Skimpy AP?

Registers a complaint about the amount of American Psychological Association dues, and about the way the funds are used. The author suggests that the size of the American Psychologist be increased and the less popular journals eliminated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Diagnostic efficiency of DSM–IV indicators for binge eating episodes.

Objective: Research has examined various aspects of the validity of the research criteria for binge eating disorder (BED) but has yet to evaluate the utility of the 5 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM–IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) “indicators for impaired control” specified to help determine loss of control while overeating (i.e., binge eating). We examined the diagnostic efficiency of these indicators proposed as part of the research criteria for BED (eating until uncomfortably full; eating when not hungry; eating more rapidly than usual; eating in secret; and feeling disgust, shame, or depression after the episode). Method: A total of 916 community volunteers completed a battery of measures including questions about each of the indicators. Participants were categorized into 3 groups: BED (N = 164), bulimia nervosa (BN; N = 83), and non-binge-eating controls (N = 669). Four conditional probabilities (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive power [PPP], and negative predictive power [NPP]) as well as total predictive value (TPV) and kappa coefficients were calculated for each indicator criterion in separate analyses comparing BED, BN, and combined BED + BN groups relative to controls. Results: PPPs and NPPs suggest all of the indicators have predictive value, with eating alone because embarrassed (PPP = .80) and feeling disgusted (NPP = .93) performing as the best inclusion and exclusion criteria, respectively. The best overall indicators for correctly identifying binge eating (based on TPV and kappa) were eating when not hungry and eating alone because embarrassed. Conclusions: All 5 proposed indicators for impaired control for determining binge eating have utility, and the diagnostic efficiency statistics provide guidance for clinicians and the DSM–5 regarding their usefulness for inclusion or exclusion. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

But Are they symposia?

The author discusses perceptions of a frustrating and self-defeating quality of the symposia presented at the 1958 APA convention. It is argued that most of the symposia had too many speakers who read papers far too lengthy, so that no time remained for an exchange of ideas among the participants, let alone for reactions from the audience. Presumably the symposium, along with discussion groups, workshops, etc., is considered a superior way of encouraging the interchange of ideas in areas which are new, complex, or controversial. If so, it needs continued experimentation as to form and procedure so that something creative may emerge. Instead our APA symposia seem to follow a stereotyped pattern and too often turn out to be long-winded paper sessions involving little or no meeting of the minds. Will the program chairmen for 1959 please think seriously about improving this important part of our national and regional meetings? (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social science evidence in the courtroom: Daubert and beyond?

Recent Supreme Court decisions suggest that judges should conduct a gatekeeping inquiry before admitting testimony that is based on psychology or other social sciences. Perspectives from other areas of applied social research may be of use to psychologists and others as they consider these decisions by the Court. A view of research as "assisted sensemaking" highlights (a) the importance of better understanding the capacities and limits of the natural sensemaking of jurors, (b) reasons why the gatekeeping function is appropriate, and (c) possible ways in which researchers can better serve the courts as they deal with the implications of gatekeeping. The possible impact of different types of expert testimony and the potential development of nonadversarial support mechanisms are also discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

What ought psychology to do?

The Reverend Jesse Jackson addressed the American Psychological Association on August 20, 1999, in Boston, Massachusetts. His speech concerned social justice and psychology. This article presents the text of an abridged version of his remarks. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On categorical diagnoses in DSM-V: Cutting dimensions at useful points?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM–V) will likely place more emphasis on dimensional representation of mental disorders. However, it is often argued that categorical diagnoses are preferable for professional communication, clinical decision-making, or distinguishing between individuals with and without a mental disorder. For these specific aims, utility-based categories can be created on the basis of a dimensional framework by using cut-points. This article addresses several ideas for combining categorical and dimensional approaches like prototype matching, adding scores of symptom-severity, and introducing utility-based categories in dimensional models. The authors identify alternative objectives for specifying cut-points and describe ways of determining the cut-points accordingly. It is recommended that, for creating standard diagnostic concepts, fixed cutoffs be used, as this promotes accumulative science, but these cutoffs may not be optimal for other clinical decisions because of local base rates and decision-specific (dis)utilities. Receiver operator characteristics curves can facilitate the comparative evaluation of the trade-off between sensitivity and specificity for multiple cut-points and diagnostic rules. The authors advocate a DSM–V that contains both categories and dimensions to serve the multiple and complex aims of utility and validity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Contextualism in psychological research?: A critical review.

