And binding nature fast in fate, left free the human will.

Suggests that the papers by B. D. Slife (see record 1995-13451-001), M. Gergen (see record 1995-14294-001), R. N. Williams (see record 1995-12851-001), and M. S. Richardson (see record 1995-14311-001) demonstrated no simple solution to the free will (FW) problem. How humans achieve some limited exercise of FW in a world of nonagentic, coercive forces remains unclear, especially as human nature and lives represent complex phenomena in which the person who exercises FW is anything but omnipotent, ahistorical, self-contained, and acultural. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The possibility of possibility.

Comments that B. D. Slife (see record 1995-13451-001), M. Gergen (see record 1995-14294-001), R. N. Williams (see record 1995-12851-001), and M. S. Richardson (see record 1995-14311-001) all seem to suggest that the contextless nature of the traditional conception of free will is problematic. Although each author attempts to contextualize this traditional conception, many of their explanations reveal that the underlying problem remains. It is suggested that a radically new assumption of time, such as Heidegger's temporality, is necessary. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Using the patient's plan to assess progress in psychotherapy.

Describes the application of a formulation of the patient's plan in psychotherapy research. Use of patient plan formulations to (1) study the effects of therapist intervention on patient progress (within-session change) and (2) develop individualized psychodynamic outcome measures (plan attainment) are discussed in studies by G. Silberschatz (1986) and Silberschatz et al (see record 1987-07982-001), respectively. If the therapist helps the patient disconfirm pathological beliefs (by passing tests or intervening in plan-compatible ways) the patient is likely to progress toward achieving therapy goals with a more favorable outcome. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Some additional lessons from the Wechsler scales: A rejoinder to Kaufman and Keith.

Responds to A. Kaufman's (see record 1995-15767-001) and T. Z. Keith's (see record 1995-15768-001) comments on the article by G. M. Macmann and D. W. Barnett (see record 1995-15770-001), suggesting that discussion of their article centers not on posited questions nor conclusions, but rather on the Wechsler scales proper. Macmann and Barnett insist that Wechsler scales and other measures of general intellectual function are a costly and ineffective use of professional skills, suggesting a need for alternative models, such as assessment of cognitive variables in the context of instruction. Further, they suggest that although a general factor model may be structurally more defensible, little can be gained from the analysis of general or Full Scale IQ. It is suggested that the most promising futures for the assessment of intelligent behavior are likely to be realized through a focus on thought processes and problem-solving strategies within the context of meaningful social and instructional situations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Abstractness of implicit grammar knowledge: Comments on Perruchet and Pacteau's analysis of synthetic grammar learning.

On the basis of 3 experiments, P. Perruchet and C. Pacteau (see record 1991-00329-001) argued that implicitly acquired knowledge of a synthetic grammar consists of little more than knowledge of pairwise associations between pairs of letters in the grammar. By comparing their results with a study by R. C. Mathews et al (see record 1990-03549-001), it is argued that (a) implicitly acquired knowledge is much richer and more abstract than suggested by Perruchet and Pacteau, (b) their recognition measures are less sensitive than the recall measures of Mathews et al for detecting conscious awareness of implicit knowledge, and (c) fragmentary knowledge of a grammar constitutes abstract rules that enable performance of complex tasks when integrated into a system for combining knowledge across rules. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Research etiquette in the study of clinician's behavior.

A critique of research strategy and tactics in the investigation of the processes and functions of clinical psychologists is presented using the report of Sechrest, Gallimore, and Hersch (see record 2005-10655-001) as an example. It is argued that the continuation of studies using college students as an analogue to clinicians contributes little to the understanding of such processes or functions and that the methods of differential psychology are more appropriate than those of experimental psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Trouble with Problems and Humans: Comment.

Comments on articles by Sanford (see record 1965-13315-001), Berg (see record 1965-13160-001), and Bakan (see record 1965-13159-001) concerning human nature, human problems, and the behavioral sciences. The author states that it would seem reasonable to suppose that much greater attention should be given to the question of the problem with problems and humans. Sanford's idea of an institute seems reasonable. We should not wait for grants, institutes, and time off for thought. The priority of this business is very great. On the other hand, if many of us were given the opportunity to work on this full time, human problems, cultural trends, and the mystery-mastery complex would receive more attention. The discontent of Sanford, Berg, and Bakan would be alleviated much sooner. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Postmodern psychology: Resonance and reflection.

K. J. Gergen comments on the reactions to his exchange (see record 1994-37275-001) with M. B. Smith (see record 1994-37277-001) from R. L. Russell and M. D. Gaubatz (see record 1995-36714-001); B. Denner (see record 1995-36711-001); D. Mente (see record 1995-36713-001); and D. White and A. Wang (see record 1995-36716-001). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

About postmodernism: Reply to Gergen and others.

In his reply, M. B. Smith comments on the issues between K. J. Gergen (see record 1994-37275-001) and himself (see record 1994-37277-001) and replies to comments by R. L. Russell and M. D. Gaubatz (see record 1995-36714-001); B. Denner (see record 1995-36711-001); D. Mente (see record 1995-36713-001); and D. White and A. Wang (see record 1995-36716-001). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Is free will a process or a content: Both? Neither? Are we free to affirm a position on this question?

Comments on the views on free will (FW) offered by B. D. Slife (see record 1995-13451-001), M. Gergen (see record 1995-14294-001), R. N. Williams (see record 1995-12851-001), M. S. Richardson (see record 1995-14311-001), and G. S. Howard (see record 1995-13446-001) in light of the classical definition of FW as being capable of doing otherwise. It is argued that FW interpretations differ markedly depending on whether they are viewed as due to a process or to contents within some process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Selected views of family assessment: A commentary.

