Evaluation of Canadian psychology departments based on citation and publication counts: A comment.

Comments on the article by A. R. Buss (see record 1976-26634-001), which purports to evaluate Canadian psychology departments in terms of productivity and impact upon the discipline. Publication counts and citation counts from the Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) were tabulated for each staff member and totaled for each department. The author suggests that his exercise will give us some lessons in the methodology of the sociology of science, as it pertains to the problem of evaluating the quality of departments within a discipline. While it is questionable whether such a unitary evaluation can be done at all, more importantly the article raises two other questions: What are the possible purposes of such a task? Has Buss's article done an adequate job of doing the task regardless of purpose? With reference to the first question, it is virtually impossible to think of any legitimate use to which such finding could be put. On the question as to whether the Buss evaluations are well done, a few obvious points are listed. One of these is Buss's choice of the SSCI, which he admits does not include citations in some important psychological journals. In summary, the Buss paper includes a set of evaluations which serve no useful purpose. Furthermore, they are complete with numerous sources of known error, some of them systematic. The author has added to this all the problems of choice of summarizing values. The reviewer takes offense at his taxes being used for so shallow a purpose. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

What is Basic in Education?: Comment.

Comments on Nathan Kogan's article "Psychology Course in High School" (see record 2005-07923-007.) The author of this comment argues that psychology should be introduced into secondary schools, because he believes it is the basic science of all. If the curriculum were to be filled with basic science, psychology must come first. The author believes that it can be proven factually that psychology is of worth to high school students and should be available to all students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"The practice of forensic psychology: A look toward the future in light of the past": Comment on Otto and Heilbrun (2002).

Comments on the article by R. K. Otto and K. Heilbrun (see record 2002-10575-001) discussing the state of the field of forensic psychology. The current author objects to what he perceives as Otto and Heilbrun's attempt to discredit all but closely protected American Psychological Association (APA) affiliated organizations, and their subsequent biased comments based on poor research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Of "Sympathy for the Devil" and a Question of Conscious versus Unconscious Spite: Comment on Shabad (2000).

This commentary takes up a problem raised by Peter Shabad (2000) (see record 2000-00917-004), who argues that for certain patients, symptomatic behavior is reflective of unconsciously spiteful feelings toward internalized objects. His article was inspired by Dostoyevsky's (1864/2001) famous novella "Notes From Underground," whose narrator is proud of his spiteful character, unlike Shabad's patients, who are entirely unaware that they harbor such feelings. Although Shabad lays out the dynamics as he understands them of his patients' unconscious spite, he never makes clear what it is that makes spiteful feelings explicit in the narrator of Dostoyevsky's novella and real-life individuals like him. This response endeavors to account for this crucial difference using cases from literature as well as from life. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On melding psychometric science and clinical acumen in neuropsychological assessment: Reply to Snow and Hynd.

Responds to the comments of J. Snow and G. Hynd (see record 1984-30457-001) on inappropriate approaches to neuropsychological test profiles. The present author contends that he noted their objections in his original article (see record 1982-27041-001); it is suggested that the criticism reflects a general neglect of basic concepts (e.g., empirical evaluation of clinical interpretation) that are relevant to assessment in neuropsychology. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

More Problems With Gap Closing Philosophy and Research.

Comments on Ceci and Papierno's article (see record 2005-01817-001) concerning advantaged and disadvantaged youth interventions. The author notes that while the article was more than welcome, the discussion was nevertheless still couched within a seriously culturally biased conceptual framework. Even though most psychologists accept this framework, it actually renders many ways of dealing with the problem of disadvantage invisible and undiscussable. The author uses an example inquiring into mothers' priorities in child rearing. Overall, the author feels that virtually all the interventions discussed by Ceci and Papierno are construed within--and designed to reward--what one might call a Western, middle-class mind-set and to reinforce its personal and social structural consequences through a self-fulfilling process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An alternative to DSM-III.

