Review of The essential Sternberg: Essays on intelligence, psychology, and education.

Reviews the book, The essential Sternberg: Essays on intelligence, psychology, and education edited by James C. Kaufman and Elena L. Grigorenko (see record 2009-00687-000). For years, Robert Sternberg has produced renowned, groundbreaking work, and now some of it is captured in one volume: The Essential Sternberg. The book gathers in one place Sternberg’s major publications. From a repertoire of more than 1,000 journal articles, book chapters, and books, the editors have chosen 20 seminal works, spanning 30 years from 1977 to 2006. Although not organized chronologically, the ordering of the chapters reflects the progression of Sternberg’s work. In reading the book, one gains a sense of how a theory (and a career) of one of psychology’s major thinkers has evolved. The book presents five arcs of Sternberg’s research and theory on intelligence and education. No book, of course, can cover all the areas of a scholar’s research, so readers wanting to learn more about, for example, Sternberg’s work on love will need to look elsewhere. However, Sternberg’s central ideas and work are certainly on display in this book. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Rehearsals for growth: Theater improvisation for psychotherapists.

Reviews the book, Rehearsals for growth: Theater improvisation for psychotherapists by Daniel J. Wiener (see record 1994-98676-000). This book is clearly written for psychotherapists who might be interested in improv and improv's applications to the psychotherapeutic stage, and not for actors and actresses studying psychotherapy. The style of the book is unique. It is a weave of personal narrative, literature review, interviews with improv teachers, practical ideas, and case material. It is also written so that after a brief introduction one may play with the book as one likes—it can be read cover to cover; one can go directly to practical ideas; another can study the content chapters in any order; and so on. I read the book cover to cover, and the shifts is presentation style felt disruptive, but this might be the very improv principles at work in the author's writing style. Probably the most useful part of the book is the bounty of ideas, games, and exercises. These techniques are described in text and tabulated in an appendix for easy reference and comparison. The games and exercises are playful, thought-provoking, maybe even iconoclastic, and potentially therapeutic with a skilled therapist. The book is worthwhile for almost any psychotherapist from any therapeutic modality. The challenge, though, for those that accept it, doing what it takes to develop genuine and reliable spontaneity. Rehearsals for Growth is one method to achieve that aim. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Relational theory and the practice of psychotherapy.

Reviews the book, Relational theory and the practice of psychotherapy by P. L. Wachtel (see record 2008-01938-000). Having produced important texts involving the integration of a psychoanalytic perspective with cognitive–behavioral and family systems perspectives, in the current book he turns his attention to seemingly divergent lines of thought within psychoanalysis itself. Psychoanalysis—that variegated, continually branching and diversifying body of theory and practice that started with Sigmund Freud but which has moved so far beyond its origins so as to be almost unrecognizable in some respects—is certainly Wachtel’s primary home. In this book, Wachtel sets out to try and get the house in greater order, both for psychoanalytic inhabitants themselves and for visitors from other theoretical homes. The collection of psychoanalytic perspectives that have gradually taken context into account as being equally important to those factors that are internal are referred to as relational. And it is to these perspectives, which sometimes diverge in significant ways from each other and also from “one-person,” internally focused perspectives, that Wachtel devotes his attention in this book. With Relational theory and the practice of psychotherapy, Paul Wachtel has written an important book, one that will be particularly stimulating and useful to graduate-level-and-above students of psychotherapy. It will also be accessible, thought provoking and clarifying to open-minded psychotherapy practitioners of all stripes, particularly those who do not identify themselves as relational, psychoanalytic, or even psychodynamic. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Pain: psychological perspectives.

Reviews the book, Pain: psychological perspectives edited by S. Rachman and Jack D. Maser (see record 1988-97293-000). The success of this book lies in its focus on the symptom of panic rather than on the diagnosis of panic disorder. The three main psychological theories discussed in the book are: (a) Clark's cognitive theory of panic, which postulates that panic attacks result from the catastrophic misinterpretations of bodily sensations; (b) van den Hout's Pavlovian theory of panic, which postulates that bodily sensations such as heart palpitations become conditioned stimuli for panic attacks through the temporal contiguity of these stimuli with the first spontaneous panic attack; and (c) Lang's information processing theory, which Lang discusses in relation to phobias but, unfortunately, not to any appreciable extent in relation to panic. Each theory is clearly presented in one of three chapters, each of which is written by the originator of the theory. I hope that this book will get a wide readership. It would act as a stimulant in senior undergraduate and graduate courses. I hope also that it will convince psychopathologists of the value of the symptom-approach in research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The use of self in therapy.

