"Cognitive-behavioral therapy in geriatric depression": Reply to Riskind, Beck, and Steer.

Responds to the challenge by J. H. Riskind et al (see record 1986-12531-001) to the interpretation by J. L. Steuer et al (see record 1984-21146-001) that changes observed on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in depressed geriatric patients treated with cognitive-behavioral (CB) group psychotherapy did not demonstrate superiority for CB therapy over a psychodynamic approach. Riskind et al proposed that somatic items on the other rating instruments used might not be valid in geriatric patients and thus might render those scales less sensitive. Reanalyses of the psychotherapy data and data from a placebo-controlled study of tricyclic antidepressants by the present 3rd author et al (see record 1983-21474-001) did not support this assertion. Somatic items proved to be sensitive to change in both studies. (8 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Sex bias in psychological research: Progress or complacency?": Response.

Responds to the L. Gannon et al (see record 1992-23274-001) comments on the F. L. Denmark et al (see record 1988-34553-001) paper, "Guidelines for Avoiding Sexism in Psychological Research." The authors note that the intent of Denmark et al was to point out common examples of sex bias in psychological research and offer scientifically sound recommendations to prevent or reduce sex bias. However, the authors reaffirm the scientific need to analyze and report sex differences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Effective dissemination of energy-related information: Applying social psychology and evaluation research": Rejoinder.

Responds to comments by E. S. Geller (see record 1992-37385-001) and P. B. Crabb (see record 1992-37381-001) on the M. L. Dennis et al (see record 1991-08669-001) review of social and behavioral science literature related to energy conservation (EC). The Dennis et al article was not an attempt to recommend a comprehensive EC policy but rather intended to show how prior research and experience could be used to make information more effective in producing changes in public behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the confounding of "hassles" stress and outcome.

Comments on the argument between R. S. Lazarus et al (see record 1986-10770-001) and B. P. Dohrenwend and P. E. Shrout (see record 1986-10765-001) about confounding problems in studies examining the relationship between stress and psychopathology/symptomatology. It is suggested that neither addressed the major problem: the ability to separate statistically and conceptually the relative contributions of objective events and subjective appraisal of those events. Findings of the present author and colleagues (1981; also see record 1986-04136-001) are discussed to illustrate the point. (8 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Women's role in psychotherapy": Reply to Solomon, Penzer, and Barber.

Suggests that I. Solomon et al (see record 1984-29323-001) were unaware, in their comment on the work of R. T. Hare-Mustin (see record 1984-07313-001), that others also consider Freud's treatment of Dora as lacking in trust and respect. It is suggested that Hare-Mustin was not confusing family treatment with psychoanalysis but was pointing out Freud's bias in the case. It is concluded that if Solomon and colleagues felt that they had to defend Freud against all criticism, they undervalued Freud's genius. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comment on "The use and abuse of human figure drawings."

Comments on R. W. Motta et al's (see record 1994-04005-001) conclusion that the use of human figure drawings to assess intelligence is invalid. While Motta et al are generally successful in documenting the shortcomings of these tests, their literature review is not exhaustive. However, the arguments of Motta et al should be heeded because they are based on empirical data. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Misrepresentation of pornography research: Psychology's role": Comment.

S. Page (see record 1989-29305-001), in his critique of D. G. Linz et al (see record 1988-04285-001), argues that violence has increased in pornography in recent years. The present author cites 2 longitudinal studies of pornography that find no increase in violence in homosexual or heterosexual pornography. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A comment on "Phonological recoding and reading."

Discusses 2 points raised in an article by L. X. McCusker et al (see record 1981-11846-001) on the role of phonological recoding in reading: (1) McCusker et al equated phonological mediation with the application of spelling–sound correspondence rules. The present study argues that such an assumption is not valid. (2) McCusker et al concluded that phonologically mediated semantic access decreases with reading skill. The present study argues that current data do not support this view. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A different answer to the question, "Do sex-related differences in spatial abilities exist?"

Refutes the findings of P. J. Caplan et al (see record 1986-10956-001) that sex differences in spatial ability do not exist or are currently unproven. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Methodological comments on "Teaching thinking skills."

