Protecting the integrity of Rorschach expert witnesses: A reply to Grove and Barden (1999) re: The admissibility of testimony under Daubert/Kumho analyses.

The Rorschach Comprehensive System has been considered by W. M. Grove and R. C. Barden (1999) as inadmissible for expert psychological testimony according to the guidelines from the Daubert (1993), Joiner (1997), and Kumho (1999) decisions. This article refutes W. M. Grove and R. C. Barden's conclusions, arguing that the Rorschach Comprehensive System is (a) testable, (b) valid and reliable, (c) extensively peer reviewed, (d) associated with a reasonable error rate, (e) standardized, (f) accepted by a relevant and substantial scientific community, and (g) appropriate for a wide range of forensic issues. In drawing their negative conclusions, W. A Grove and R. C. Barden overlooked or minimized a substantial body of empirical data supporting the reliability and validity of the Rorschach Comprehensive System and misinterpreted the language and intent of the Supreme Court decisions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Failure of Rorschach-Comprehensive-System-based testimony to be admissible under the Daubert-Joiner-Kumho standard.

The Comprehensive System for the Rorschach (RCS) is currently the subject of intense scientific criticism. The normative data for many RCS scores are seriously in error and tend to make normal individuals appear maladjusted. Reliability is inadequate for many RCS scores, and validity for the great majority of RCS scores has not been adequately demonstrated. In addition, a substantial number of Rorschach Workshops studies, cited by B. Ritzler, R. Erard, and G. Pettigrew (2002) as supportive of the RCS, are unavailable for examination. Finally, B. Ritzler et al. misinterpret central issues of the relevant legal analysis, including crucial legal standards. The RCS clearly fails to meet the standards for admissibility set forth in the Daubert, Joiner, and Kumho decisions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Protecting the integrity of the legal system: The admissibility of testimony from mental health experts under Daubert/Kumho analyses.

The authors discussed to what degree testimony from social science and mental health experts (psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, therapists, others) meets admissibility requirements expressed by the U.S. Supreme Court in Daubert (1993), Joiner ( General Electric Co. v. Joiner , 1997) and the recent Kumho (1999) decision. They reviewed data on Daubert/Kumho indicia of reliability using 2 exemplar areas of mental health testimony: psychodiagnostic assessment by means of the Rorschach and other "projective" assessment techniques and the diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder and multiple personality disorder (dissociative identity disorder). They concluded that some testimony offered by mental health professionals relating to these concepts should not survive scrutiny under the framework of Daubert , Joiner , and Kumho . (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The problem of "helpfulness" in applying Daubert to expert testimony: Child custody determinations in family law as an exemplar.

In Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , (1993), the U.S. Supreme Court considered the meaning of Federal Rule of Evidence (FRE) 702 in regard to the admissibility of scientific evidence. In this article, the authors argue that the relevance, reliability, and helpfulness framework adopted by the Court offers little guidance to judges on how to apply its interpretation of FRE 702's admissibility standard. Using child custody decision making as an exemplar, the authors highlight the difficulties inherent in applying the Daubert standard to social science testimony and find no reason to assume that other topics in the behavioral and social sciences will operate differently under Daubert scrutiny. The article concludes by recommending steps that courts can take to improve the ability of judges to apply Daubert to scientific information. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of Daubert on the adissibility of expert testimony in state and federal criminal cases.

Appellate opinions were evaluated on variables related to expert admissibility to assess the effects of Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in criminal cases. Analysis reveals changes in appellate courts' consideration of Frye v. United States, the 4 Daubert criteria, and several Federal Rules of Evidence. The importance of Frye and the general acceptance criterion decreased over time, and the importance of the Daubert criteria increased over time. However, these changes were not consistent for all types of testimony. Overall, there is greater reliance on Daubert when determining the admissibility of a scientific expert. However, only criteria related to the Federal Rules of Evidence are reliably related to admissibility decisions. Details of appellate court application of the 4 Daubert criteria, the Federal Rules of Evidence, and other related factors are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to the final Special Section in the Special Series on the utility of the Rorschach for clinical assessment.

A Special Series was organized to clarify the merits of the Rorschach for clinical assessment. Except for a neutral meta-analytic review, articles were solicited from scholars known to have opposing views on the Rorschach. The authors participated in a structured, sequential, evidence-based dialogue that focused on strengths and limitations when using the Rorschach for applied purposes, The debate has taken place over 4 iterations, with later articles building on and reacting to those generated earlier. The first 5 articles in the Special Series were published earlier (G. J. Meyer, 1999), and the final 6 articles are published in this issue of Psychological Assessment. This article provides a brief overview of the full Special Series and an introduction to the 6 articles contained in this Special Section. The Special Series provides clinicians, researchers, educators, and students with a thorough review of the evidence and logic that are critical for understanding the Rorschach's strengths and limitations in clinical assessment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The impact of Daubert and its progeny on the admissibility of behavioral and social science evidence.

