On the advantages of reporting sex comparisons.

Refutes R. F. Baumeister's (see record 1989-14054-001) argument that the inclusion of sex-difference findings in research reports is undesirable from both political and scientific standpoints. A number of advantages stem from the study of sex differences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ending arousal's reign of error: A reply to Anderson.

The unsuitability of global arousal as an explanatory construct has been documented for more than a third of a century (R. Neiss; see record 1989-14248-001). K. J. Anderson's (see record 1990-11404-001) critique attempted to justify continued use of the arousal construct, principally by citing her group's theorizing and research. This reply counters Anderson's argument that cognitive performance and the effects of drugs are best conceptualized in terms of arousal by analyzing this research program. It is proposed that the theorizing presented by Anderson ignores affect by separating mind and body. The empirical studies cited in support of this theory generally fail to assess arousal, and interpret widely varying patterns of results as supportive of the theory, nearly precluding falsifiability. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Time-limited brief therapy has gone too far: The result is invisible rationing.

Proponents of managed care endorse time-limited brief treatment on the belief that time limits result in little or no harm to psychotherapy outcome. However, the research findings cited as favorable to time limits are based on erroneously classified research, and the related research is incorrectly interpreted. Properly classified and interpreted, the research indicates that time-limited therapy is in fact inferior to clinically determined treatment. Both research and reason indicate that time-limited therapy is not an equally effective alternative treatment but merely a form of rationing. Although rationing may be necessary, when time-limited therapy is promoted as equivalent to clinically determined treatment, the consumer is often unaware of the rationing. The result is the ethically questionable practice of invisible rationing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The measurement of technological progress and its relationship to war.

Comments on S. B. Sarason's (see record 1984-28403-001) argument for consideration of limitations on science and technology, particularly his assertion that war has been an influential factor in "progress" in these areas. A study by G. G. Brunk and G. J. Jason (1981) on the relation between US involvement in wars and the volume of patent applications is cited that questions Sarason's assertion. (3 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Why psychologists don't think like philosophers.

H. H. Kendler (see record 1994-09190-001), in his article on psychology and the ethics of social policy, argues in part that ethical imperatives cannot be inferred from empirical data. This argument is cited in opposition to what is purported to be the position of the American Psychological Association on the abortion issue. It is suggested that PhD candidates in psychology be well versed in the philosophical issues and debates that are the foundation for the formation of ethical principles. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Creativity and the cerebral hemispheres.

Comments on M. A. Dirkes's (see record 1979-24696-001) argument for fostering divergent (creative) thinking processes in the classroom, arguing that the notions of hemispheric differences used to support the argument are not strongly supported by research. Individual differences in hemispheric processing also create problems for Dirkes's argument. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Animal minds and evolution.

Argues that M. Blumberg and E. Wasserman's (see record 1995-20777-001) thesis that animal mentalists are victims of a fallacy akin to W. Paley's argument regarding adaptation by divine design represents a faulty analogy. The polemical use of authorities by Blumberg and Wasserman leaves a false impression of scholarly consensus among the authors cited on behalf of their position. The most salient weakness is said to be their comparison of attributions of design by divine artifice with attribution of behavioral flexibility to animal mind or consciousness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Accuracy and objectivity on behalf of the APA.

Responds to G. V. Barrett and S. B. Morris's (see record 1993-19875-001) comment on the article by S. T. Fiske et al (see record 1992-07509-001) praising the American Psychological Association's (APA's) amicus brief to the Supreme Court addressing gender stereotyping. The consensus of the experts in the area of gender stereotyping, which includes neither Barrett nor Morris, places their perspective as deviant. Barrett and Morris question a data base that is far broader than the illustrative studies cited in the brief. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The New York University conference on human problem solving.

"A conference of about 40 psychologists to explore the present status of research in the field of human problem solving was held at New York University… " in April 1954. "The program consisted of general papers and discussions in the mornings and brief reports of current research in the afternoons." Areas of agreement and disagreement and points of view of the conference discussants are cited. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gregory Daniel Webster: Psi Chi/APA Edwin B. Newman Graduate Research Award.

Presents a citation for Gregory Daniel Webster, who received the Psi Chi/APA Edwin B. Newman Graduate Research Award "for an outstanding research paper whose findings report that APA journal articles became shorter in length after the year 2000." A brief profile and a selected bibliography accompany the citation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A critique of Bem's "Exotic Becomes Erotic" theory of sexual orientation.