Comments that the study by R. J. Herrnstein et al (see record 1987-08654-001), though important for both educational psychology and teaching, has flaws in design and analysis of data. A reanalysis of the data is recommended. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comment on Putnam, Adams, and Schneider, 'One day test-retest reliability of neuropsychological tests in a personal injury case."

In an article in Psychological Assessment, S. H. Putnam et al (see record 1993-04124-001) presented a case study in which retesting by separate examiners over a brief time period yielded consistent results. Although Putnam et al raised a number of points that deserve attention, some of their suggestions about the relevance of their case to legal assessments seem to extend well beyond what their data and methodology justify, and they misrepresented D. Faust and J. Ziskin's (see record 1989-11643-001) views on psychology and law. The author discusses limits of the case study method and clarifies his views on the use of psychological evidence in the courtroom. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Comparative practice of psychological assessment by clinical psychologists": Reply.

Replies to comments by J. Hunsley (see record 83:28521) on the original article by C. E. Watkins et al (see record 1995-23048-001) on the practice of psychological assessment by clinical psychologists. While Watkins et al feel that Hunsley raises some valid points, they contend that he goes too far in referring to their conclusions as inaccurate, not warranted, and as having effects that could be unfortunate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Do not discount lay opinion": Comment.

Comments on the article by S. M. Kassin et al (see record 2001-17140-001) which discussed eye witness testimony. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The ethics of asking about abuse and the harm of "don't ask, don't tell."

Replies to comments by J. Read (see record 2007-07130-012), D. Gleaves et al (see record 2007-07130-013), V. Edwards et al (see record 2007-07130-014), M. Black and R. Black (see record 2007-07130-015), and S. Ullman (see record 2007-07130-016), which raised important points about the authors' original article (see record 2006-03947-003). Those comments extend our thinking about how to ask participants about abuse in an ethical way. Together, the comments point to the importance of researchers examining our own reasons for asking--or not asking--about abuse and of paying attention to how we respond when we ask. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Effects of age and gender on perceived facial attractiveness": Reply.

Responds to comments by R. H. Bradshaw et al (see record 1995-01642-001) on B. McLellan and S. J. McKelvie's study (see record 1993-45212-001) investigating the effects of age and gender on attractiveness of photographs of faces. Although the major result of this study was a negative relationship between age and perceived attractiveness, the authors conclude that sociobiological theory received qualified support, with 4 out of 6 revised predictions confirmed. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Response to "Cognitive remediation following traumatic brain injury."

Comments on the discussion by J. S. Kreutzer et al (see record 1990-02650-001) on cognitive remediation (CRM) following traumatic brain injury and proposes that a central problem in CRM should be viewed as one of motivation and attitude. The heterogeneity of neuropathology and supported employment interventions are examined. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

""Some misgivings about the Matching Familiar Figures Test as a measure of reflection-impulsivity": Commentary reply.

Attempts to clarify issues raised by J. Block et al (see record 1975-03118-001) regarding the conceptualization, validity, and interpretation of reflection-impulsivity. It is suggested that Block et al selectively emphasized reviews of studies on preschool rather than school-age children and did not distinguish among the various sources of anxiety that mediate performance on tests with response uncertainty. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Calling a freeze on "stress wars": There is hope for adaptational outcomes.

Comments on the combatant styles used by R. S. Lazarus et al (see record 1986-10770-001) and B. P. Dohrenwend and P. E. Shrout (see record 1986-10765-001) in their contributions on confounded measures. It is suggested that how to go about explaining stress must be better understood and that it is essential to find principles for predicting the stress response from extant perspectives. (7 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Do sex-related differences in spatial abilities exist? A multilevel critique with new date": Comment on Caplan, MacPherson, and Tobin.

Suggests that the article by P. J. Caplan et al (see record 1986-10956-001) about sex-related differences in spatial ability is outdated and inadequate. (7 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comment on Costanzo et al.'s "Energy conservation behavior: The difficult path from information to action."

Comments that the conceptual model developed by M. Costanzo et al (see record 1986-26040-001) is a significant addition to the area of information and behavioral influence. However, in contrast to the assertion by Costanzo et al, there are growing indications that the media can be effective in changing relatively simple behaviors, including energy conservation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)