Comments on articles concerning family assessment by H. D. Grotevant (see record 1990-12120-001); R. B. Hampson et al (see record 1990-12122-001); D. C. Bell and L. G. Bell (see record 1990-12106-001); C. I. Carlson (see record 1990-12110-001); and T. L. Huston and J. K. Rempel (see record 1990-12126-001). It is suggested that theory needs to be related to research and practice more consistently. It would be useful to identify the principle theories in family science and critically examine the unique assessment issues raised by each perspective. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Women, men, and marital quality.

Agrees with A. E. Kazak et al (see record 1989-17603-001) that the Dyadic Adjustment Scale should not be used to measure separate dimensions of marital quality but as a summary measure. However, it is suggested that both summary and separate-dimension measures are needed to make the study of marital quality more gender-sensitive. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

From agency/empowerment to embodied empowerment.

Comments on the agency papers by B. D. Slife (see record 1995-13451-001), M. Gergen (see record 1995-14294-001), R. N. Williams (see record 1995-12851-001), and G. S. Howard (see record 1995-13446-001). In response to these papers, M. S. Richardson states that the construct of agency/empowerment is replaced with embodied empowerment, the idea of which needs to be developed in a moral concept. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Understanding the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation—Uses and abuses of meta-anlysis: Comment on Deci, Koestner, and Ryan (1999).

Recently, 3 different meta-analytic reviews of the literature concerning the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation have appeared, including that by Deci, Koestner, and Ryan (see record 1999-01567-001) in this issue. Interestingly, despite their common focus, these reviews have offered dramatically opposed bottom-line conclusions about the meaning and implications of this literature. In this comment, the authors examine differences among these 3 reviews and conclude that the findings of this literature have been more accurately captured by the reviews of Deci et al. and Tang and Hall (see record 1996-19065-001) than by that of Cameron and Pierce (see record 1995-15243-001). More broadly, the authors also suggest that there may be significant short- and long-term costs to the unthinking or automatic use of meta-analysis with theoretically derived, procedurally diverse, and empirically complex literatures like that concerning extrinsic rewards and intrinsic motivation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Rigor, rigor mortis, and conspiratorial views of depression research.

The authors reassert the need for methodological changes in depression research appearing in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and other personality and social psychology journals. In this rejoinder the authors update their earlier literature review (H. Tennen, J. Hall, & G. Affleck; see record 1995-31710-001) and respond to the commentaries by P C. Kendall and E. C. Flannery-Schroeder (see record 1995-31700-001) and G. Weary, J. A. Edwards, and J. A. Jacobson (see record 1995-31713-001). The authors notice that G. Weary et al.'s own findings demonstrate the need to change how depression is measured and participants are assigned to experimental groups. The authors also challenge G. Weary et al.'s contention that structured interviews are limited because they require interviewer judgments, and they urge personality and social psychologists to learn more about these interviews. Finally, G. Weary et al.'s suspicion that depression research guidelines reflect professional parochialism is disputed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

I am wanting to tell you: Reply to Borgen (1995) and Dawis (1995).

This reply to F. H. Borgen (see record 1995-27394-001) and R. V. Dawis (see record 1995-27395-001)) argues that studying the causes, attributes, and benefits of participants' psychological experiencing of leisure is more likely to advance knowledge of leisure's effects on participants than efforts that recapitulate the study of vocational interests. The conceptual relation of the construct of needs to interests and values is explained, and it is suggested that K. Holmberg, D. Rosen, and J. L. Holland's (1990) taxonomy may lack validity because of its reliance on the armchair judgments of "experts." This article disagrees with Borgen's suggestion that H. E. A. Tinsley and B. D. Eldredge's (see record 1995-27399-001) findings are critical of J. L. Holland's (1985) theory and suggests a procedure for attempting to develop a valid taxonomy of leisure activities using Holland's theory. Nevertheless, Holland's theory largely ignores the amount of exertion intrinsic to an activity, and exertion is the most important dimension for distinguishing among leisure activities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological reactions of nonsmokers to secondhand smoke.

Comments on the article by Gibson (see record 1995-13278-001), which examined the psychological aspects of smoker-nonsmoker interaction. The current author adds two comments that he hopes will strengthen the positive impact of Gibson's papers. First, it is unlikely that laws and policies that provide for "nonsmoking" sections in public places will solve the problem by themselves. Second, the literature on the psychological reactions of nonsmokers to secondhand smoke reviewed by Gibson understates the psychological effects, including anger felt toward nearby smokers that is equal to the anger that anyone would feel against a person who assaults them. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? An appreciative appraisal.

Seeks to find the appreciative, positive inquiry aspects of and similarities in the papers by B. D. Slife (see record 1995-13451-001), R. N. Williams (see record 1995-12851-001), M. S. Richardson (see record 1995-14311-001), and G. S. Howard (see record 1995-13446-001) without critical academic judgment, applauding the removal, although insufficient, of the linear time metaphor, suggesting the allowance of agency as a characteristic of people-in-relations, and lamenting the commentary gap on relational unit of client and therapist. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Plausible models of alphabetic search: Reply to Scharroo, Leeuwenberg, Stalmeier, and Vos (1994).

D. Klahr et al (see record 1984-05777-001) proposed a model of the cognitive processes involved in alphabetic retrieval in terms of a 2-level hierarchy of forward-linked associations. J. Scharroo et al (see record 1994-24216-001) attempt to demonstrate that a simple associative model is more plausible, more parsimonious, and a better fit to the data than is the Klahr et al model. In this commentary the author argues that Scharroo et al misrepresent the way in which Klahr et al evaluated their model and that they fail to demonstrate the superiority of a simple associative model. In addition, it is suggested that a composite model that integrates the distinctive features of both models would advance understanding of the process of alphabetic retrieval. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)