Values and assumptions about values and assumptions.

Responds to comments by I. A. M. Nicholson, E. H. McWhirter, D. R. Ramm, and R. N. Sollod (see records 1998-00122-009, 1998-00122-010, 1998-00122-011, and 1998-00122-012) regarding I. Prilleltensky's (see record 1997-04451-002) article on the moral implications of psychological discourse and action. It is stated that these 4 authors, by commenting in a respectful fashion, show that they share the value of mutual understanding and the assumption that the best way to make progress in a discussion is through dialogue rather than moral exclusion. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotherapy and moral discourse.

Argues that psychotherapy's (PT's) claim to be a universal scientific practice that objectively treats ahistorical illnesses is untenable. PT is a cultural product, so it both reflects and reproduces its cultural context. Because cultural context is in part composed of moral traditions embedded in political structures, PT is unavoidably a moral practice with political consequences. Implicit moralities in current practices are discussed. Philosophical hermeneutics in PT practice are offered as an alternative. In a discussion of intersecting traditions, it is suggested that a hermeneutic perspective can portray the keeping of family secrets as a commitment to a particular moral code, rather than the products of a "dysfunctional family." If PT theories can be changed so that they are more historically situated, and if PT practices can be changed to use hermeneutics, then a different moral frame can be put forth. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reexamining guiding assumptions: Theoretical and methodological implications.

Analyzes articles by D. E. Polkinghorne (see record 1985-07630-001), G. S. Howard (see record 1985-07626-001), and M. J. Patton (see record 1985-07629-001), in terms of their assumptions concerning the nature of human beings and appropriate research methods in counseling psychology. They emphasize 4 sets of variables: intentionality, cognitive processes, consciousness, and talking behavior. They argue that the person in their social context should be the primary unit of analysis and that humans must be understood as active, self-constructing, goal-directed organisms. Replicated single-case designs are recommended as research methodology. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Shared assumptions: A citizen action group simulation.

Examined the impact of shared assumptions about the causes of social problems on the organization and action of citizen action groups. Three simulations focused on shared assumptions about the cause of rape. 150 female undergraduates formed committees that were asked to choose between the views of 2 simulated members on rape. Results indicate that Ss had difficulty making use of the skills of simulated members when they had different assumptions about the causes of rape. This was true even when the task was apparently unrelated to any causal assumptions. It is suggested that shared assumptions about the cause of a social problem may influence the ability of group members to take action. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Misguided assumptions of DSM-III-R: Implications for school psychological practice.

Reviewed and critiqued the relevance of the DSM-III-R for school psychological practice. Five misguided assumptions on which the use of the DSM-III-R system is based are presented. These assumptions deal with (1) medical model conceptualization of behavior, (2) reliability, (3) validity, (4) relevance for special education placement, and (5) treatment validity. Based on a critical analysis of each assumption, it was concluded that the DSM-III-R is largely irrelevant for the practice of school psychology. The absence of treatment validity was judged to be the most substantial deficit of the DSM-III-R. An alternative classification system based on a functional analysis of behavior was proposed as being more relevant for assessment, classification, placement, and intervention with students who are behaviorally disordered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Social discourse and moral judgment.

Reviews the book, Social discourse and moral judgment by Daniel N. Robinson (see record 1992-98331-000). It is not every day that a group of such original scholars in any field come together to debate a topic of genuine significance. Social Discourse and Moral Judgment is the result of such an occasion, a symposium dedicated to examining social constructionist contributions to the study of moral judgment, conducted at Georgetown University during March of 1991. Although all of the articles in this volume assume some level of familiarity with psychological theory and vocabulary, Social Discourse and Moral Judgment should appeal to the philosophical novice as well as those well-versed in social constructionist theory. While it is entirely impossible to adequately describe or summarize the complex argument and debate presented in this volume in so brief a space, some examination of the issues discussed should serve to illuminate its worth. Although there are many themes which reoccur throughout the book, discussion of only three (agency, individualism and relativism) are dealt with in this review. As a genuinely significant contribution to research in morality and moral judgment, this book has only two drawbacks. The first, which Robinson acknowledges, is simply that there were not more selections presented from the final discussion, and that the selections presented are sometimes sketchy and hard to follow. The second drawback is that there is no critique of the social constructionist position from a clearly hermeneutic or other continental perspective. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Moral conduct and moral character: A psychological perspective.