Reviews the book, Contextualism in psychological research?: A critical review by E. J. Capaldi and Robert W. Proctor (see record 1999-04104-000). In this book, these authors seek to expose what they perceive to be the fatal epistemological and conceptual flaws of the contextualist position (which they broadly and somewhat sloppily define as any approach in psychology that is more or less anti-mechanistic in its inclinations). It is a useful, clearly written, and provocative response to much recent contextualist thinking. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The agonistic metaphor in psychotherapy: Should clients battle their blues?

A tradition stretching back to early Greek philosophy has described the mind as a field of struggle or even battle. This comparison has been termed the agonistic metaphor, based on the Hellenistic notion of athletic contests. Today, it is not uncommon for psychotherapists and the general public to seek solutions to mental health problems agonistically. Examples of this are cited from major psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, family, and humanistic theorists, and advantages and disadvantages of the metaphor are explored. Although agonistic thinking can energize clients and ennoble the therapeutic journey, it runs the risk of ignoring educative aspects of problematic situations and ironically perpetuating the resistance it predicts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reviews of Using LISREL for structural equation modelling: A researcher’s guide and Principles and practice of structural equation modelling.

Reviews the books, Using LISREL for structural equation modelling: A researcher’s guide and Principles and practice of structural equation modelling by E. Kevin Kelloway (see record 1998-08130-000) and Principles and practice of structural equation modelling by Rex B. Kline (see record 1998-02720-000). Structural equation modeling (SEM) is one of the most rapidly growing analytic techniques in use today. Proponents of the approach have virtually declared die advent of a statistical revolution, while skeptics worry about the widespread misuse of complex and often poorly understood analytic methods. The two new books under review are therefore timely. Both are valuable, but differ in important ways. Kevin Kelloway's book is directed at the researcher with little knowledge of structural equation modeling and is intricately linked to one of the more popular structural equation modeling programs, LISREL. For researchers keen to begin analyzing data quickly, this book is an invaluable resource that will speed one's introduction to SEM. On the other hand, the volume written by Rex Kline represents one of the most comprehensive of available introductions to the application, execution, and interpretation of this technique. The book is written for both students and researchers who do not have extensive quantitative background. It is especially attentive to quantitative issues common to most structural equation applications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

[Review of Who shall survive? Foundations of sociometry, group psychotherapy and sociodrama and Group dynamics: Research and theory].

Reviews the books, Who shall survive? Foundations of sociometry, group psychotherapy and sociodrama (Rev. Ed.) by J. L. Moreno (1953); and Group dynamics: Research and theory Edited by Dorwin Cartwright and Alvin Zander (1953). In the Foreword to his book, Personality: a Biosocial Approach to Origins and Structure, Gardner Murphy described the volume as somewhat like "an explorer's kit, containing, to be sure, some standard tools, and also some maps. Some of the maps are sober, some eccentric, no doubt; but all are drawn in the belief that any map of a far country encourages more travel than an architect's finished representation of the doorway as it is here and now" (p. x). Imbued with this philosophy, the present reviewer welcomes the appearance of the revised edition of Who Shall Survive? and of Group Dynamics. Each is an important volume which has much to contribute to improving our understanding of the social nature of man and the nature of man's social behavior. To those of us searching for a "world" view in the field of social psychology, the special projections of the cartography of these volumes must be properly identified before the maps can be redrawn and integrated. Moreno offers us a complete theoretical globe. "Sociometry cuts through all social sciences as it deals with social phenomena at a deep level where they merge or more precisely before they 'e'merge into 'psychological', 'sociological', 'anthropological', or 'economic' phenomena" (p. 54). Cartwright and Zander, on the other hand, offer us half a dozen illustrations of the cartographer's art without too clear an indication of how they are interrelated, what the contiguous areas may be like, on what basis they were chosen--but each does depict a large and rich terrain, and the maps are beautiful. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) and capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) follow gaze around barriers: Evidence for perspective taking?

