The measurement of psychological androgyny.

Describes the development of a new sex-role inventory that treats masculinity and femininity as 2 independent dimensions, thereby making it possible to characterize a person as masculine, feminine, or "androgynous" as a function of the difference between his or her endorsement of masculine and feminine personality characteristics. Normative data, provided by 561 male and 356 female college and junior college students, are presented, as well as the results of various psychometric analyses. Findings indicate that: (a) The dimensions of masculinity and femininity are empirically and logically independent. (b) The concept of psychological androgyny is a reliable one. (c) Highly sex-typed scores do not reflect a general tendency to respond in a socially desirable direction, but rather a specific tendency to describe oneself in accordance with sex-typed standards of desirable behavior for men and women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The measurement of psychological androgyny: an extended replication

The Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI), the recently developed measure for psychological androgyny, was administered to 344 middle-Tennessee high school and university students. The BSRS's reliability coefficients and mean scores were very similar to those reported earlier for California junior college and university students, respectively. The present scoring patterns for the BSRI remained unchanged with the introduction of the four "familial context" variables of sex of Ss' siblings, sex of Ss' nearest-in-age sibling, parent whom the Ss considered emotionally warmest, and parent whom the Ss would most prefer to be like. Contrary to Bem's original findings, the present results with the BSRI suggested that Ss' responses to the measure may be affected by the social desirability phenomenon. Moreover, scores on the BSRI did not correlate consistently or highly with those presently obtained with a symbolic sex-role measure and a verbal sex-role scale. This lack of construct validity has been reported previously in at least two other studies. Though apparently reliable, the validity of the BSI remains problematic.     

Study of the measurement bias of two standardized psychological tests.

Psychological tests are subject to two distinct forms of bias. The first form, measurement bias, occurs when individuals with equal standing on the trait measured by the test, but sampled from different subpopulations, have different expected test scores. Relational bias, the second type of bias, exists with respect to a second variable if a measure of bivariate association differs across groups. Empirical studies have found little evidence of relational bias. Two recent court cases, however, seem to have been more influenced by considerations of measurement bias than the literature concerning relational bias. Unfortunately, a consequence of both court cases is that the respective test makers must select items for future tests on the basis of a statistic (proportion correct) that is inappropriate for evaluating measurement bias. More sophisticated approaches may also suffer from methodological difficulties unless special precautions are taken. In this article, tests of English and Mathematics Usage are analyzed by measurement bias methods in which several steps are taken to reduce methodological artifacts. Many items are found to be biased. Nonetheless, the sizes of these effects are very small and no cumulative bias across items is found. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Constructs and their vicissitudes in educational and psychological measurement.

Examines implications for educational and psychological measurement of 3 ontological perspectives on the nature of mediating variables underlying consistencies in test and nontest behaviors: (a) intervening variables operationally tied to real causal entities, such as personality traits or environmental contingencies; (b) hypothetical constructs that organize and summarize behavioral consistencies but have no reality outside the theoretical system; and (c) manifestations of real entities that are understood only in terms of constructs that summarize their empirical properties in relation to a theoretical network. All 3 apply to personality traits, situational forces, and their interactions; the summary of power of constructs that led to the predominance of construct validity principles in trait measurement implies that these principles should hold with equal cogency for situational and interactive measurement. (48 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Value of cultural pluralism to the generalizability of psychological theories: A reexamination.

Argues that the limited generalizability of psychological theories and hypotheses may stem, in part, from a restricted sampling of psychological theorists and investigators and hence from the homogeneity of their background assumptions, biases, and values. Threats to generalizability at the hypothesis-testing, theory-development, and hypothesis-formation stages of research are discussed using examples from the literature. A cultural pluralism approach is recommended for the recruitment and training of socioculturally diverse psychologists, capable of conducting research in a wider variety of settings with a wider range of Ss. Types of short- and long-term location and recruitment techniques are discussed, and the promotion of the cultural pluralism perspective within the graduate curriculum is addressed. (3 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The psychological marketplace.

At a meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association "there were 206 applicants for 125 academic positions, 157 applicants for 467 clinical and counseling positions, and 163 applicants for 198 industrial and research positions." There are "more jobs available than there are psychologists to fill them in the total employment picture." While "the degree requirements are the lowest for the Industrial and Research area, the median starting salary is the highest. The converse is true for the academic positions." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Designs, participants, and measurement methods in psychological research.

Critical reviews of psychological scholarship suggest that self-report questionnaires, experimental designs, and college students dominate psychological research. Although researchers within specific subfields of psychology have the requisite knowledge to assess the generality of these concerns, novices of psychological research do not. To provide such knowledge, we surveyed a random sample of 200 journal articles in the PsycINFO database coding for psychological content area, research design, measurement method, and participant type. Results indicate self-report questionnaires, experimental designs, and college students each appeared in a minority of studies and these study characteristics often varied significantly by content area. Results also suggest no single dominant "typical" study in psychological research but rather that the characteristics of such research exhibit remarkable diversity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The cultural role of psychiatry.

