After Legislation--Comments and Rejoinders.

Karl C. Pratt comments that the issues so cogently stated by C. Deutsch ("After Legislation--What Price Psychology?"; American Psychologist, 1958, 13, 645-652) are fundamental and deserve consideration by our profession. Deutsch has clearly stated the case for a broader conception of the science of psychology than such legislation formalizes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Helene Deutsch: A psychoanalyst's life.

Reviews the book, Helene Deutsch: A psychoanalyst's life by Paul Roazen (see record 1992-97543-000). In this biography of over 391 pages, Paul Roazen describes the life of Helene Deutsch, seen by many historians of psychology as one of Freud's best-known and favourite students and a major contributor to psychoanalysis in her own right. Each of the three sections in the book concentrates on a major episode and station in her life: Poland, Vienna, and finally Massachusetts. Roazen carefully describes Helene's family background, her circle of friends, her romance with Felix Deutsch, and of course her relationship with Freud. The book reads much like a shortened psychoanalysis of Helene Deutsch herself. A good biography should not only describe an individual's contribution to a profession, but also this contribution should become understandable as an outgrowth of the cultural heritage, the Zeitgeist, and the unique life history of the individual. Roazen has clearly succeeded in doing that. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reply to Green and Deutsch.

Replies to an article by Green (see record 1986-26216-001) and Deutsch (see record 1986-26175-001). The current authors state that "There is no question about the value of being able to investigate the relative contribution of objective events and subjective appraisal of the events to health outcomes." They praise the work done by Green and Deutsch and hopes that their work will help others work through some important problems of theory and method like it helped them. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Analysis of the Truth and Responsibility in Mental Health Practices Act and similar proposals.

A version of the so-called Truth and Responsibility in Mental Health Practices Act was introduced in New Hampshire's Legislature in 1995. The American Psychological Association (APA) Practice Directorate analyzed the legislation with the assistance of the law firm of Hogan and Hartson and, convinced of its potentially harmful impact on the public and the profession, assisted New Hampshire and other states in combating such misleading and harmful legislation. Anticipating that such legislation will continue to be introduced, the authors include analyses that will assist readers in understanding and dealing with the problems such legislation poses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The emperor's new clothes: Sociopolitical diversity in psychology.

Comments on the article by R. E. Redding (see record 2001-00465-001) which argues that psychology lacks sociopolitical diversity and that conservatives are vastly underrepresented in the profession. The current authors agree with Redding's argument but were surprised to note that he did not draw stronger connections between his examples of biases, the graduate school training process, and the subsequent therapeutic services psychologists provide to their clients. It is maintained that in this arena, biases of any nature could potentially damage students, clients, scientific inquiry, and certainly the profession. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Canadian Children's Law: Cases, Notes and Materials.

Reviews the book, Canadian Children's Law: Cases, Notes and Materials by Nicholas Bala, Heino Lilies, and George Thomson (1982). This book contains a collection of articles, legal decisions, and comments on significant issues in relation to children. The authors divide the table of contents into two major groupings: Part I deals with child welfare and Part II deals with juvenile offenders. This book does not attempt to be exhaustive. For example, it does not cover legislation in other provinces, and the excerpts of articles are often too short to give an in-depth discussion of the issues. However, its greatest value is in raising questions that all mental health professionals should discuss within their own profession and with the legal profession and the judiciary so that a better working relationship can be achieved. I would recommend this book to all psychologists who arc involved in child welfare or delinquency matters. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychiatry in crisis

Psychiatry today faces sociopolitical, economic, and philosophical pressures that threaten its existence as a valued medical specialty. Recent legislation that decreases the numbers of foreign medical graduates eligible to practice in the United States, increases the numbers of community mental health centers and types of services they offer, and limits federal support of psychiatric education will affect the future of psychiatry as a profession and discipline. Forthcoming legislation and federal health policies will be related to the ability of the profession to demonstrate its unique role in the provision of mental health and health services. The authors offer suggestions for the education of the American public regarding the important role of psychiatry in America's health and mental health care system.     

Whither subliminal psychodynamic activation? A reply to Silverman.