Gaze following is an adaptive skill that might have been selected in social species, such as many nonhuman primates, to obtain information about food location, predators, and social interactions. The authors investigated the ability of spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) and capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) to follow the gaze of a human around barriers and the presence of “looking back” behavior. In the 1st experiment, a human looked to a target location inside the testing room, whereas in the 2nd experiment, the human looked behind an opaque barrier placed outside the testing room. The authors compared the frequency of looking at the target location with the corresponding baseline looking frequencies. Both species (a) showed evidence of spontaneous gaze following in the 1st experiment and (b) engaged in gaze following behind the barrier in the 2nd experiment. In contrast, neither species performed “looking back” responses. The authors conclude that both monkey species showed some indication of perspective-taking abilities, although the absence of “looking back” behavior suggests a potential difference from the abilities shown by the great apes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Democracy’s discontent.

Reviews the book, Democracy’s discontent: America in search of a public philosophy by Michael Sandel (1996). This book has been widely read by academics, politicians and others in public life, and interested citizens, giving him the stature of a leading public intellectual in contemporary America. Even though it is a work of political philosophy, I believe that Sandel’s writings have a special relevance for theoretical and philosophical psychology. At the outset of this book Sandel delivers his often-quoted observation that the “anxiety of the age” is the “fear that, individually and collectively, we are losing control of the forces that govern our lives” and that “from family to neighborhood to nation...the moral fabric of community is unraveling around us” (p. 3). He then describes how this loss of a sense of personal efficacy and meaningful human ties might derive from the dominance in our society of the “public philosophy of contemporary liberalism.” (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Introduction à la psychologie cognitive (2e édition).

Reviews the book, Introduction à la psychologie cognitive (2e édition) by Alain Lieury (2010). The goal of this book is to provide an overview of scientific psychology for the layperson who is considering studying this subject at university. In the first part of the work, the author reviews the history of scientific psychology and its various specialties, identifying the main areas of psychology, namely psychopathology, cognitive and experimental psychology, the neurosciences, social psychology and developmental psychology. In the second part, he explores four major themes of scientific psychology, that is, auditory and visual perception; memory; intelligence; and motivation and personality. This book paints a picture of scientific psychology with a writing style that is direct, concise and well suited to its target audience. It presents information in accessible, but not hackneyed, language. Theories are illustrated with interesting and reliable examples of research. Overall the work achieves its goal, though readers may be left puzzled by its title, since the author does not clearly define what he means by "cognitive psychology," giving it a broader meaning than it would normally have in Canada. Too succinct for some and too general for others, this is nevertheless an original work dealing with a broad topic, of which there are few in French. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of After high school--what?.

Reviews the book "After high school--what?" by Ralph F. Berdie (with chapters by Wilbur L. Layton and Ben Williams; see record 1955-02936-000). This volume reports the methods and results of a major investigation of the posthigh school plans of high school seniors and of a number of factors believed to be related to those plans. More specifically, the purpose of the study was "to investigate the factors determining college attendance with particular attention to a comparison of determinants related to economic status and those related to cultural or educational status." The study reported here gains in significance because of its comprehensive coverage both with respect to the population studied and to the types of data included. If the generalizations sometimes seem to outrun the data (despite disclaimers), this is a state of affairs not completely unknown in survey research. This is a solid contribution to current work on manpower problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Revue de Neuropsychologie du développement.

Reviews the book, Neuropsychologie de développement (2000). Claude Braun showed courage by writing his Neuropsychology book of the development. It is not frequent that somebody undertakes a task of this width. This work, is very understanding, puts at the range French-speaking people at last knowledge in neuropsychology of the development. Its 26 chapters treat normal and pathological development nervous system, of an exhaustive number of syndromes and their characteristics on the neurological, psychological, diagnostic level and of intervention for then finishing by discussing in a rather thorough way the neuropsychological evaluation of typical cases in a pediatric practice (e.g.: epilepsy, small evil, disease of Gilles of Tourette, etc). Moreover, the topics are treated according to various stages' of the life with the changes which the age causes in the development of the nervous system of the infant, the child of school age, and the teenager. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Are there species-universal categories in bird song phonology and syntax? A comparative study of chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs), zebra finches (Taenopygia guttata), and swamp sparrows (Melospiza georgiana).