Suggests that moral conduct can be explained and the development of moral character described in terms of 5 concepts or dimensions: moral knowledge, socialization, empathy, autonomy, and a dimension of moral judgment. These dimensions arise from a conception of man as a rule-formulating and rule-following animal and a view of morality as a methodology, a result of biological and cultural evolution, which regulates and moderates social conduct. Each concept is given a theoretical and an operational definition, its developmental antecedents are discussed, and evidence is provided concerning its usefulness as a means for understanding moral conduct. Finally, the model as a whole is evaluated. (52 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Automatic ethics: The effects of implicit assumptions and contextual cues on moral behavior.

We empirically examine the reflexive or automatic aspects of moral decision making. To begin, we develop and validate a measure of an individual's implicit assumption regarding the inherent morality of business. Then, using an in-basket exercise, we demonstrate that an implicit assumption that business is inherently moral impacts day-to-day business decisions and interacts with contextual cues to shape moral behavior. Ultimately, we offer evidence supporting a characterization of employees as reflexive interactionists: moral agents whose automatic decision-making processes interact with the environment to shape their moral behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Values as truisms: Evidence and implications.

Three experiments tested the general hypothesis that values are cultural truisms—that is, beliefs that are widely shared and rarely questioned. Experiment 1 examined specifically whether people lack cognitive support for their values. It was predicted and found that analyzing one's reasons for particular values caused the values to change, a finding that would be expected only if individuals lack cognitive support for their values. Experiment 2 verified that analyzing reasons caused value change only when participants were not provided with cognitive support for their values. Experiment 3 found that the effect of analyzing reasons generalized across a range of individual-differences variables. Experiment 3 also showed that analyzing reasons resulted in value ratings that were less predictive of relevant attitudes than pre-reasons-analysis value ratings, but only for high self-monitors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

AIDS: Ethical implications for psychological intervention.

Examines the ethical issues facing psychologists working with people who are infected with AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) and individuals in high-risk groups. Duty to treat is examined with a consideration of homophobia and biases about intravenous drug users. Confidentiality is discussed in the context of record keeping, in cases of conflict with duty to warn, and in cases of suicide. Psychologists are urged to consider possible ethical dilemmas before they arise, to ensure that the best decisions are made. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Treatment implications of psychological assessment.

Presents some conceptual foundations and methods of enhancing the power of treatment decisions through psychological assessment. Individual articles discuss the identification of clients' behavior problems, a constructional approach to treatment, goal-centered and contextual assessment, the assessment of causal factors affecting clients' behavior problems, and the evaluation and refinement of ongoing therapy. The series proposes that treatment programs will be more effective if based on psychological assessment data and time-series assessment strategies, implemented throughout the assessment-treatment process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessing recognition memory for surface forms in discourse: A methodological note.

Two different experimental procedures have been advocated for testing recognition memory for surface forms in discourse. One involves using a reversed-text control group that reverses the roles of recognition targets and distractors. Experiments using this procedure have led some researchers to conclude that surface memory is a fairly robust phenomenon. The alternative procedure, which makes use of a no-text (or guessing) control group, has produced inconsistent results, leading other researchers to question the status of surface memory. The goals of this inquiry are to (1) explore the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, (2) assess alternative explanations for the inconsistency between them, and (3) evaluate the available evidence for better-than-chance recognition of surface forms in discourse. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Atypical antipsychotic medications: Pharmacological profiles and psychological implications.

Advances in psychopharmacology and the development of new antipsychotic medications may represent increased opportunities for psychologists to provide expanded psychosocial services to patients with schizophrenia. The new agents, referred to as the atypical antipsychotics, are as efficacious as the older conventional antipsychotics but demonstrate a more favorable side effect profile. Preliminary data suggest improvements in cognitive deficits and negative symptoms typically associated with schizophrenia, which may enhance long-term outcome. Psychologists may be increasingly called on to provide psychosocial services to this population, thereby requiring that they have a sound working knowledge of the pharmacological and psychological properties of these agents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Parental practices and the development of moral judgment and self-image disparity during adolescence.

