Editorial policies of the American Psychologist.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the American Psychologist (AP). Since the publication of its first issue in January 1946, AP has served as the flagship journal for the American Psychological Association (APA) and has played an important and unique role for the field of psychology. Because of the quality of the articles published in AP, the journal has evolved into one of the most influential and widely cited publications in psychology. The purpose of this editorial is to outline a revised set of policies for the journal that builds on and expands those developed by previous editors (see, e.g., Fowler, 1993; Goodstein, 1987; Kiesler, 1976; Pallack, 1981). Before outlining these policies, I would like to explore the relative status and influence of AP within the universe of psychological and social science journals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Editorial statement of the American Psychologist: II.

Editing a journal that combines professional, scientific, and public policy interests is a strange business, indeed. Although this January 1987 issue of the American Psychologist (AP) begins the second year of my editorship, it is the first issue that actually reflects my editorial input and that of my associate editors. This state of affairs results from both the usual 9- to 10-month publication lag and the normal transition process between two editorial terms. It seems worthwhile to use my "first" issue as an opportunity to comment on the editorial direction of the journal, about the editorial process itself (and some changes we have made in it), and about some specific modifications in format that you will see in coming issues. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Editorial statement of the American Psychologist: III.

Presents an editorial statement about the publication policies of the American Psychologist (AP). About half the contents of the AP are documents that report on the activities of the Association—the minutes of the Council of Representatives, the address of the immediate Past President, and those reports of the Association boards and committees of concern to a large percentage of the membership. The remaining pieces are articles that the editorial board and the ad hoc reviewers judge to be of sufficient interest and consequence to appeal to the large and heterogeneous readership of the AP. These articles should explicitly address the broadest scientific and practical implications of the topic under consideration. In addition, a new series, tentatively called "Science Watch," will appear in the AP on an irregular basis. The purpose will be to cover articles that broaden our understanding of the discipline, that enable us to understand the connections between our discipline and others, and that help us glimpse the directions in which our science is moving. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Editorial statement of the American Psychologist.

Presents a statement from the ninth editor of the American Psychologist as it enters its 41st year of publication. The primary focus of this editorial is the journal's article selection criteria. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Lines written on first beholding the November issue of American Psychologist.

Article is a humorous poem regarding the cover color format of the November Issue of American Psychologist. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

1996 editorial: 50th Anniversary Issue of the American Psychologist.

Presents an editorial on the 50th Anniversary Issue of The American Psychologist by the CEO and Executive Vice President of the American Psychological Association. An overview of changes to the journal and the developments in electronic communications pare presented, and the implications for international exchange in scholarly publishing are discussed. (0 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The founding of the American Psychologist: The professional journal that wasn't.

The American Psychologist began publication 50 years ago this month as the official journal of a reorganized American Psychological Association. The journal was created as a centerpiece of the new Association, reflecting its acknowledgment of a broader role for the APA, a role that called for the advancement of psychology as a profession. The American Psychologist was intended to be the "professional " journal of the new Association, but it never really filled that responsibility. Drawing on published records and the unpublished documents of the APA Archives, this article recounts the history of this journal's founding. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A funny thing happened on the way to my American Psychologist publication.

Replies to comments made by various authors in reference to S. O. Lilienfeld's (see record 2002-10795-003) article published in response to, and in criticism of, the controversies surrounding the publication of the article by B. Rind et al (see record 1998-04232-002). Here Lilienfeld examines the original controversy as well as a secondary controversy which arose from his published criticism of the American Psychological Association's (APA) handling of the controversy spawned by the Rind et al article. Of particular interest to Lilienfeld is the article concerning the 'editor's dilemma" described in comments published by R. McCarty (see record 2002-10795-006). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Condensation Is Irresistible.

Comments on an article by R. Tyson on "Condensed Writing" (May 1977). Condensing Tyson's comment on condensed writing is irresistible: "One can't blame authors who are allowed over 16 pages; it's only natural to let thoughts wander. However, printing, paper, and reader's time are expensive. Perhaps Freud and Munsterberg would each deserve 16 pages of American Psychologist, but most psychologists don't. Condensed writing is difficult but considerate; it should be required. Most recent American Psychologist articles could have been improved by cutting them in half." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comment on AP Editorial Statement.

Comments on the "Editorial Statement" in the January 1986 American Psychologist. In the editorial, Goodstein listed criteria for selecting articles which stated that "Articles reporting primary empirical research findings are not appropriate for the American Psycholgist." However, the same issue of the journal included an article by Glaser and Thorpe on unethical intimacy--clearly an empirical study, based on Glaser's master's thesis no less. The current authos questions if this is an exception to the editorial policy and states that "The readership deserves an explanation!" (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

American Psycho: Malignant narcissism on the screen.

Presents an interpretation of American Psycho (1990). The film is described as a screen illustration of malignant narcissism. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Consultants for 2001.

An acknowledgement list of those who served as consultants to the American Psychologist during 2001. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Obituary: Logan Wright, Jr. (1933-1999).

Memorializes Logan Wright Jr. for his contributions to the field of psychology. He helped organize the American Psychological Society and was the first executive officer of the American Association of Applied and Preventive Psychology. Logan Wright was also president of the American Psychological Association. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Consultants for 2005.

The American Psychologist gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the following persons who served as consultants during the period from September 1, 2004, through August 31, 2005. The editorial procedures of the journal are dependent on the effort and time so generously contributed by the consultants. Their contributions are greatly appreciated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)