"Most of the subjects were White and middle class": Trends in published research on African Americans in selected APA journals, 1970–1989.

Six APA journals (Developmental Psychology, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Journal of Counseling Psychology, Journal of Educational Psychology, and Journal of Personality and Social Psychology) were content analyzed for the presence of empirical articles on African Americans during the 1970–1989 publication period. The analysis revealed a declining representation of African-American research in the 6 journals. In addition, the empirical literature that does exist was found to be lacking in methodological rigor, as defined by characteristics such as the reporting of the socioeconomic status (SES) of Ss and experimenter race. Explanations for the decline were suggested, and recommendations were proposed for alleviating the growing marginalization of African-American research in the journals of mainstream psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex bias in schizophrenia research: A short report.

Lack of consideration of possible sex differences among schizophrenics and a possible male bias was noted in a survey of 3 refereed journals publishing schizophrenia research. Studies in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, and the Archives of General Psychiatry often failed even to specify the sex composition of their schizophrenic samples. In addition, there was a tendency in 2 of these journals to use more male than female schizophrenic Ss. It is suggested that unattended sex differences among schizophrenics may influence both experimental results and sex composition of samples, thereby introducing a significant sex bias into schizophrenia research. Greater attention to differences between male and female schizophrenics is urged. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Editor’s introduction to the special issue.

The breadth of developments in the area of psychotherapy and the significant policy issues have prompted the development of Special Issues on Psychotherapy Research for the American Psychologist (AP) and the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (JCCP). The JCCP issue has been designed to bring together different types of articles, including discussion and review articles as well as empirical investigations, to address theoretical and methodological issues, to convey current thinking in substantive areas, and to outline future directions. The AP issue has been designed to address topics of psychotherapy research that interface with the public domain as well as topics regarding knowledge utilization and training. The simultaneous publication of the two issues is intended to provide a unique resource for professionals interested in current research topics and their implications for the field and healthcare in general. In the development of the Special Issues, there was no intention to represent the field in terms of all or even most of the different orientations, approaches, and substantive positions. The Special Issues are designed to illustrate and sample the range of advances and current directions in research and to point to new areas as well. The articles that follow in this Special Issue address several specific areas of work from different segments of the field and convey major directions in contemporary research, new methodologies, and reformulations of major questions about processes and outcomes of treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Changes in research productivity in counseling psychology: Revisiting Howard (1983) a decade later.

Institutional research productivity in counseling psychology was reassessed by totaling credits for articles published for the years 1983–1992 in the following counseling-related journals: Journal of Counseling Psychology, The Counseling Psychologist, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Journal of Vocational Behavior, and Journal of Counseling and Development. A number of programs made substantial jumps into the institutions ranked in the top 40. High intercorrelations among the 5 journals suggest the presence of an underlying research productivity factor, and program quality is discussed in the light of these results. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An approach to psychotherapy change process research: Introduction to the special section.

This special section has a dual focus. One is on psychotherapy change research. The other is to explicate an approach to develop a program of research that builds on 2 aspects of scientific discovery: decomposition of observed phenomena and localization of specific elements that may combine to produce a complex whole. These aspects are considered within an ordered framework of 8 steps in the development and testing of a model, moving from discovery to model construction, validation, and prediction of complex outcomes. Studies on psychotherapy change processes were selected, after a masked review, to represent different levels in developing a program of research. Although it is argued that the early steps of decomposition and localization are important when developing a program of research, current editorial practices in first-tier journals, including the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, typically consider this type of study to be too preliminary for a scientific archival journal. Should this practice be revisited? (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to the special section on cognitive processes and psychotherapy.

Theoretical models featuring cognitive processes have played a fundamental role in advancing knowledge of psychopathology and its treatment and have emphasized the importance of cognition in psychotherapy. Recognition of the importance of cognition in psychotherapy has led to a number of questions that are addressed by the articles in this special section of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Cognitive therapy is well represented in the articles in this special section, but therapeutic procedures that do not represent typical cognitive therapy are also examined. The articles in this special section focus on homework in the modification of cognition, cognition in the treatment of anxiety in adults and in children, change in depressive cognitions in children, cognition and rapid change in the treatment of depression, and the role of cognition in the treatment and prevention of depression that is recurrent. Examination of these types of questions holds the possibility of advances in existing treatments and the possibility of innovations in new treatments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Correction to Mahoney et al. (2008).

Reports an error in "Content analysis of Consulting psychology journal: Practice and research (Volumes 44-59)" by Kevin T. Mahoney, Walter C. Buboltz Jr., Barlow Soper, Dennis Doverspike and Byron J. Simoneaux (Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 2008[Sep], Vol 60[3], 246-258). The title of the journal was printed incorrectly on page 257 as "Counseling Psychology Journal: Practice and Research." The correct title of the journal is Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2008-11542-002.) A content analysis of articles published in Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research was performed from 1992 (Vol. 44) through 2007 (Vol. 59). A total of 342 articles were categorized into 21 derived content categories and an "Other" category. Results show that the leading categories for publication were Coaching, Development and Training, and History of Consulting. The content was fairly stable over time. The journal does appear to be meeting its primary mission of disseminating information pertinent to the field of consulting psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to the special section on measuring cognitive products in research and practice.

