National priorities for the continuing education of psychologists.

Discusses 4 principles for the development of continuing education programs: (a) program planning based on psychology manpower and educational resources; (b) development of leadership experts in continuing education; (c) high-priority content areas, e.g., alcohol and drug abuses; and (d) research in basic and applied fields, e.g., learning and communications. Interdisciplinary and interorganizational exchange of knowledge and techniques is stressed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council: Distribution of funds to experimental psychologists.

Outlines the policies, procedures, and criteria for the distribution of individual research grants by the Psychology Grant Selection Committee of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. Examination of the distribution of funds to Canadian psychologists indicates that although seniority may have some effect on funding level, the major predictor after the initial grant period is merit, as measured by committee rating, publication rate, or citation count. (1 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Warning to clinical psychologists.

Comments on G. W. Albee's (1970) article about the uncertain future of clinical psychology (CP) and points out ways in which CP training in the UK differs in the US. Clinical psychologists in the UK are not regarded as 2nd-class scientists as Albee suggests that they are in the US. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

National study of the experience of psychologists with psychotropic medication and psychotherapy.

Psychologists have been involved in psychopharmacological research and practice since the 1950s, although this seems not to have been remembered. Biodyne data on 1.6 million mental episodes from 1988 to 1992 document psychologists' involvement in monitoring and managing psychopharmacological medications. A large percentage of patients presenting for mental treatment were already taking psychotropic drugs. Medication usage decreased dramatically as psychologists diagnosed their individual conditions and initiated psychotherapy in addition to monitoring and managing medication usage. Relevant training in psychopharmacology should be an integral part of training of psychologists providing health care. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A plea to professional psychologists.

Monroe H. Freeman is Chairman of the National Capital Area Civil Liberties Union, consultant to the Educational Testing Service, and a member of the Test Development and Research Committee of the Law School Admission Test. His plea to psychologists ist that each psychologist bring to bear their professional training and their special insights to evaluate, or reevaluate, the proper role and the unique responsibilities of the psychologist with respect to people who are not voluntarily seeking psychological counseling, but who are compelled to be tested as a condition to employment. He discusses three elements of the problem: the sociopolitical aspects, the impact on individuals, and the question of professional responsibility. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Contemporary issues of concern to psychologists.

Information and opinions expressed by individual psychologists are summarized. Major topics are indicated as follows: The Current Scene; The Psychologist Citizen; Education—Identification of Talent, Counseling and Guidance, Scholarships, Motivation of Students, Educational Methods, Motivation of Teachers, Educational Facilities, Research on Education, Tax Support; Science—Attitudes toward Science, Research Support, Motivation of Scientists, Scientific and Technical Information, International Exchange of Scientists, Federal Department of Science, National Science Academy; Defense—Security, National Productivity, International Cooperation, Search for Peace, Information, Research, Education and Training, Liaison. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

National Academy of Forensic Engineers

This paper gives a definition of forensic engineering and reviews the qualifications needed by practitioners of forensic engineering. The need for ethical practice and the avoidance of bias are discussed. The full practitioner is a professional engineer with much specialized experience. The establishment of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers is reviewed and qualifications for membership recounted. The availability of a “correspondent” category for those who cannot meet membership requirements is stated.     

Personal distress and therapeutic effectiveness: National survey of psychologists practicing psychotherapy.

A nationwide anonymous survey of 749 psychologists practicing psychotherapy was conducted to assess the impact of therapists' personal distress on the quality of patient care provided. A usable return rate of 44% was obtained (N?=?318). An SPSS-X multiple discriminant analyses equation was used for the data analysis. A total of 74.3% reported experiencing "personal distress" during the previous 3 years; of those, 36.7% indicated that it decreased the quality of patient care, and 4.6% admitted that it resulted in inadequate treatment. A variety of factors were found to be associated with the experience of personal distress encountered, its impact on treatment, and the treatment interventions used. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perceived characteristics of elected representatives.

"The present study deals with the perceived personal characteristics of members who are preferred by their peers to serve as spokesman in decision making interaction with representatives elected by other groups… . Results show clear-cut differences and are interpreted as supporting the hypothesis that members do elect as representatives those whom they see as possessing superior procedural skill and intellectual competence… . [They] are not more outstanding than members least preferred in terms of… emotional characteristics such as helping, harmonizing, or making others feel at ease. Rather they are seen as personally 'strong'… dominating… resisting conformity pressures, and facing up to problems rather than running away from them." From Psyc Abstracts 36:04:4GF93B. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Alcoholic psychologists: Routes to recovery.

The authors interviewed abstinent alcoholic psychologists with a structured interview previously used in studies of other alcoholic professionals. Histories and experiences of the psychologists closely resembled those of other professionals. Like the other professionals, psychologists had exhibited relatively advanced, visible signs of alcoholism, but professional sanctions were rare and almost never combined with effective intervention. Although a majority had received professional treatment, the treatment was usually inappropriate or ineffective. Most Ss had recovered or attained sobriety outside of formal intervention programs or professional therapy or treatment. Recovery depended excessively on happenstance events and self-diagnosis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Good and poor practices in psychotherapy: National survey of beliefs of psychologists.

As part of a larger study of behaviors and standards of psychologists and resources for guiding their actions, survey data were collected from 456 (231 male and 225 female) American Psychological Association members selected from Division 29 (Psychotherapy). Participants were asked to rate the degree to which they considered each of 83 behaviors to constitute good or poor practice. About one fourth (22) of the behaviors were considered to be uniformly "poor" by at least 60% of the participants. Only 2 behaviors were judged uniformly "good" by at least 50% of the participants. About one fourth (18) of the behaviors were difficult to judge (i.e., at least 20% of the participants indicated "don't know/not sure"). Participants tended to report that their behavior conformed to their standards of good practice and had a tendency to maintain stricter standards for judging whether a behavior was good or poor practice than for judging whether it was ethical or unethical. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

S. 836: National Foundation for the Social Sciences Act of 1966.

The National Foundation for the Social Sciences Act of 1966 establishes an independent agency of the federal government for the purpose of promoting research and scholarship in the social sciences. Provisions cover administration, funding, patient rights and freedom of information, and correlation of programs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)