Charles Darwin and psychology at the bicentennial and sesquicentennial: An introduction.

This article provides an introduction to the special issue on Darwin and psychology at the bicentennial of his birth and the sesquicentennial of his publication of On the Origin of Species. His core contributions, as viewed today, were his theory of natural selection, his naturalistic philosophy, and his mass of evidence for evolutionary change. A brief summary of Darwin's life is also presented. Among Darwin's contributions to psychology were his demonstration of the continuity of species, a model for the study of instinct, a book on the expression of the emotions, and a baby biography. Previous celebrations of Darwin and the changing perceptions of his work since its publication are described. Darwin's theory remains an important part of psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The problem with a Darwinian view of humanity.

Comments on the special issue on Charles Darwin and psychology (Dewsbury, February–March 2009) (see record 2009-01602-013), in which the authors present evidence supporting the validity of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution and how generations of psychologists have viewed the natural world through its light, taking Darwinian theories for granted as being a literal interpretation of the origins of species and attempting to make human nature conform to the picture of evolution as Darwin conceived it. In certain terms, Darwinian evolutionary theory, as conventionally held, has played an important negative role in present world conditions. There is no possibility of spiritual survival as far as evolutionary theory is concerned, because evolutionary Darwinian man and woman are not created with souls. All psychological activity is scaled down in between life and death. Death becomes an affront to life and comes to imply a certain kind of weakness, for is it not said that only the strong survive? Unfortunately, there are just not many good alternative theories to choose from. From the point of view of a transpersonal psychologist, however, Darwin’s theory ignores too much. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Darwin’s eclipse concerned function versus mechanism.

Comments on a article by Dewsbury (February–March 2009) (see record 2009-01602-013) in which he stated, “Darwin provided a viable mechanism for evolutionary change, natural selection” (p. 67). Although this view is consistent with the modern synthesis, the author argues that (a) the natural selection “mechanism” provided by Darwin was not initially accepted by scientists because (b) natural selection is a functional explanation, and functional explanations are always incomplete because they describe how things work but not why they work; that is, they lack mechanism information. This explanatory deficiency led to what Bowler (1983), uncited by Dewsbury (2009), described (in a book of the same name) as “The eclipse of Darwinism,” the initial rejection of natural selection by most scientists. The importance of the distinction the author is making between functional explanations and mechanism information for the future of psychology is that efforts to advance psychological science by clarifying causal mechanisms must first understand how mechanism explanations differ from functional explanations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The great struggles of life: Darwin and the emergence of evolutionary psychology.

Darwin envisioned a scientific revolution for psychology. His theories of natural and sexual selection identified two classes of struggles--the struggle for existence and the struggle for mates. The emergence of evolutionary psychology and related disciplines signals the fulfillment of Darwin's vision. Natural selection theory guides scientists to discover adaptations for survival. Sexual selection theory illuminates the sexual struggle, highlighting mate choice and same-sex competition adaptations. Theoretical developments since publication of On the Origin of Species identify important struggles unknown to Darwin, notably, within-families conflicts and conflict between the sexes. Evolutionary psychology synthesizes modern evolutionary biology and psychology to penetrate some of life's deep mysteries: Why do many struggles center around sex? Why is social conflict pervasive? And what are the mechanisms of mind that define human nature? (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Darwin's legacy to comparative psychology and ethology.

Charles Darwin made numerous seminal contributions to the study of animal behavior over his long career. This essay places these contributions in the context of Darwin's life, showing his long-standing interest in psychological and behavioral issues encompassing all species, including humans. Ten areas are highlighted: natural history; communication; sexual selection and courtship; comparative cognition; emotion; instinct and behavioral development; inheritance of behavior; phylogeny of behavior; sociobiology and behavioral ecology; and applied animal behavior, animal welfare, and conservation. Several newer emphases that Darwin anticipated are briefly discussed. Darwin, while not always correct by current standards, crucially aided the process of firmly embedding psychological phenomena in a naturalistic scientific ethos. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Origin and evolution of the term "psychology."

Presents a historical review of the term "psychology." It is noted that while the word contains Greek elements, it does not have origins in Greek antiquity. This study suggests that the word originated in the 16th century "to refer to 1 aspect of spiritual being" and was 1st used as a title of academic lectures by Philipp Melanchton (1497-1560). Further development of the term through the mid-19th century is presented, including a table providing a chronology from Melanchton through Herbert Spencer's "Principles of Psychology" (1855). (25 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Distinguished scientific award for the application of psychology: Charles R. Schuster.

