Forensic psychology opportunities in Canadian graduate programs: An update of Simourd and Wormith's (1995) survey.

Forensic psychology has gained momentum in North America in recent decades, and Canadian psychologists have made considerable contributions to the field. Strong student interest and a high demand for professionals, however, have not been sufficiently matched with the availability of formal forensic psychology graduate training, nor with sufficient scholarly discussion of this issue. The purpose of the current study was to update Simourd and Wormith's (1995) survey of forensic psychology training available in Canadian psychology graduate programs. Of the 39 universities with psychology graduate programs, 36 (92%) responded to the survey. Twenty-four universities (67%) offered some forensic opportunities for students, although there was considerable variability in the number of courses, students, and faculty members in the forensic psychology programs. Since Simourd and Wormith's (1995) survey, forensic training is available at 10 new universities. Of the 14 programs with forensic psychology content in 1995 and in the current study, however, more than half of them reported a decrease in the number of faculty and students working with forensic issues. Considering the continued demand for trained forensic psychologists in applied settings, further attention to the availability of both education and training in forensic psychology is therefore still needed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The status of the psychology of consciousness within Canadian academic psychology.

Presents the results of a questionnaire sent to the heads of Canadian psychology and educational psychology departments to determine the availability of courses offered in the psychology of consciousness. Findings from 42 departments show that when it is covered, consciousness is usually dealt with incidentally. Few departments offer regular courses exclusively in the psychology of consciousness. Results suggest neglect of a fundamental aspect of human functioning. (French summary) (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multivariate statistics for family psychology research.

The application of selected multivariate statistics is illustrated for use in family psychology research. The use of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and discriminant analysis in factorial designs and profile analysis is discussed. Profile analysis provides a method for dealing with unit of analysis issues in family psychology research. Applications of confirmatory factor analysis are also discussed as useful methods for researchers examining multiple components of families and handling multiple perspectives of various family members. Limitations and applications of these methods in family psychology research are reviewed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Family psychology from an Israeli perspective.

A perspective of family psychology in Israel is drawn against a background of evolving indigenous elaboration suited to Israel's unique circumstances (J. I. Good & A. Ben-David, 1995). Its development shows a progression from the original source of an enriching but dominant culture (J. J. Gergen, A. Gulerce, A. Lock, & G. Misra, 1996; E. Halpern, 1985) to a discipline growing within the Israeli geopolitical reality, constraints of academic infrastructures, and training resources. One can currently recognize a discipline that is increasingly congruent with its cultural texture as well as the histories and traditions of individual families in a multifaceted society. This evolution is thought to bear similarities to the course that family therapy originally took and to where the roots of family psychology can be found. To echo F. W. Kaslow's (1987, 1991) analysis of this evolution in the US, the heritage of family psychology in Israel also basically lies in mainstream psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Families matter: Psychology of the family and the family of psychology.

Research on the family lies at the interface between basic and applied science. After tracing the scientific and practise roots of research on the family, I highlight that research to date has neglected the perspective of fathers. I propose that as in regular families, the family of Canadian psychology is diverse and constantly evolving. Key findings in psychology of the family include the importance of multiple perspectives, the benefits of quality time, and the toxic effects of conflict. These concepts apply equally to the family of Canadian psychology. I suggest that through involvement in the Canadian Psychological Association, psychologists can be enriched by multiple perspectives, can benefit from communication with one another to work together to advance psychology for all. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Training psychologists in family therapy in family institute settings.

Contends that pathways for training psychologists in family treatment approaches have yet to become well articulated, due to the traditional segregation of the fields of psychology and family therapy. The author examines the interface between one important source for such training, family institutes, and psychology training programs. The roots of the mutual misunderstanding between these institutions are examined, followed by a discussion of the strengths and potential difficulties of training psychologists in family institute settings. A set of recommendations is offered for how family institutes and psychology training programs can best work together. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

L’importance de la famille: Psychologie de la famille et famille de la psychologie.

