Testing in State Hospitals: Comment.

Replies to a comment made by Paul Hauck (1959). The author uses Hauck's comment as an opportunity to examine some assumptions and assertions of various psychologists in and out of state hospital service. The author's main concern is that if psychologists confine themselves to tests and become too closely identified with them, they may suddenly find themselves without function in working with emotionally disturbed humans if it is finally decided that personality testing is invalid or irrelevant or both. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological Testing Policies in Seventeen Midwestern State Hospitals.

In an attempt to explore policies on psychological testing functions in state hospitals, a questionnaire was sent to 24 state hospital psychology departments in five northern Midwest states. This brief comment summarizes the 17 replies and their potential implications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychologists in State Mental Hospital Systems Resurveyed.

Five years ago the authors reported findings of a survey of certain basic features of classifications of psychologists within state mental hospital systems (Amer. Psychologist, 19S8, 13, 471-476). In an effort to make information more available regarding the contemporary status and changes within these systems, another survey was initiated in the late fall of 1962, utilizing procedures of the earlier investigation. Under the egis of the Virginia Psychological Association, letters were forwarded to the mental hospital authority of each state along with a 3-page questionnaire covering activities, qualifications, and salaries associated with established classes of psychologists. When the two surveys are compared, perhaps the most noteworthy finding is the greater refinement and differentiation in levels of psychologists. In the earlier study, psychologists' classifications were differentiated, on the average, into four levels; the median now falls at five. Positions corresponding to pre- and postdoctoral traineeships are more numerous. Five states now include individual positions using a research title or have established a supplementary system of classification primarily devoted to research activity. The salient need for comprehensive information, the diversity of state systems involved, and the difficulty of integrating relatively disparate surveys indicate that serious consideration should be given to a centralized approach to provide a nexus for stabilizing the kinds of data gathered and for their uniform public presentation. It is strongly recommended that a solution to this problem of furnishing valid information for consultation and other purposes be brought about through a systematic programing of surveys involving reciprocal action, mutual responsibility, and a coordination of efforts by the national and state psychological associations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Base Rates of Traumatic Brain Injury History in Adults Admitted to State Psychiatric Hospitals: A 3-Year Study.

Objectives: To determine the base rate of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adults admitted to state psychiatric hospitals. Participants: A total of 3,133 psychiatric patients between the ages of 18 and 60 years old from 7 state facilities were screened for TBI and associated sequelae during a 3-year study period. Method: Comprehensive medical chart/documentation review and treating psychiatrist assessment. Results: A total of 524 (16.73%) had a documented history of TBI, 195 (6.22%) held a previous diagnosis of organic mental disorder at time of admission, 57 (1.82%) had clinical symptoms considered to be consistent with TBI sequelae, and 201 (6.42%) were diagnosed with dysfunction of thinking secondary to TBI. Conclusions: Findings support specific assessment for TBI in these populations, especially in light of previous studies suggesting that psychiatric patients with a history of TBI may require more specialized treatments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On State Psychological Associations.

Discusses the purpose and useful functions of state psychological associations. The author suggests other ways a psychologist can enhance his or her knowledge in their field aside from state psychological associations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

State certification of school psychologists.

"Nine questions… were answered by the responsible departments of all 50 states and the District of Columbia." 23 states and the District of Columbia are reported as having certification requirements. General requirements stipulated by states with explicit certification standards are specified in a table. The "majority of states are certifying psychological personnel mainly to assist in the placement of children for special education… . There are encouraging signs that certification requirements are gradually being improved." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reply to Dr. Rotgers' Letter.

Replies to the letter by Rotgers (see record 2005-09346-005) on the current author's original article (see record 1981-11085-001). Dr. Rotgers' letter is valuable, since it provides an excellent example of the fact that practice does not always conform to the "black letter" of the law. The current author is pleased to learn that New Jersey legislated their custom, for to rely on custom alone for the recognition of professional psychology is dangerous indeed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychology and the State Associations.