This article introduces a special section of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology titled "Measuring Cognitive Products in Research and Practice." The practice of cognitive behavior therapies—and research on their effectiveness and the validity of the models of psychopathology and therapy associated with these treatments—requires valid assessment of cognition. Cognitive variables can be considered at several levels; the main focus of the articles in this special section is on techniques suited to measurement of cognitive products, thoughts, and images of which people are conscious. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Institutional sources of articles in the "Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology": 1951-1968.

Reviewed the institutional affiliations of authors who have published articles in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology from 1951-1968. The Veterans Administration emerged as the leading institutional producer of articles in this period. Results suggest that the major university force in publication is found in the midwest, although no 1 institution or related set of institutions dominated the clinical research. Implications about the role and nature of midwestern clinical programs and American Psychological Association-approved programs in general in this pattern are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Content analysis of Consulting psychology journal: Practice and research (Volumes 44-59).

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 60(4) of Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research (see record 2008-17523-003). The title of the journal was printed incorrectly on page 257 as "Counseling Psychology Journal: Practice and Research." The correct title of the journal is Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research.] A content analysis of articles published in Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research was performed from 1992 (Vol. 44) through 2007 (Vol. 59). A total of 342 articles were categorized into 21 derived content categories and an "Other" category. Results show that the leading categories for publication were Coaching, Development and Training, and History of Consulting. The content was fairly stable over time. The journal does appear to be meeting its primary mission of disseminating information pertinent to the field of consulting psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Introduction to the special section on the development of theoretically coherent alternatives to the DSM system.

This introduction outlines a series of articles in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology that represent a theoretically organized challenge to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM; e.g., 4th ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 1994). A criticism of the DSM is offered on the basis that a taxonomy based on inadequately explicated theory has not been and cannot be a successful basis for a scientific research program. The special section offers examples of behaviorally based alternative ways of understanding behavior of clinical interest. Others are invited to develop taxonomies based on different theoretically coherent foundations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Trends in psychotherapy process research: Samples, measures, researchers, and classic publications.

Psychotherapy studies published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology (JCP) and the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (JCCP) between 1978 and 1992 were examined. Differences were found between the 2 journals. JCP published mostly process, outcome, and analog research, whereas JCCP published mostly outcome research. Most process and process-outcome studies across journals were of individual, brief therapy. Across the years, more diversity was evident in samples used in process research in terms of student status, gender, and race of clients and therapists. Three content areas were prominent in the process measures and classic studies: therapist techniques, therapist influence, and facilitative conditions. Lists are provided of the frequently used measures, most productive authors, and classic studies in process research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotherapy outcome and quality improvement: Introduction to the special section on patient-focused research.

This article introduces the special section of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology on patient-focused research for improving the outcome of psychological therapies. After a discussion of the context, promise, and problems associated with this research domain, an overview of the contributions is offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Commentary: Progress and problems in the cognitive approach to clinical child psychology.

Comments on articles included in the special section "Meta-analysis and Psychotherapy" in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Problems related to preventive programs are discussed in light of the finding that early development in childhood tends to be fluid in many instances rather than fixed. Difficulties in accounting for psychopathology in terms of cognitive variables and developmental delay are presented. Advantages and disadvantages of having diverse approaches to cognition are noted. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Editorial.

Along with the new teal cover, the current issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (JCCP) marks the transition of the journal to a new editorial team. Although the discipline of clinical psychology has a diversity of fine journals, JCCP has long been regarded as a premier journal for publishing high-quality, empirical work in clinical psychology. The intention of the new editorial team is to continue the long-established tradition of excellence for JCCP and to ensure its ongoing influence and responsiveness to important innovations and new directions in contemporary clinical psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clinical utility rankings of neuropsychologically related journals.

Surveyed designated neurologists of 60 graduate psychology departments and internship training programs to examine the relative importance of 22 journals to the field of clinical neuropsychology. The Journal of Clinical Neuropsychology, the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, and Clinical Neuropsychology were judged the most clinically useful. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Tabulation of Inferential Statistics Used in Psychology Journals.

Every year thousands of psychology students take courses in statistics. In spite of the importance attributed to statistics, there is no available tabulation of the usage of various statistics in the psychological literature to show what the student needs to know in order to interpret the literature and to show what statistics psychologists have found useful. This report presents such a tabulation. To allow comparisons between the statistics used in different fields of psychology, the journals examined were the APA journals that specialize in particular fields of psychology: Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, Journal of Consulting Psychology, Journal of Educational Psychology, and Journal of Experimental Psychology. Tabulations were made of the inferential statistics used in articles in these journals for the even-numbered years from 1948 to 1962, inclusive. The use of a particular type of statistical technique was recorded only once for each article, no matter how many times that technique was used in the article. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)