Although Daubert (1993) describes a test for admissibility that applies to all proffers of scientific evidence in the federal courts and many state courts, its application has not been uniform across the sciences. To assess Daubert's impact for behavioral and social science evidence, the authors describe and analyze the application of a set of criteria that include whether Daubert has mattered, whether the context in which Daubert is applied should matter, whether one can operationalize the application of the Daubert criteria to predict its outcome in specific cases, whether Daubert can assist in getting admissibility decisions right, and whether there are broader lessons beyond admissibility to be learned from Daubert . (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to the special section on assessment in psychological treatment: A necessary step for effective intervention.

Great changes are taking place in mental health treatment, because health care providers are placing constraints on therapists. Yet psychologists have been slow to react to these demands and have not incorporated personality measurement in treatment planning to address therapeutic effectiveness. Many therapists initiate therapy without obtaining a personality assessment in the early stages of therapy. Psychological assessment can, however, provide an effective means of detecting problems and motivation for therapy and can, if therapist test feedback is provided, serve to bring about desired behavior change more effectively than if assessment is not used. This Special Section is devoted to the potentially fruitful role psychological assessment can play in treatment planning. The contributors who were invited to write articles were chosen for their expertise in using psychological procedures in treatment planning. Their contributions provide important insights into methods for facilitating psychological therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role and relevance of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised in court: A case law survey of U.S. courts (1991-2004).

The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R; R. D. Hare, 1991, 2003) is the most empirically validated instrument for measuring psychopathy in correctional and forensic psychiatric populations. The PCL-R's predictive utility with criminal justice populations has led to its frequent use by clinicians conducting forensic assessments in criminal and sexually violent predator (SVP) cases. Despite its apparent wide acceptance in U.S. courts, little is known about how often the PCL-R is being introduced, the types of cases in which it is being used, and whether claims made in court regarding psychopathy are empirically defensible and/or relevant to the question at hand. This project documents some uses of the PCL-R in U.S. courts from 1991 through 2004 by year, jurisdiction, type of evaluation, and party. The results suggest that the PCL-R is being used by expert witnesses with increasing regularity across U.S. jurisdictions, primarily to assess risk of future violence. A review of 3 recent cases is also provided that illustrates concerns about the validity of the PCL-R for certain types of legal questions that may arise in criminal and SVP trials. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hindsight bias, Daubert, and the silicone breast implant litigation: Making the case for court-appointed experts in complex medical and scientific litigation.

Empirical research indicates that knowledge of the outcome in a given case influences juror deliberations. This bias is compounded when the jury must evaluate complex scientific evidence. Because jurors typically lack the background necessary to evaluate such evidence, they often use hindsight as a "cognitive shortcut." "Junk science" can exacerbate this tendency by offering a "scientific" link between the injury and the product. Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (1993), properly applied, can defuse junk science testimony and mitigate its distorting effect on legal outcomes. The authors argue that judges carrying out Daubert's prerogatives should, where feasible, appoint independent experts and science panels to educate themselves and the jury, and thereby improve the likelihood that legal decisions will be based on sound scientific understanding. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Children's Mental Health as a Primary Care and Concern: A System for Comprehensive Support and Service.

In response to the serious crisis in mental health care for children in the United States, this article proposes as a priority for psychology a comprehensive approach that treats mental health as a primary issue in child health and welfare. Consistent with the principles of a system of care and applying epidemiological, risk-development, and intervention-research findings, this approach emphasizes 4 components: easy access to effective professional clinical services for children exhibiting disorders; further development and application of sound prevention principles for high-risk youths; support for and access to short-term intervention in primary care settings; and greater recognition and promotion of mental health issues in common developmental settings and other influential systems. Integral to this approach is the need to implement these components simultaneously and to incorporate family-focused, culturally competent, evidence-based, and developmentally appropriate services. This comprehensive, simultaneous, and integrated approach is needed to achieve real progress in children's mental health in this country. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Brian Smedley: Award for Distinguished Early Career Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest.

Announces Brian Smedley as a recipient of the Award for Distinguished Early Career Contributions in the Public Interest for 2002. A biographical statement is included, along with major works and contributions for the field. Smedley received this award for his research and policy work addressing racial and ethnic disparities in health care and health status and other social and economic inequities faces by populations of color. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The psychologist as expert witness: A case report and analysis of personal experiences previously reported in the American Psychologist.

A personal experience of the author is related in which he appeared in court as an expert witness to indicate the implications of psychological test findings for the mental competence of a defendant. Previous reports of the psychologist testifying as an expert witness are cited, and several suggestions are made for improving communication in that area. From Psyc Abstracts 36:02:2AK21A. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"The dismantling of our health system: Strategies for the survival of psychological practice": A reply to Cummings.

Comments on the original article, The dismantling of our health system: Strategies for the survival of psychological practice by Nicholas A. Cummings (see record 1986-22651-001). In response to this article, the current author says "no, no, no!" He believes that "survival with this degree of compromise amounts to doing anything for a buck." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Award for Distinguished Early Career Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest: Keith Humphreys.