Comments upon Robert Perloff's comment (1964) on state associations. The author mentions some things that Perloff might discover if he approached the problem as a psychologist. It is noted that the status and support of any science or profession depends upon public understanding and appreciation. In simple self-interest, any psychologist who takes the trouble to be informed in these matters, and who wants to support himself rather than live on the efforts of his colleagues, will join his efforts with theirs to insure professional standards and status for those who serve the public in the name of psychology. This means support and utilization of state associations, for there is no other organ so well adapted to deal with professional problems and the public's interest. Also, aside from the important questions of standards and competence, state associations are ideally situated to deal constructively with the divisive forces in American psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The 1965 Congressional Inquiry into Testing: A Commentary.

The editorial advisors of the American Psychological Association has published the current issue of the American Psychologist to inform APA membership as fully as possible of the nature of the current attacks upon psychological testing and selection procedures. The attacks upon psychological testing and upon psychologist-guided selection methods reached a new height in 1965, climaxing in Congressional investigations by Senate and House Committees, accompanied by directives from the Executive side of the Government banning or restricting the uses of psychological instruments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Role satisfaction of psychologists in state hospitals.

"All midwestern, state employed, institutional psychologists listed in the 1960 APA Directory (N = 131) were requested to return an anonymous questionnaire. Seventy-one persons responded from the nine states included." As years of state employment increase the actual satisfaction and abstract expectation levels both rise. Master's level psychologists "tend to respond with a somewhat greater job satisfaction than do PhD staff members… . Psychologists who reported working in institutions with a frankly organic orientation express a lesser percentage of satisfaction on the PA [Professional Activities] scale than do psychologists reporting a psychologic orientation." State employed clinical psychologists "as a group are reasonably well satisfied spending almost 80% of their time in gratifying activities." From Psyc Abstracts 36:01:3AL23M. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reply to Carman.

Comments on the article by Philip M. Carman (see record 1990-55857-001), in which he discussed the work of professional psychologists. The current author suggests that he was somewhat surprised to note that Carman overlooked diagnostic (or "psychodiagnostic") testing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Composition of State Certification Boards.

Argues that although certification legislation has been largely the program of clinical psychologists, other practitioners--and particularly industrial psychologists--have become increasingly interested and involved in the problem. That industrial psychologists have not participated in certification or licensing until recently, in comparison with clinicians, is not surprising. The number of psychologists employed in industry was, until the postwar period, very small. Three decades ago there were barely two dozen full-time psychologists in industry. In spite of this history, however, industrial--and other--psychologists have already attained a significant and somewhat proportionate degree of representation in the administration of such legislation. To measure this participation, an analysis was made of the membership of existing certification and licensing boards. Data is presented that suggest that while industrial psychologists (and other nonclinicians) have played only a secondary role so far in the area of certification, they may not have lagged too far behind in proportionate participation in the administration of certification and licensing programs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Research survey: State mental health programs.

"In preparation for the 1959 meeting of chief psychologists in state mental health programs a questionnaire on research was prepared and sent to 77 psychologists who were either functioning as chief psychologists in state programs" or in similar positions. Replies were received from 39 individuals, representing 30 states. "Evaluation of treatment was listed most frequently as an area in need of research." At least 45 different types of ongoing research projects were listed. "Three factors were emphasized as the main obstacles to research in the state programs: lack of personnel… lack of funds… emphasis on service, with subsequent lack of time for research." Psychologists were "seen as the individuals most involved in mental health research in state programs." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"The citation of Soviet scholars by Western psychologists": Reply to Bierschenk.

Reply's to a comment by Bernhard Bierschenk (see record 2009-09661-001) on the current authors original comment in the November 1985 issue of the American Psychologist. Bierschenk has objected to the current author's reference to Marx, Engels, and Zeigarnik as "Soviet scholars." In the case of Marx and Engels, he is absolutely correct—they are not "Soviet scholars" in the literal, geographic sense—and Solo thanks him for his response. However, Solo is defending his labeling of Zeigarnik as a "Soviet scholar." Even though she was an early member of the "Bediner Schule," studied with Lewin, and published some early works in the German Inn mmm% she spent most of her professional life at Moscow State University and other Russian institutions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Lewis M. Terman: Pioneer in psychological testing.