Reviews the book, The use of self in therapy, edited by Michele Baldwin and Virginia Satir (1987). This book was also published as a special issue of the Journal of Psychotherapy and the Family, and it represents a departure from the usual content on dysfunctions and interventions in family treatment. Indeed, the book is not meant to be confined to family therapists alone, although the book's editors are themselves distinguished in this field. While there certainly is some recognition of the analytic aspects of the self, the book is not intended to cover the technicalities or subtleties of psychoanalysis and should not be judged as such. Perhaps the title should have clarified its limited focus, yet as announced by the journal editors, the scholars and therapists bring a "historical, philosophical, clinical, and research perspective." The book was proposed not as "a finished piece" but to invite an "on-going dialogue," enhancing the practice of therapy, and enriching "the lives of the therapists and clients." Throughout the volume it seems apparent that the authors were selected to present the self not only as a vehicle for therapy but also as a creative being whose growth is very much a part of a genuine therapeutic process. Of the ten papers written by contributors, two papers are overviews, four are devoted to the therapists' use of self, one expands on a training program highlighting the integration of the self, two are research papers, and one is a unique revealing paper on the metaphor of a wounded healer. One can conclude that Baldwin and Satir have selected contributors who share their feelings that an effective therapist must feel safe and be congruent, and must believe in the sacredness of the human being. If you include yourself as one who could have been invited to contribute to this book you will certainly enjoy reading it. However, if openness, sharing, the patient as partner, and so on sound like suspicious words, the book will be interesting and even stimulating, but hardly adequate to cover the self in therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Transformative relationships: The control-mastery theory of psychotherapy.

Reviews the book, Transformative relationships: The control-mastery theory of psychotherapy by George Silberschatz (see record 2005-00928-000). This book is an edited text that thoroughly reviews theory, research, and practice on control-mastery theory, a psychodynamic method developed at the San Francisco Psychoanalytic Institute. Overall, this is an impressive research program summarized in this chapter in a very accessible manner. The research program is a good case study of an effort to build an evidence-based treatment close to clinical reality. In addition, the book as a whole is probably the best way to get a summary of all aspects of control-mastery theory as well as a clear and interesting exposition of different aspects of the theory, research, and practice. One important clinical implication of the testing concepts is that the meaning of a therapist's interventions will vary depending on what specific pathogenic beliefs the client is testing. Control-mastery theory is highly case specific; a technique that is helpful to one client may not be appropriate or helpful to another. How effective the therapy is will be determined not by the technique used but by the extent to which the therapist can disconfirm the client's pathogenic beliefs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Attentional processing: The brain's art of mindfulness.

Reviews the book, Attentional processing: The brain's art of mindfulness by David LaBerge (see record 1995-97550-000). David LaBerge has crafted a book on visual attention that will be accessible and interesting to a broad audience, from students doing their first project in cognitive psychology, to accomplished researchers in the field. The goal of the book is to present a coherent cognitive-neuroscience model of attention - a framework within which one can understand the rich database of findings pertaining to visual attention. In some respects, the book is also an overview and synthesis of LaBerge's own work on spatial attention. The first half of the book covers behavioural investigations; the second half covers cognitive-neuroscience investigations. When most books in psychology are tomes with each chapter written by a different author, it was rewarding to review a scientific book that one could conveniently carry in one's hand, written from cover to cover by one author. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dual scaling: An alternative approach to categorical data.

Reviews the book, Analysis of Categorical Data: Dual Scaling and its Applications by S. Nishisato (1980). The reviewer provides a detailed analysis of the ideas explored by the author in this book about dual scaling, or optimal scaling as it is sometimes known. The reviewer believes that the text is an important resource in statistics and psychometrics, and that it undoubtedly will continue to be the standard work on this branch of the new "attribute statistics". For anyone serious about categorical data analysis, the reviewer strongly recommends this book. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The self in the family system: Expanding the limits of family therapy.