Previous studies of learned bird song have suggested the existence of species-universal patterns in song organization: clear clusters in produced songs that do not vary within a species. Here the authors combine a computational method of comparing songs with statistical methods of assessing cluster structure to investigate this issue in a more quantitative manner. The authors first analyze song phonology and then examine song syntax at a population level in 3 species with very different song structure: chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs), zebra finches (Taenopygia guttata), and swamp sparrows (Melospiza georgiana). The authors used a dynamic time-warping algorithm to compare song elements, which closely matched the judgments of human observers. Clustering tendency and validation statistics showed that broad phonological categories existed in all 3 species, but these categories explained no more than half of the overall phonological variation. The authors developed a novel statistic to assess syntactical structure, which indicated that element transitions were not randomly distributed. In the clearest case, in chaffinches, this could be explained by syllables being linked to certain positions within the song. These results demonstrate measures of song organization that can be applied across species, enhancing the potential of comparative studies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

L'Année Psychologique: History of the founding of a 100-year-old French journal.

The authors present the history of the founding of the French journal L'Année Psychologique. The names of T. Ribot (1839–1916), H. Beaunis (1830–1921), and A. Binet (1857–1911) are closely associated with the journal. Ribot's election to the chair of Experimental and Comparative Psychology at the Collège de France in 1888 marked the official emancipation of psychology in France. Because there was no laboratory associated with the chair, Beaunis, a physiological psychologist from Nancy, proposed to Ribot the creation of the first French laboratory of experimental psychology (1889). Under Beaunis's direction, this laboratory was established at the Sorbonne in Paris but was in fact dependent on another educational institution, L'Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes. In 1893 the laboratory's research was first published in a yearly journal named Travaux du Laboratoire de Psychologie Physiologique (2 volumes: 1893–1894). Binet, who joined the laboratory in 1891, was not satisfied by the form of this publication. With Beaunis's agreement, he then created L'Année Psychologique in 1894 to develop the reputation of the laboratory's research. The authors present the evolution and vicissitudes of the journal from 1895 to 1912, with a glance up to the present. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of What is electroshock therapy?.

What is Electroshock Therapy? (1954) presents answers to commonly asked questions about this form of treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reviews of Psychoanalyses/feminisms; That obscure subject of desire: Freud's female homosexual revisited; and Who's that girl? Who's that boy? Clinical practice meets postmodern gender theory.

Reviews the books, Psychoanalyses/feminisms by Peter L. Rudnytsky and Andrew M. Gordon (see record 1999-04403-000); That obscure subject of desire: Freud's female homosexual revisited by Ronnie C. Lesser and Erica Schoenberg (see record 1999-04164-000); and Who's that girl? Who's that boy? Clinical practice meets postmodern gender theory by Lynne Layton (1999). The three books reviewed herein are examples of these crosscurrents. The first, Psychoanalyses/Feminisms, comes out of literary studies, where feminism and psychoanalysis have found particularly fertile ground. Almost all the writers here are professors of English, and although without clinical experience or case material, their discussions of Freudian theory are knowledgeable and thought-provoking. Freud looked to literature for his insights, and he was himself a powerful story teller. All of these modern day theorists put his feet to the fire that he did not challenge sufficiently in his stories, the cultural biases and assumptions of the society in which he was immersed. The second book, That Obscure Subject of Desire: Freud's Female Homosexual Revisited, is a collection edited by Ronnie Lesser and Erica Schoenberg. Many of the contributors are gay and lesbian psychoanalysts. Established psychoanalysis has had difficulty in openly accepting homosexual psychoanalysts and in addressing fully their concerns about current psychoanalytic theory as it pertains to the treatment of persons with a homosexual orientation. The rage some of these writers feel toward established practice or toward Freud is evident; and hopefully, just as feminist rage helped to alter our psychoanalytic understanding of women, this will help to alter our understanding of homosexual development in our culture. The last book reviewed, Who's that girl? Who's that boy? Clinical practice meets postmodern gender theory, is by Lynne Layton and has aspects that are inspiring for their insights into a "postmodern" (to my mind, an unfortunate term) way of thinking about gender issues. The book—actually a collection of articles by Layton—deals both with analysis of aspects of modern culture as well as clinical material. What Layton wants most to show are the ways in which psychoanalysis has enshrined as "normal" in the very essence of its theories, from the Oedipus complex through concepts of masculinity and femininity to acceptable sexual practices, the tremendous biases of our culture. She wants to provide a bridge between deconstruction thinkers and psychoanalytic thinkers. These three books are compelling examples of the changes that are taking place so rapidly in contemporary psychoanalytic attempts to understand gender and sexuality within the matrix of our culture, and they are a testament to how psychoanalysis is vibrant, challenging, and very much alive today. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)