The authors reply to comments by L. H. Silverman (see record 1982-21579-001) on their earlier criticisms (see record 1980-26153-001) of subliminal symbiotic stimulation as a clinical adjunct to systematic desensitization. The authors contend that Silverman credits them with an overly nebulous "challenge" that was not made, and cites new data that purportedly contradict this overgeneralized conclusion. None of this "contradictory" evidence deals with desensitization or any other treatment for phobic anxiety. The alternative explanations he derives from these new data are based on an arbitrary and simplistic method of data aggregation that lacks consistency across investigations. The resulting selective bias severely reduces the explanatory power of these alternative possibilities and does not negate the authors' contention that stimulation of unconscious merging fantasies is superfluous in desensitization. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Spectral envelope and context effects in the tritone paradox

In previous studies of the 'tritone paradox' Deutsch has suggested that, when listeners are presented with pairs of octave-complex tones that are equal in average log frequency but differ in chroma by 6 semitones (a tritone), they perceive the direction of the chroma difference according to an individual pitch-class template. However, it has also been found that the perceived direction changes for many listeners when the spectral envelope of the tones is shifted along the frequency axis. Reanalysis of these data indicates a strong tendency to perceive the pitch class corresponding to the frequency on which the spectral envelope is centered as subjectively lowest. In experiment 1 this spectral-envelope effect was replicated with tone pairs presented in isolation, at the rate of one a day, which rules out artifacts of test format. In experiment 2, involving another context-free format, envelope center frequency was varied over a wide range and it was shown that some individuals are totally envelope dependent, whereas others rely more on pitch class, and yet others show mixed patterns. Experiment 3 demonstrated that listeners' judgments of tritone pairs can be swayed easily by preceding context. Finally, experiment 4 showed that strong envelope effects are also obtained with Deutsch's own tritone test (issued on CD). The subjective relative pitch height of octave-complex tones thus depends on several competing factors, only one of which is pitch class.     

Federal legislation and school psychology: Impact and implication.

Reviews recent federal legislation and regulation that is relevant to the profession of school psychology. The impact of federal legislation on school psychology is often indirect, because legislation that affects the profession is directed toward providing services for handicapped persons and protecting their rights, and school psychology is inextricably tied to special education. Cooperation is called for between professionals in the educational system in order to meet the needs of people who require special services. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recovered memories in theory and practice.

The final report of the American Psychological Association Working Group on Investigation of Memories of Childhood Abuse (J. L. Alpert et al, see record 2000-13581-002) reflects the tensions within the profession over the status to be accorded to recovered memories. As British researchers and clinicians involved in the debate, the authors of this article recognize the difficulties of reconciling clinical perspectives with the experimental approach of cognitive psychology. However, readers seeking guidance on theory and practice may be disappointed by the current report. Regarding theory, the authors maintain that more progress could have been achieved if the Working Group had shared a common vision of the way memory operates; it would have allowed more constructive dialogue regarding the significance of research on repression and traumatic memories. Regarding practice, there is no guidance as to how clinicians can amend their practice to avoid patient confabulation. The process of guideline development is described, together with some recent examples. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

More may not be better in psychosocial interventions for cancer patients.

Comments on the article by M. H. Antoni et al (see record 2000-14051-003) which tested the effects of a 10-week group cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention among female breast cancer patients. The authors express concern that this profession is offering interventions that patients in need cannot access and studying patients who may not be in particular need of intervention and who therefore fail to demonstrate substantial improvement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Legislative approaches to the regulation of the chiropractic profession

Traditional and complementary health care services have a growing and significant role in both developed and developing countries. In the United Kingdom the British Medical Association (BMA) has identified five complementary approaches to health care that should now be regarded as "discrete clinical disciplines" because they have "established foundations of training and have the potential for greatest use alongside orthodox medical care". These are acupuncture, chiropractic, herbalism, homeopathy and osteopathy. The BMA recommended that there should be legislation to regulate these disciplines and the Chiropractors' Act enacted in the U.K in 1994. The chiropractic profession was founded in the United States in 1895, and the practice of chiropractic has been regulated in the United States and Canada since the 1920s, in Australia since the late 1940s, in New Zealand and South Africa since the 1960s, and more recently in Asia, Europe, Latin America and elsewhere. Figure 1 lists the countries which currently recognize and regulate the chiropractic profession. Many countries, such as Japan with approximately 10,000 chiropractors with different levels of education, and Trinidad & Tobago with 5 chiropractors who are graduates of accredited chiropractic colleges in North America, are considering legislation. Croatia, with 3 chiropractors, is preparing legislation. Cyprus, with 6 chiropractors, has legislation. Even in countries such as these, where the profession is small, there are compelling public interest arguments for regulation. This is especially true in the 1990s. One reason is the growing incentive for lay healers and others without formal training to use the title "chiropractor" as chiropractic practice gains increasing acceptance. The majority of chiropractic practice involves patients with non- specific or mechanical back and neck pain. The chiropractic approach to management, which includes spinal adjustment or manipulation, other physical treatments, postural advice, rehabilitative exercises and early return to activities, formally only had empirical evidence of success. Now there is firm scientific support. Recent national, evidence- based, multi-disciplinary guidelines in Canada (neck pain), the United Kingdom (back pain), and the United States (back pain) support these methods as a first line of management for most patients. Another reason for regulation is that international standards of chiropractic education and scope of practice have been established by appropriate chiropractic organizations, including the World Federation of Chiropractic which represents national associations of chiropractors in 63 countries. This paper now reviews current legislation worldwide.     