Two critiques of D. J. Bem's (see record 1996-01742-006) "Exotic Becomes Erotic" (EBE) theory of sexual orientation are presented. First, the core proposition of EBE theory is considered; that is, the idea that adults are erotically attracted to the gender-based class of peers (males or females) who were dissimilar or unfamiliar to them in childhood. Studies cited by Bem and additional research show that EBE theory is not supported by scientific evidence. Second, Bem's claim that his theory applies equally to both sexes is questioned; instead the argument that it neglects and misrepresents women's experiences is made. Bem's conceptualization of erotic desire and his analysis of gender nonconformity illustrate this problem. It is suggested that different theories may be needed to explain the development of men's and women's sexual orientation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reply to Alpert (1995).

Replies to J. L. Alpert's (see record 1995-44717-001) comment on Brenneis' (see record 1995-18442-001) article concerning the relation of dreams to early childhood trauma. Brenneis addresses Alpert's (1) dispute of the findings on the relation of dream content to traumatic experience; (2) argument that clinicians, in reconstructing trauma, work from a broader context than dreams; and (3) insistence that clinical findings discrepant from research findings not be summarily dismissed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On scientific morality.

Agrees with N. Haan's (see record 1983-22367-001) argument that values, including moral values, underlie the scientific enterprise. However, the present author disagrees with Haan's view that a debate on moral principles and ideals would somehow help to guarantee the scientific status of research on morality. (8 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Objectivity revisited.

Contends that G. M. Alliger and P. J. Hanges's (see record 1985-02739-001) assertion that Paradigm I scientists acknowledge their personal inability to make completely value-free observations has no bearing on the present author's (see record 1983-20002-001) argument. Their attempt to characterize the objectivity of science fails to distinguish it from numerous other social enterprises, such as theology and baseball. G. Nettler (see record 1985-02742-001) misses the structure of the present author's argument and supposes that he subscribes to views that he has cited only to refute. The author's basic claim is misrepresented in both these critiques. It is not suggested that one should prefer subjectivity to objectivity but that the distinction between subjectivity and objectivity is incoherent. Contrary to Nettler's suggestion, the abandonment of the subject–object distinction does not commit one to the view that experience is chaotic. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psi Chi/APA Edwin B. Newman Graduate Research Award: Joseph H. Hammer.

Joseph H. Hammer, recipient of the Psi Chi/APA Edwin B. Newman Graduate Research Award, is cited for an outstanding research paper whose findings provide important evidence regarding the promise of a male-sensitive approach to mental health marketing and empirically support the inclusion of theory-driven enhancements in group-targeted mental health campaign efforts. The paper was titled “Men’s help-seeking for depression: The efficacy of a male-sensitive brochure about therapy.” Hammer’s findings suggest that certain male-tailored approaches may improve depressed men’s attitudes and reduce self-stigma of seeking help. Along with the citation, a biography and selected bibliography of Hammer's works are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Preschool thought.

Summarizes recent findings on the preschooler's perspective-taking and numerical abilities. Further evidence on the preschooler's cognitive capacities is cited. These results support the conclusion that preschoolers are remarkably competent under certain conditions. The author considers why past studies have failed to show these competences; why preschoolers are not "miniature adults" so far as their cognitions are concerned; and the difficulty of finding task situations that are suitable for research with young children. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The sexist psychotherapist: An ephemeral species.

Comments on G. Stricker's (see record 1977-29882-001) article on research implications for psychotherapy with women, noting that Stricker presents a confusing and circular argument regarding the evidence of sexism in psychotherapy. The relationship between therapists' attitudes and their actual behavior in therapy was not addressed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Empathy: An unneglected topic in psychological research.

Answers K. B. Clark's (see record 1980-09677-001) argument that empathy has been neglected as a topic by stating that empathy has not been neglected, nor have the fundamental problems that Clark identified. Clark's assumption that empathy leads to prosocial or helping behavior is critiqued in terms of recent research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Award for Distinguished Contributions of Applications of Psychology to Education and Training.

The Board of Educational Affairs is pleased to bestow the Award for Distinguished Contributions of Applications of Psychology to Education and Training. This award acknowledges psychologists who contribute to new teaching methods or solutions to learning problems through the use of research findings or evidence-based practices. Award winners from 1998-2005 are listed. This document includes the citation presented to Cal D. Stoltenberg, the award winner of the 2005 APA Award for Distinguished Contributions of Applications of Psychology to Education and Training. A brief biography and a selected bibliography of Stoltenburg accompany the citation. Also published here is an address, entitled Enhancing Professional Competence Through Developmental Approaches to Supervision (see record 2005-14550-029), which was delivered by Stoltenberg at the 113th annual APA Convention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)