Attempts to clarify the cultural role of psychiatry, with suggestions for improving both theory and practice. Historically, the dominance of medicine in psychiatry stems from the past 200 yrs. In addition, since Freud, psychological considerations have moved into the forefront. The combination of the 2 attitudes has created multiple roles for the psychiatrist with considerable confusion about which role to adopt. The earliest role was the purely custodial one, but then the somatic treatments came into vogue. Following Freud, psychotherapy entered the picture. However, it is argued that the greatest progress comes from assuming the transformational role—in which the psychiatrist recognizes that although in his/her everyday work, symptoms are alleviated by the best means available, in the larger sense the function of the profession is to transform society. Similar considerations apply to the clinical psychologist. (53 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The cultural context of psychological approaches to alcoholism: Should we contest or collaborate?

Asserts that there are many points of conceptual agreement among the various approaches to understanding and treating alcohol problems. Although S. Peele (see record 1985-28347-001) may be right in his suggestion that psychologists need to continue contesting the disease notion of alcoholism, it is argued that it is equally important to explore areas of potential agreement between approaches in an effort to overcome the problems posed by substance abuse. (7 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavior and the law reconsidered: psychological syndromes and profiles

Three months after facial nerve transection, total numbers of motoneurons in the facial nucleus of six month (adult) Fischer 344 and Wistar rats were reduced to 83% and 75% of contralateral values, respectively (P < 0.05). This procedure in 22-26 month (ageing) Fischer 344 rats and Wistar rats resulted in a reduction of motoneuron numbers to 77% and 60% of the respective contralateral values (P < 0.05). Compared to adults, contralateral facial nuclei of aging Fischer 344 rats contained 10% fewer motoneurons (non-significant), while ageing Wistar rats had 22% fewer (P < 0.05). No significant changes were found in the proportion of surviving motoneurons expressing calcitonin gene-related peptide, galanin, receptor tyrosine kinase-C or the alpha subunit of the ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor. We conclude that ageing reduces facial motoneuron number and increases their vulnerability to axotomy in Wistar rats, but not in Fischer 344 rats. In neither strain, however, does the proportion of surviving motoneurons expressing the above neuropeptides or neurotrophic factor receptors change. This information may be relevant to those hypotheses of age-related neuronal degenerations which assume that decreased neurotrophic support renders ageing neurons more vulnerable to injury.     

Open a new window: Validities and values in psychological measurement.

Discusses the issue of validity in testing, with reference to new Federal equal employment regulations. Definitions of testing terms are presented and illustrated with examples from a study of packers. Definitions include criterion-related validity, construct validity, and job-relatedness. Validity is not equated with job-relatedness, and criterion-related validity is only conditional evidence of job-relatedness. The importance of considering values in hypothesis determination is stressed. Organizational climate and information content are also considered. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The psychological dimensions of arthritis.

Reviews the literature on the psychological assessment and therapy of persons with arthritis, focusing primarily on the diagnostic category of rheumatoid arthritis. Assessment has involved attempts to define an arthritic personality using psychoanalytic concepts, but more recently it has included the identification of stressors as precursive and exacerbative of disease and the measurement of the impact of arthritis on psychosocial and functional variables. Psychological or behavioral therapy strategies for pain and stress management, psychotherapy in group settings, and attention to medical compliance are among the sparsely reported treatment techniques. It is concluded that therapies that initially address the physical condition, as opposed to mental health needs, are likely to be most acceptable to the patient and most successful in outcome. (72 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The psychological organizations of Canada.

Canadian psychologists have formed no less than eighteen national or provincial organizations. This paper provides a brief historical sketch of these organizations and indicates their present status and functions. The first organizations sought to advance psychology as both a science and a profession, but most of the later-established ones developed directly or indirectly out of efforts to institute statutory control of the profession of psychology. In an addendum, an appeal is made for source material on the provincial organizations for deposit in the CPA archives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The dissemination of psychological research.

Examined the extent to which the research of a group of psychologists was concerned with real-world issues and how they sought to make the findings known in light of J. Kupfersmid's (see record 1989-03023-001) treatment of the issue of psychologists' dissatisfaction with selections made for publication in professional journals. Whether on their own or in the hands of a psychologist, relevant studies rarely reached the desks of policymakers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The irony of cultural psychology research.

Responds to R. E. Erard's comments (see record 2009-13007-011) on the current authors' original article (see record 2008-12151-002) which reviewed a number of studies that identified cultural differences in the use and effect of different types of social support among Asians and Asian Americans and European Americans. Essentially, in his comment, Erard denied the validity of research examining cultural differences. The authors strongly believe that the issues concerning within-culture variation do not nullify the importance of conducting research on culturally based psychological and behavioral patterns. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The roles of psychological associations.

"Certainly a strong national association seems important to the continuing growth and development of psychology as a profession. Functions relating to publication, ethics of the total profession, education and training, legislation, communication between large and small groups, promotional activities, and many others… can best be carried forward by a national level through the agency of a central office." National and state associations handle most of the problems of professionalization. Informal socializing seems to be an important satisfaction achieved through the regional association. "Basically, this paper is a plea to each psychologist to become an active participant in all three kinds of psychological associations." From Psyc Abstracts 36:02:2AJ41L. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The psychological effects of hysterectomy.

Reviews the literature, noting that although hysterectomy remains one of the most common forms of surgery to which women are exposed, the psychological implications remain obscure. Psychological factors have been investigated as both as independent and dependent variables, but a variety of procedural and design shortcomings leave the importance of such factors obscure. The more common faults include an undue emphasis on retrospective designs, inadequate controls, contamination of assessment procedures, and failure to quantify and adequately analyze results. The present article concludes with an examination of those variables which the author believes ought to be considered by investigators planning research in this area. (French abstract) (66 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)