Reviews the book, The self in the family system: Expanding the limits of family therapy by Michael P. Nichols (see record 1987-98398-000). The authors' major thesis is that having recognized the importance of family dynamics (the "system") on the behavior of the individuals within it, systems theory has neglected both the individual self as well as the influence of the self on the system. Nichols demonstrates this by quoting the more influential family systems theorists and by the use of numerous clinical vignettes, and then he sets about to remedy the situation. In so doing he effectively integrates and synthesizes current psychodynamic theories with current systems theory. The result is a powerful argument for the absolute necessity of expanding existing limits of family therapy and attending to the unique feelings, perspectives, motivations, and personal responsibility of the individuals comprising the system. This broadened perspective of the family therapist's role necessarily requires knowledge of and expertise with both systems theory and current psychodynamic theory and practice. Nichols does not advocate individual therapy within a family context. Rather he emphasizes the need for the family therapist to effectively and flexibly shift from a focus on the family dynamics to the individual dynamics depending on the relatively greater therapeutic usefulness of either perspective at any given point in treatment. For those family therapists who have not reached Nichols's conclusions, this book deserves to be read critically, carefully, and with ruthless honesty. Finally, any practicing psychotherapist, student, or teacher will find this book to be an essential addition to his or her personal library. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Heinz Kohut: The making of a psychoanalyst.

Reviews the book, Heinz Kohut: The making of a psychoanalyst by Charles B. Strozier (see record 2001-00786-000). Strozier engages in a roller-coaster approach to the telling of Kohut's life. Just when you are feeling sorry for him because of what he had to endure, you are yanked back into idealizing him again. This book is mostly quite readable but bogs down when Strozier attempts to educate the reader about Kohut's theories. As the only record we have of Kohut's life, Strozier's book is invaluable and will be of interest to anyone concerned with psychoanalysis. But I hope that somewhere down the line there will be another biography that is not so intent on de-idealizing him and will provide a more integrated and insightful tale of this very complicated and compelling man. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The study of personality: A book of readings.

Reviews the book, The Study of Personality (see record 1955-03665-000). The book is a collection of readings, consisting mainly of papers that have previously appeared in journals. The three sections of the book deal, respectively, with theory, methods, and problems. The editor's emphasis, though, is mainly methodological, and even the section dealing with theory stresses principles of theory construction rather than attempts to formulate a single logically consistent theory of personality. The reviewer feels that this collection of readings should fill the need for supplementary reading in a graduate level course dealing with nomothetic approaches to the investigation of personality, or as a supplement to a course in the theory of personality when either the instructor or a good textbook contributes a single consistent theoretical point of view. Psychologists and other social scientists will find it useful as a review of significant and more or less familiar material that should not be allowed to become lost in seldom consulted back issues of the journals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Sex, evolution and behavior (2nd edition).

Reviews the book, Sex, evolution and behavior (2nd edition) by Martin Daly and Margo Wilson (1983). As Daly's and Wilson's text makes clear, the general framework of sociobiology has ordered an immense amount of disparate data on the nature of sexuality and offered important insights into the human condition. The book is written in an engaging and ebullient manner, aimed primarily as a textbook for undergraduate students in psychology and the social sciences. It is much more than this, however. It stands as a highly accessible guide and reference manual to current research and theory for psychologists interested in interfacing with evolutionary biology, as well as being "a good read" for any reasonably intelligent, literate person. It is very unusual for a book to so usefully serve such a wide audience. The authors have a quite remarkable capacity to "bottom line" knotty theories and complicated data sets. There are very few criticisms that can be made and most of these will be idiosyncratic to the particular reviewer. However, I suspect that three may occur to those psychologists considering offering courses on human sociobiology. First, the book is highly focused on sex and reproduction and, therefore, does not cover other important topics in the degree of detail that course instructors may have wished: altruism and aggression, to mention two. Second, an even greater emphasis on the human species would have been preferred by most behavioural scientists (particularly students). Finally, and allied to the last two criticisms, more information could have been incorporated from social-personality-developmental psychology. Instead, a mildly deprecating tone is occasionally adopted. Despite such minor carpings (and it is always easy to criticize a book for what it didn't include), the book is highly recommended for anyone interested in the current status of research in sociobiology. It would make an excellent textbook for anyone teaching a half year introductory course on sociobiology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Women in families: A framework for family therapy.

Reviews the book, Women in families: A framework for family therapy edited by Monica McGoldrick, Carol M. Anderson, and Froma Walsh (1989). The editors state that this book grew out of the need of women doing family therapy to network and to develop visible women mentors and role models not overshadowed by the men in their lives. This book does try to cover too much ground in a single edited volume; the first two sections, by themselves, focused new themes in the theory and practice of family therapy. However, this is a new contribution to the field, a book that tells us how to bring gender into teaching and practice, and which ideas should be included. This book is recommended for practicing family therapists and students in family therapy training programs. It should be required reading for any professional planning to do family therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Handbook of bereavement research and practice: Advances in theory and intervention.