Comments on the article by Schacht and Nathan (see record 1978-29497-001), which presented a critical analysis of the 3rd edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III). Schacht and Nathan note the inappropriateness of categorizing all mental disorders as a subset of medical disorders. The current author suggests that this may result in insurers and legislators increasingly relying on psychiatrists for both diagnosis and treatment of mental problems. He suggests that the American Psychological Association should develop its on diagnostic manual to be free of the biases and limitations of the DSM-III. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Longitudinal study of social class and defense preferences": Erratum.

Reports an error in the original article by A. Weinstock (Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1967[Oct], 31[5], 539-541). In this article, the author failed to mention that the study was done at the University of California Institute of Human Development and was supported in part by United States Public Health Service Grant MH 06238-02. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1967-16574-001.) Longitudinal data were used to assess the relationship between childhood social class and the development of particular defense mechanisms in adulthood. Childhood social class was correlated with ratings of defense mechanisms made when Ss were 30 yr. old. The results show that denial is negatively and projection and intellectualization are positively correlated with childhood social class. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Editorial.

As he approaches the halfway mark in his role as Editor of the Psychological Bulletin, the author uses this editorial to take stock of where the Bulletin has gone during the first half of his editorship, and where he would still like to see it go. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Integrating individual and family therapy.

Reviews the book, Integrating individual and family therapy by Larry Feldman (see record 1992-97185-000). In this book, Larry Feldman takes the position that integration of individual and family therapy concepts and treatment is not only possible but is therapeutically preferable and more effective than individual or family therapy alone. The author maintains the importance of understanding both the intrapsychic and interpersonal variables that stimulate and reinforce the problems of the individual client. This book makes an important contribution in an area in which knowledge, experience, research and case studies are sparse but needed. His case studies were too brief to provide the detailed knowledge a clinician needs in order to learn his model. Although he presents no real data or rates of success or failure of the integration of these approaches, he has made a good beginning in outlining an important treatment approach and raising the questions needed to further develop such a model. Feldman's ideas are stimulating and will add information to the debate about the separation or the integration of individual and family therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Psychotherapy's" Autonomy.

Comments on the article by A. Astin (see record 1962-03183-001) which examined the functional autonomy of psychotherapy. The current author was left with the vague suspicion that Astin had martialed a good deal of scholarly evidence to prove a point that needs no proof. Psychotherapy is autonomous and serious students of it are giving a good deal of thought, time, and energy to a consideration of its functional properties. Certainly many of the "practitioners" are as unhappy as Astin over the uncertainties involved, but fortunately, unlike Astin they have not washed their hands of the "bothersome business" of outcome or process. The first issue that needs attention is his opening sentence. Unfortunately, here he gives no reference to indicate how long we have been about the business of attempting to formulate rigorously any test hypotheses about the therapy relationship within that situation itself and in the laboratory as well. The second and final point the current author makes is that it is unnecessary to answer Astin's article point by point. It would be more fruitful to look at the term "psychotherapy" and see in what way he may not have attended to what is perhaps the most important part of the problem he raises. That is, what does it mean to condemn "psychotherapy" when there are so many meanings attached to it, all applied by men of general good will who do intend to "provide a service to troubled people." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Problems with a monolithic APA style.

Comments on the article by R. Madigan et al (see record 1995-31466-001) analyzing the epistemology of APA style. The author argues that critics both in and beyond psychology have challenged the epistemology and details of APA style, pointing to the constraints it places on reporting and knowledge-making processes. References are made to specific problems with APA style including its embodiment of a behaviorist set of assumptions about human beings that many psychologists consider flawed. The author states that in their analysis, Madigan et al relied on the work of scholars outside the discipline. Although the Madigan et al take a sunnier view of APA style than the author, he does agree with them that much can be learned by talking to people beyond one's disciplinary boundaries. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The reaction of a participant observer.