Reviews the book, Lewis M. Terman: Pioneer in psychological testing by Henry L. Minton (see record 1988-98726-000). Lewis Terman was one of the leading pioneers in the development of clinical tools and studies of individual differences. In the Preface to his book, Minton acknowledges that Terman was as controversial as he was influential and states that his biography seeks to provide a balanced view of Terman's life and works. As readers of this comprehensive volume will quickly find, Minton has been eminently successful in achieving this goal: His book not only highlights Terman's accomplishments, which were many, but also describes his shortcomings which, though fewer, were not nonexistent. Overall, Minton provides an extremely interesting, well-written, and probing account of the positive and the less-positive facets of his subject, both as a scientist and as a man. The book contains 11 chapters, describing Terman's life from his early years through his illustrious career at Stanford, up to his death in 1956, a month short of his 80th birthday. Throughout, Minton shows how Terman's upbringing, education, and the times and society in which he was raised contributed to shaping the person he was to become. Minton's biography of Terman, based primarily on an exhaustive reading of Terman's professional and personal papers and supplemented with interviews with former students and colleagues such as Nancy Bayley, Lee Cronback, Ernest Hilgard, and Robert Sears, and with members of Terman's family, provides a detailed and fascinating portrait of one of the major figures in psychology. The book's strengths are its consistently objective appraisal of its sometimes controversial subject, the scope of its coverage, the extensive documentation of its sources, and Minton's ability to set or to describe each of Terman's activities and the events in his life in their appropriate professional or social context. Readers from many walks will find this book interesting, informative, and well worth reading. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Supervisory and administrative clinical psychologists in U. S. psychiatric hospitals.

An analysis of job titles, salary ranges, education and experience requirements, working hours, etc., of clinical psychology positions requiring supervisory and/or administrative duties. It was concluded that the APA "could assist in standardization of titles and duties, equalization of salaries, and the definition of proper training for such roles." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Diagnostician, EdS, and PhD programs for school psychologists in Michigan: A correction and an addition.

Reports an error in "State Certification of School Psychologists" by Walter L. Hodges (American Psychologist, 1960[June], Vol 15, 346-349; see record 1961-02947-001). In Table 1 on page 347, for the University of Michigan, items are listed incorrectly. This article provides the corrections, and points out the rather effective compromise on the much debated problem of teacher certification and teaching experience. We believe that there are two good routes to becoming a school psychologist, one through psychology and the other through education, but course work is necessary in both. We now have a new academic degree, Specialist in Education (EdS), awarded by the Graduate School of the University of Michigan. This requires the completion of a carefully prepared program of studies leading to specific occupational opportunities. We do not refer to those who complete the diagnostician or EdS program as school psychologists, however they may be designated by employing institutions. We reserve this title for those who have completed the doctorate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hospital Health Care Delivery.

This article provides an overview of the articles that compose the Public Forum section of the American Psychologist. These articles explore the roles of psychologists (past, present, and future) in hospitals and the range of services that are or might be provided by the profession. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reputable Psychologists and Rational Psychiatrists.

Discusses images and occupational stereotypes of psychologists and psychiatrists practicing in psychiatric hospitals, focusing on depictions in the book Psychiatric Nurse (1963) by Jane Converse. While the story is a romance, it is seen as disillusioning about the "status of psychiatry as the sole source of deliverance for the disturbed." Responses to such images of interprofessional relationships in mental hospitals are imagined. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Classifications and salaries of psychologists in state mental hospital systems.

Afour-and-a-half page table summarizes job classifications and salaries of psychologists in the state mental hospital systems of 42 states. The data were acquired by means of a 3-page questionnaire directed to the various mental hospital authorities. "Although functions within state systems vary, indications are that the psychologist continues to find his role in this facet of public service administratively defined as one in which psychodiagnostic skills are primary." Noteworthy, however, "was the extent to which active involvement of the psychologist was also anticipated in the treatment process, research, and teaching of other institutional personnel." 2 states "specified that candidates for their top level positions must possess an ABEPP diploma, and two more expressed the desirability for such… . Twenty-five… states evidenced some enhancement of salary in the form of maintenance or residential perquisites." Major headings in the table refer to: state, job title, educational requirement, professional experience, annual salary, and residential perquisites. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)