distinction that further exacerbates the split between researchers and practitioners. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)