Comments on an article by Conway about clinical psychology training in Canada (see record 1985-10567-001). The current author addresses issues regarding accreditation standards for applied psychology training programs in Canada. He firmly believes that the Canadian Psychological Association should develop a set of criteria for applied rather than clinical programs, in order to remain competitive with programs in the United States. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Integrating culture and attachment.

Comments on the article by F. Rothbaum et al (see record 2000-02781-001), which highlighted evidence of cultural variations in, and noted ways in which attachment theory is laden with Western values and meaning in comparisons of the US and Japan. According to the present author, culture must be defined before considering attachment in cultural contexts, and the Rothbaum et al article compared the Western middle class with the whole Japanese population, with all of its various social groups. Such a cavalier attitude on the part of Rothbaum et al shows a naive enthusiasm for cultural varieties and specifics that, without being balanced with generality, kills theorization. Lack of a proper definition in context combined with naive enthusiasm is reason, according to the present author, for theoretical disaster. Following discussion of the particular disasters of the Rothbaum et al article, the present author proposes a more proper direction for intercultural psychology to take. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The evolving profession of psychology: Comment on Lowe Hays-Thomas's (2000) "The silent conversation."

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 31(4) of Professional Psychology: Research and Practice (see record 2007-17397-001). On page 346 in the author note, Louisiana Southern University was given as the university where Tommy T. Stigall received his PhD. The correct university is Louisiana State University.] The authors comment on R. Lowe Hays-Thomas (2000; see record 2000-03894-016). The article begins with a few comments about the master's-degree issue and then examines the evolution of professional psychology in relationship to the master's issue over the past 50 years and into the future. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Reasons to leave shiftwork and psychological and psychosomatic complaints of former shiftworkers": Correction to Frese and Okonek.

Reports an error in "Reasons to leave shiftwork and psychological and psychosomatic complaints of former shiftworkers" by Michael Frese and Klaus Okonek (Journal of Applied Psychology, 1984[Aug], Vol 69[3], 509-514). On p. 510, first column, third line from the bottom of the page, the N for the OR group should be 96, not 36. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 1984-32942-001.) 191 male blue-collar workers who had previously worked nights and shifts were differentiated into 3 groups: a group that had left night- and shiftwork because of health reasons; another that left it for various other reasons; and a middle group that had a combination of health and other reasons for leaving. Ss completed measures of environmental and psychological stress, psychosomatic and other health complaints, and irritation and strain. Findings show that the 1st group had more health complaints than the one that left for other reasons. They were less skilled, had been unemployed less often, and were typically told by their physician to leave shiftwork. They had also stayed in shiftwork longer than the group that left shiftwork for other reasons. It is suggested that studies on former shiftworkers should differentiate between these groups so as not to underestimate the real problems of former shiftworkers who left for health reasons. (13 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Arteriosclerotic skin lesions resembling cutaneous vasculitis

The author reviews literature relating to the use of activities in the treatment of chronic schizophrenia, citing several programs that combined activities and psychotherapy to produce effective modes of treatment. He also describes a program in which he used collage-making to help a group of schizophrenic women improve interpersonal relationships, reality-testing, and self-image as well as to help them express problems and develop feelings of autonomy. The author believes that such combined programs help meet the basic needs of schizophrenic patients and alleviate their tendencies to withdraw from their surroundings.     

Heidegger's investigative method in Being and Time.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 23(4) of Psychoanalytic Psychology (see record 2006-20697-002). The sentence on p. 599 should read as follows: "Heidegger makes crystal clear that by Being-in he does not mean a categorial relationship in which one present-at-hand entity is spatially contained inside another present-at-hand entity."] This article explores Heidegger's investigative method--which the author sees as a unique blending of phenomenology, hermeneutics, and contextualism--and its relationship to its subject matter, the meaning of Being. The unity of Heidegger's investigative method and its subject matter is seen to mirror the contextual whole whose basic structure as Being-in-the-world his investigation unveils. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)