Review of Psychology as a profession: Foundations of practice.

Reviews the book, Psychology as a profession: Foundations of practice by W. B. Pryzwansky and R. N. Wendt (see record 1987-98014-000). Pryzwansky and Wendt provide a guidebook on professional issues addressed to both applied psychologists and those in training. The book begins with a general introduction to the topic of psychology as a profession, which is followed by a chapter on each of the following issues: credentialing in psychology, ethics and standards, legal impact in practice, professional development and accountability (including internships), and professional organizations. Many important professional issues are presented by the authors. It is clear that this book is directed to an audience of applied psychologists in general, but school psychologists will find a number of relevant areas not well covered. Psychology as a profession is a handy, small book to supplement a professional practices course. However, its size and purpose limit the depth with which specific topics can be elaborated, resulting in a number of gaps in coverage. In addition, given the vulnerability of several of the topics in this book to ongoing change, the reader needs to be reminded of the possibility that some information will become outdated. However, the book does provide a useful introduction to topics that seem to impact increasingly on the lives of professional psychologists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Legal standards, expertise, and experts in the resolution of contested child custody cases.

The authors critically evaluate the roles of forensic practitioners and psychological researchers in determinations of the best-interest-of-the-child standard (BICS) in child custody disputes. The authors examine (a) the existing empirical research on the adjustment of children of divorce, (b) the current forensic practice of mental health practitioners, (c) the standardized forensic assessment instruments available, and (d) the ethical dilemmas faced by mental health practitioners who work in this area. On the basis of their analysis, the authors argue that current evidence does not support most of the "expert testimony" proffered by mental health practitioners to the court. As a consequence, they posit that the BICS does not reflect either the needs of the legal system or the expertise of the psychological profession, and that the least detrimental alternative to the child standard more accurately meets the needs of both fields. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reply to Deutsch and Green.

Replies to the comments of F. Deutsch (see record 1986-26175-001) and B. L. Green (see record 1986-26216-001) on the present authors' (see record 1986-10770-001) aggressive interchange with B. P. Dohrenwend and P. E. Shrout (see record 1986-10765-001) about confounding problems in studies on stress. It is suggested that Deutsch has joined in the fray and that Green has raised an interesting issue (i.e., the relative predictive power of objective and subjective measures of stressful events). (7 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Implications for school psychologists: The challenge of Public Law 94-142.

Public Law 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act; 1975) is challenging the traditional model of school psychology. The child-advocate model at times conflicts with the school psychologist's responsibility for supporting a public school system in its attempts to comply with the law. Based on field experiences in the metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia area, the following training needs in the profession are identified: (a) broadened familiarity with assessment instruments and procedures, (b) increased competencies in remediative advisement, and (c) enlightened understanding of legal issues and due process. School psychologists can assist in clarifying misinterpretations of current federal legislation if provided appropriate professional training. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Animal rights: A rejoinder.

Responds to the comments by A. N. Rowan (see record 2009-05603-006) on the current author's original discussion regarding animal rights (see record 2009-05603-005). In his original paper, Gallup maintains that there are no inherent rights; they are inventions of the human mind. Thus, animals only have rights if we say the do. Rowan, however, asserts there is more universal agreement as to why some beings have certain rights (e.g. the right to life, or the weaker right not to be caused unnecessary suffering) than Gallup credits. Here, Gallup suggests that Rowan has sidestepped the issue. If rights (be they human or otherwise) are something other than an invention of the human mind, then what are they, what form do they take, from whence do they come, and how are we to identify them? Contrary to what Rowan implies, Gallup says his intention was not to take a stand on whether or not animals have rights. To reiterate, says Gallup, animals only have rights to the extent that we say they do. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)