The parents (58 fathers and 70 mothers) of 104 10th graders completed the Block Child-Rearing Practices Report and a brief parental survey questionnaire; the adolescents were administered the Defining Issues Test. It was found that higher self-image disparity, more positive ideal self-image, and less positive real self-image were related to a higher level of moral judgment. Parental practices that emphasized unilateral respect or that were nonnurturant were related to a lower level of moral judgment and to less emphasis on postconventional judgments. Among boys, higher self-image disparity was related to authoritarian child-rearing practices. Among girls, a more positive ideal self-image was related to father's emphasis on control and supervision and the mother's emphasis on control of sex and aggression. Findings are discussed in terms of sex-role stereotyping, cognitive-developmental factors of self-image, and the importance of opportunities for autonomous functioning in the elaboration of moral judgment. (34 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gifts bestowed, gifts withheld: Assessing psychological theory with a Kochian attitude.

Sigmund Koch, along with several members of his generation, insisted on a critical and self-critical stance toward psychological theory. Blending critique and possibility, Koch and others focused on the intricate links between theory and practice, morals and values, and the actual, although usually unacknowledged, choices open to theorists. An examination of "theory biographies" heightens appreciation of the legacy of such analyses as well as the positive promise of a Kochian perspective on psychological studies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessing the MMPI-based Cook-Medley Hostility Scale: The implications of dimensionality.

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-based Cook-Medley Hostility scale (W. W. Cook and D. M. Medley, 1954) historically has been used to investigate links between personality factors and health outcomes. We assessed the dimensionality of 27 Cook-Medley items previously found to predict mortality using full-information maximum likelihood factor analysis. The factor analyses revealed that these items serve as indicators for several constructs, with some factors apparently reflecting word usage rather than a meaningful psychological dimension. Analyses indicate that the psychological meaning of these (sub)scales is ambiguous and differs according to the respondent's gender. The findings are discussed in the context of evidence to support the construct validity of the scale and the implications of dimensionality for making inferences concerning the link among scale scores, personality factors, and health outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Child and adolescent psychological assessment: Current clinical practices and the impact of managed care.

Which psychological testing measures are clinical child and adolescent psychologists most commonly using? How has managed care influenced the practice of assessment for these professionals? This study provides survey data from 162 child practitioners employed in independent practice and in hospital, outpatient, and school-based settings throughout the United States. The results demonstrate marked consistency with recent surveys of clinicians working with adults, and a list of the 30 most frequently utilized measures is provided. Over 40% of the sample reported significant limitations in psychological testing due to managed-care policies. Strategies for maintaining an assessment practice are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Knowledge, moral praise, and moral side effects.

Thomas Nadelhoffer (2004) claims that a morally praiseworthy agent cannot knowingly produce a morally positive side effect. I claim that the argument Nadelhoffer uses to establish this claim has two false premises. The two false premises are: (1) If something is a side effect, then it is not desired or intended; and (2) If agent S is morally praiseworthy and knows that her performing p will produce a morally positive q, then q forms part of S's reason for p-ing. I offer a counterexample that shows the falsity of (1) and (2). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Systematic variability in the quality of moral action, as defined in two formulations.

Investigated whether the often-reported, low-level correlations among moral scores for different situations are due to systematic variations in both contexts and persons' functioning within 2 moral systems: L. Kohlberg's (1981) and an interactional formulation developed by N. Haan (1978). The sample was 119 university students, members of 15 naturally existing friendship groups. First, Ss were individually interviewed; then, as friendship groups, they took part in 5 sessions of about 3 hrs each; 10 groups played moral games, whereas 5 groups discussed hypothetical dilemmas. Ss were reinterviewed individually, soon after the 5 sessions, and again 3–4 mo later. Thus 8 moral scores were secured for each moral system. Measures of characteristic ego functioning and friends' sociometric evaluations were obtained before the sessions along with situationally evoked ego functioning and the groups' functioning during the sessions. Findings show that inconsistent moral performance occurred according to both systems, but variations could be attributed to systematic situational effects of contextual stress, contents of dilemmas, and operational style of friendship groups, and to individual differences in the characteristic and situationally evoked ways of resolving conflict. Differences between the 2 systems in the effects of ego strategies were most striking. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)