Research on the family lies at the interface between basic and applied science. After tracing the scientific and practise roots of research on the family, I highlight that research to date has neglected the perspective of fathers. I propose that as in regular families, the family of Canadian psychology is diverse and constantly evolving. Key findings in psychology of the family include the importance of multiple perspectives, the benefits of quality time, and the toxic effects of conflict. These concepts apply equally to the family of Canadian psychology. I suggest that through involvement in the Canadian Psychological Association, psychologists can be enriched by multiple perspectives, can benefit from communication with one another to work together to advance psychology for all. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Integrating gay, lesbian, and bisexual issues into mainstream psychology.

Despite the growing clinical and research literature dealing with gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) issues, mainstream psychology has tended to ignore much of the work that has been done in this area. This article illustrates how clinical and research writings on GLB issues continue to remain invisible to mainstream psychology in such areas as life span development and aging, teenage suicide, substance abuse, victimization and abuse, and family and couple relationships. It also deals with some of the determinants of well-being among GLB individuals, such as family support, and notes the benefits accruing to mainstream psychology from studying GLB issues. A network of family members within psychology having GLB relatives has been formed--AFFIRM: Psychologists Affirming their Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Family--and is dedicated to supporting its own family members, encouraging other family members to do likewise, supporting research and clinical work on GLB issues, and closing the gap between GLB clinical and research work and mainstream psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cluster Analysis in Family Psychology Research.

This article discusses the use of cluster analysis in family psychology research. It provides an overview of potential clustering methods, the steps involved in cluster analysis, hierarchical and nonhierarchical clustering methods, and validation and interpretation of cluster solutions. The article also reviews 5 uses of clustering in family psychology research: (a) deriving family types, (b) studying families over time, (c) as an interface between qualitative and quantitative methods, (d) as an alternative to multivariate interactions in linear models, and (e) as a data reduction technique for small samples. The article concludes with some cautions for using clustering in family psychology research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Editor's report for Volume 2.

The Journal of Family Psychology has advanced into a new phase of its operation. Our efforts to establish the journal as a forum for high-quality contributions that cover the science and practice of family psychology have been successful. Volume 2 has covered the empirical, clinical, and theoretical areas of family psychology. Our goal is to continue attracting high-quality research articles and also to increase the flow of clinical articles. The journal is in sound condition as it enters its third volume of publication. We are still encouraging interested colleagues to become involved with the journal in any number of ways. Our major goal of bringing family systems thinking and family psychology and family therapy content into mainstream psychology has been established. We will continue to expand our efforts in this regard. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A training curriculum for professional psychologists in primary care.

Primary care psychology is a growing field that requires specific training opportunities for successful practice. The knowledge and skills that practitioners need for work in this setting are outlined here in detail. This curriculum integrates literature and experience in family psychology, health psychology, and pediatric psychology; considers multiple levels of education and training; and provides illustrative examples. It is a first attempt in an evolving process of integrating historical and cutting edge literature from many areas of psychology and other disciplines to contribute to comprehensive primary care psychology training. It can be used by programs and individual practitioners alike in designing education and training experiences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Neglected psychological issues in population research.

Proposes a new research orientation for population research, a psychology of population. This approach would include elements of social and developmental psychology (e.g., attitudes toward family planning, childhood socialization, sex roles, evaluation of different contraceptive methods, and family and group influences). Population psychology could integrate biological and social studies, provide a framework for studying the entire life cycle, and establish a methodology for evaluating micro- and macrosystems. The overall purpose of a psychology of population is presented as the ability to show (a) how biological variables are expressed in behavior and (b) the effects of basic drives on interpersonal, social, and cultural conditions and vice versa. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Triumph and tribulation in the history of American comparative psychology.