Keith Humphreys, recipient of the Award for Distinguished Early Career Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest, is cited for creatively combining a scientist’s commitment to rigor, a clinician’s emphasis on high-quality mental health care, and a policy analyst’s understanding of how to address and resolve social problems. His work as a program evaluator and policy analyst has informed important legislation that has enhanced access to and quality of mental health services for U.S. veterans within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Moreover, he has been a prime mover in shaping the Iraqi Ministry of Health’s effort to create a modern and equitable system of mental health care for the Iraqi community. A biography and selected bibliography of Humphreys' works are provided. In addition, Humphreys' paper, entitled "Responding to the psychological impact of war on the Iraqi people and U.S. veterans: Mixing icing, praying for cake," a version of which Hymphreys delivered at the American Psychological Association's annual convention, is presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The fickle fates of push and pull in the dissemination of mental health programs for children.

As the demand for evidence-based programs has increased, considerable research has concentrated on the development and testing of innovative and promising prevention and treatment programs. However, a knowledge gap remains between research in children's mental health and the educational and health services providers who could use the programs produced. In contrast to the elaborate national system set up for monitoring and disseminating medications, the infrastructures to support the evaluation and dissemination of prevention and treatment programs targeting children's mental health have only begun to be developed. Based on my experiences in a community-based research project that has worked for the last decade to develop and evaluate the WITS (Walk away, Ignore, Talk it out, and Seek help) programs for the prevention of peer victimization, I illuminate obstacles to the dissemination of evidence-based prevention programs for children and solutions that are beginning to address these obstacles. In particular, I argue that enduring, integrated community, provincial and federal infrastructures are needed to improve program dissemination and to monitor their effects on children's well-being. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reasons for clinical research: Characteristics of contributors and their contributions to the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

A representative sample of contributors (333) to the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology was asked to report on their motivations for conducting studies that had been published in that journal. Results indicate that the primary motivation of these clinical researchers was to build on prior theory and research through the gathering and analysis of new data to answer socially significant applied-clinical questions. More immediate pragmatic considerations (e.g., tenure, funding, degree or job requirements, and availability of Ss) were reported to be of secondary, but nevertheless significant, importance. Most respondents described the training model in which they had received their doctoral education or oriented toward an integrated scientist-practitioner approach rather than one that focused primarily on research, therapy, or assessment training. It was also found that these clinical researchers rarely conducted investigations in the context of community service or consultation interventions or in order to replicate past research. Results are discussed in light of current controversies in clinical psychology concerning the optimal model for training and the relevance of clinical research. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social norms and the expression and suppression of prejudice: The struggle for internalization.

The authors studied social norms and prejudice using M. Sherif and C. W. Sherif's (1953) group norm theory of attitudes. In 7 studies (N=1, 504), social norms were measured and manipulated to examine their effects on prejudice; both normatively proscribed and normatively prescribed forms of prejudice were included. The public expression of prejudice toward 105 social groups was very highly correlated with social approval of that expression. Participants closely adhere to social norms when expressing prejudice, evaluating scenarios of discrimination, and reacting to hostile jokes. The authors reconceptualized the source of motivation to suppress prejudice in terms of identifying with new reference groups and adapting oneself to fit new norms. Suppression scales seem to measure patterns of concern about group norms rather than personal commitments to reducing prejudice; high suppressors are strong norm followers. Compared with low suppressors, high suppressors follow normative rules more closely and are more strongly influenced by shifts in local social norms. There is much value in continuing the study of normative influence and self-adaptation to social norms, particularly in terms of the group norm theory of attitudes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Award for Distinguished Contributions to the International Advancement of Psychology: Henry P. David.

The Committee on International Relations in Psychology confers the Award for Distinguished Contributions to the International Advancement of Psychology to an individual who has made sustained and enduring contributions to international cooperation and advancement of knowledge in psychology. This year's recipient is Henry P. David. His work is represented in 14 books and over 300 scientific papers that he has edited or co-authored. He has mentored dozens of educators and psychologists around the world who have been inspired by his wisdom and commitment to the improvement of family life. His persistent yet compassionate leadership skills have steered him to the helm of many organizations, including the International Council of Psychologists, the Division on Population and Environmental Psychology, and the APA Committee on International Relations in Psychology. Henry P. David's continuing dedication to the interactions of psychology with mental health and population concerns around the globe represents the finest ideals of our Association. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Role of Biological and Environmental Contexts in the Integration of Psychology: A Reply to Posner and Rothbart.

The unification of psychology is an important goal, and Posner and Rothbart (this issue) do psychology a great service in proposing Hebb's (1949) model as a basis for unification (see record 2004-20689-003). But Hebb's model deals only with a biological level of analysis. A more comprehensive plan for unification would deal with ecological and cultural levels of analysis as well. In this article, I propose a more encompassing basis for thinking about unification, and give an example of how taking into account cultural context may change one's perspective on psychological phenomena. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)