Reviews the book, Handbook of bereavement research and practice: Advances in theory and intervention, edited by Margaret S. Stroebe, Robert O. Hansson, Henk Schut, and Wolfgang Stroebe (see record 2008-09330-000). The goal of this book is to provide a state-of-the-art overview of the field of bereavement research and practise. To achieve this goal, the editors have enlisted the collaboration of several well-known grief and bereavement researchers. This latest effort tries to relate bereavement research more explicitly to contemporary society and practise issues than was done in the two earlier volumes. The handbook is to be commended for fairly presenting multiple, and at times contradictory, points of view on some of the more controversial issues in the field. This results in a fascinating, well-written book, with many thought-provoking chapters that will challenge some of the persistent misconceptions that psychologists may have about bereavement and the nature of grief work. This book will help guide students who want to pursue clinical work or research in this field. Seasoned researchers will likely also find this book very helpful in terms of its conceptual clarification of terms that are often poorly defined. Readers who are looking for practical advice on how best to help their clients grieve may, however, be disappointed. As the editors indicate, this is not a sourcebook for clinicians looking for practical tips. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Natural theories of mind: Evolution, development and simulation of everyday mindreading.

Reviews the book, Natural theories of mind: Evolution, development and simulation of everyday mindreading edited by Andrew Whiten (see record 1991-97348-000). In recent years there has been a phenomenal growth in interest and research directed at what, has become known as a Theory of Mind ("ToM") and its development. Among the many edited books recently made available on the topic, Whiten's Natural theories of mind is unique in the eclectic, multidisciplinary approach it brings to this vital, yet fledgling area. This interdisciplinary approach, which also includes a chapter by Carrithers placing the development of a theory of mind within the broader context of sociology and anthropology, is at the same lime both the strength of this volume and its limitation. It may be that few will read this book cover-to-cover (not a remarkable criticism for an edited book). Those who do will be given an unusually broad overview of this hot research area and the interdisciplinary context within which the area can best be understood and from which it will most profitably develop. Whiten's collection is therefore recommended both to those who are looking for an entrance into the theory of mind literature and for those already embroiled in the field who are looking for new perspectives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Stochastic models for learning.

Reviews the book "Stochastic models for learning" by R. R. Bush and F. Mosteller (see record 1955-15028-000). This contribution to learning theory analyzes the results of many learning experiments in terms of a probabilistic hypothesis after setting up a general theoretical model from which specific models to fit particular results can be derived. While this book is not an applied book except in the sense that mathematical techniques of much power are applied to basic psychological problems, it represents a distinct advance in the scientific analysis of learning data. Ultimately applied psychology may benefit from the methods so developed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Self and others: Object relations theory in practice.

Reviews the book, Self and others: Object relations theory in practice by N. Gregory Hamilton (see record 1988-97224-000). Hamilton's book, Self and Others, is useful because it attempts to render much of the complexity of understanding object relational approaches more negotiable. Without question, the book is addressed to the beginner or relative beginner (i.e., the person who wishes to get an introduction to object relations). However, because of its elementary focus, the book can be especially valuable for clinicians, residents, and related mental health trainees who are in the process of learning about object relations theory. Too often it seems introductory books on object relations either assume a knowledge the reader does not possess or become so overly mired in discussing the intricacies of theoretical controversy (e.g., Kohut versus Kernberg) that they leave the beginning student of psychoanalysis in a state of bewilderment. Such is not the case with Self and Others. Hamilton's book, while not being without its limitations, does have some interesting features to offer for beginning instruction in object relations theory. The book attempts to show how object relations theory can be applied in practice. Some interesting and instructive definitions, case examples, and discussion are provided, and they all can prove of value to the interested student of object relations theory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Family Stories and the Life Course: Across Time and Generations.

In this review of "Family Stories and the Life Course: Across Time and Generations" (see record 2004-13618-000), the reviewer states that many psychologists will want to read this book from cover to cover because it is excellent. It will create excitement for developmental psychologists who are open to extending their perspectives on individual functioning to include more of a focus on whole family systems. It will also challenge family psychologists to deepen their understanding of how the functioning of each family member at different stages of the life span is related to interactions and meaning-making in the group. Clinical psychologists will glean new ideas about the accounts of family life they hear from their clients and the transformative power of having family members jointly engage in reconstructing problematic family stories. The range of topics and the overall quality of the research and theorizing are truly impressive. This book draws together in one volume conceptual development and recent research findings about family narratives. The reader will gain an understanding of how family stories and story telling are related to acquisition of language, regulation of affect, attachment processes and socialization of children, development of identity in adolescents, cognitive functioning in older persons, and interactions between children, parents, and grandparents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)