The accomplishments of the last 100 yrs of American comparative psychology have been exemplary. However, throughout this time the status of comparative psychology has been ambiguous. It has been the study of nonhumans in a science of human behavior and mind and thus peripheral to the main endeavor. The need for special resources, unique problems caused by work with animals, and frequent problems of job availability affected the development of the field. The accomplishments of comparative psychology have been achieved in spite of a substantial and continuous loss of young scientists initially attracted to the field but unable to sustain careers in comparative psychology. The tragedy of comparative psychology is that so many psychologists began their careers in animal research and later moved to other fields, especially educational psychology. The "miracle" is that so much was accomplished. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Florence W. Kaslow.

Presents an overview of the career of Florence W. Kaslow and her contributions to the field of psychology. Florence Kaslow's major contributions are in the areas of family and forensic psychology. Her leadership in establishing the American Board of Forensic Psychology (now a part of the ABPP Board) and serving as its first president has advanced the field of forensic psychology in terms of professional practice and public awareness. She helped form the Division of Family Psychology and served as its third president. Beyond her organizational and leadership contributions, Dr. Kaslow is noted as a teacher, clinician, editor, and author. She has edited or written 11 books and has over 100 articles and book chapters published on family, forensic, and other topics, including the self and family of the therapist. She has presented numerous lectures and workshops throughout the world and publicizes psychology as a frequent guest on TV and radio (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Family approaches to the problems of addictions: Recent developments.

Examines recent developments in family approaches to addiction by reviewing publications from the period 1984–88 in the areas of conceptual models, the family antidrug movement, family psychology, and the degree to which psychologists consider the family viewpoint. The existing family model appears to have been thoroughly explored and, perhaps, overinterpreted. While research shows that family members have a large influence on the initiation of drug use by adolescents, psychologists have not become involved in the family antidrug movement. Although family psychology has addiction as an area of interest, it is not a primary focus. Similarly, psychologists dealing with addictions are considering the family viewpoint but not focusing on it. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Is psychology a profession?

Maintains that assumptions about the identity of psychology, as science, as profession, or as some combination of the two, are fundamental to many issues that concern psychologists. Preferred models of training and forms of national association, for example, depend on the basic definitions of psychology that proponents of differing viewpoints presume. Commonly accepted characteristics of professions are identified, and the availability of a useful, communicable technology based on a reasonably coherent intellectual discipline is considered the most important attribute of a profession. The qualifications of psychology as a profession, with special emphasis on clinical applications of knowledge (in biological, individual, social, and community psychology) are reviewed. (56 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

To the editor.

This letter to the editor discusses the contributions to the field of family psychology that can be made by those theories and research findings of biology, medicine, sociology, and psychology that are not systems oriented. We should not forget that valuable research tools were developed that would have to be discarded if the systems approach reigns. Family psychology should be an integrative field of science--a field encompassing all relevant knowledge from other scientific areas under a family perspective-organizing and expanding it. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Professional ethics for graduate students in psychology.

Results of 2 independent questionnaires concerning the availability of courses on ethics for graduate students in psychology sent to various schools offering graduate work in psychology are combined. "Very few departments offer a course solely on professional ethics in psychology though several expressed plans for one in the future." "Ethics is handled best on a graduate level, in a seminar or colloquium, preferably on a required basis for all students, and definitely so for clinical students." "The APA code of professional ethics and journals are preferred sources of reference." "Professional training in ethics is a recent phenomenon coinciding with the APA research in this area and with the rise of clinical psychology." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Boys and violence: A gender-informed analysis.

This article discusses the phenomenon of youth violence from a psychology of gender perspective. Although other factors are discussed--including gun availability, violence-related media influence, family and caretaker factors, and effects of teasing and bullying--the intention is to highlight new thinking on the potential relationship between boys' traditional masculine socialization experiences and violence. In this new perspective, traditional masculine socialization estranges and isolates many boys from their genuine inner lives and vital connections to others, which is theorized to heighten their risk of engaging in acts of violence. The authors identify school and community programs that may be helpful in counteracting damaging socialization experiences and supporting boys' healthier emotional and psychological development. Finally, the article discusses approaches that psychologists and other mental health professionals can use to help address this vital issue. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)