The Distinguished Scientific Award for the Applications of Psychology is presented to a person who has made distinguished theoretical or empirical advances leading to the understanding or amelioration of important practical problems. The 1992 winner is Charles R. Schuster. Schuster was chosen for outstanding contributions and leadership in behavioral pharmacology and drug abuse research. He creatively applied concepts and methods from the experimental analysis of behavior to the study of drugs of abuse and was a pioneer in the use of human subjects for behavioral pharmacology research. In addition, his innovative studies of tolerance led to a worldwide appreciation for the role of learning in adaption to repeated drug use. A biography for Schuster is presented, along with a selected bibliography of his work. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

More on conceptualizing community psychology.

Responds to comments of D. S. Glenwick (1979) on L. D. Goodstein and I. Sandler's (see record 1979-22507-001) conceptual analysis of community psychology (CP). Topics covered include the role of program evaluation, multidisciplinary knowledge, and the drawing of boundaries between CP and related fields. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Four routes of cognitive evolution.

Four routes of cognitive evolution are distinguished: phylogenetic construction, in which natural selection produces qualitative change to the way a cognitive mechanism operates (language); phylogenetic inflection, in which natural selection biases the input to a cognitive mechanism (imprinting and spatial memory); ontogenetic construction, in which developmental selection alters the way a cognitive mechanism operates (face recognition and theory of mind); and ontogenetic inflection, in which developmental selection changes the input to a cognitive mechanism (imitation). This framework integrates findings from evolutionary psychology (i.e., all research on the evolution of mentality and behavior). In contrast with human nativist evolutionary psychology, it recognizes the adaptive significance of developmental processes, conserves the distinction between cognitive and noncognitive mechanisms, and encompasses research on human and nonhuman animals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Oversimplifying evolutionary psychology leads to explanatory gaps.

Comments on Evolutionary psychology: Controversies, questions, prospects, and limitations (see record 2010-02208-001) by Confer et al. They argued that SST cannot explain the existence of either homosexuality or suicide within the human species. We contend that a sufficiently nuanced evolutionary position has no difficulties explaining either phenomenon. Also in this account, it is assumed that all psychological functioning must serve survival and reproduction. However, since evolution selects against certain qualities (it does not select for qualities, as it is commonly, but incorrectly, described), two types of qualities should remain intact for any species: (a) those that facilitate survival and reproduction and (b) those that do not impede survival and reproduction at the population level. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

More on the psychology of false confessions.

Responds to comments by J. T. McCann (see record 1998-00122-001) and A. Reifman (see record 1998-00122-002) concerning S. M. Kassin's article (see record 1997-07781-003) on the psychology of false confessions. It is stated that these commentaries offer interesting perspectives with which to expand what is currently known about the psychology of confession evidence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Charles L. Brewer award for distinguished teaching of psychology.

The American Psychological Foundation (APF) Charles L. Brewer Distinguished Teaching of Psychology Award recognizes an outstanding career contribution to the teaching of psychology. The 2009 recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award is William Buskist. Dorothy W. Cantor, president of the APF, will present the APF Teaching Award at the 117th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association on August 7, 2009, at 4:00 p.m. Members of the 2009 APF Board of Trustees are Dorothy W. Cantor, president; William Howell, vice president/secretary; Archie L. Turner, treasurer; Elisabeth R. Straus, executive vice president/executive director; Norman Anderson; David H. Barlow; Camilla Benbow; Sharon Stephens Brehm; Charles L. Brewer; Anthony Jackson; Steven E. James; Ronald F. Levant; Gerald Koocher; Sandra Shullman; and Rosie Phillips Bingham, APA Board of Directors liaison. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evolutionary psychology: Controversies, questions, prospects, and limitations.

Evolutionary psychology has emerged over the past 15 years as a major theoretical perspective, generating an increasing volume of empirical studies and assuming a larger presence within psychological science. At the same time, it has generated critiques and remains controversial among some psychologists. Some of the controversy stems from hypotheses that go against traditional psychological theories; some from empirical findings that may have disturbing implications; some from misunderstandings about the logic of evolutionary psychology; and some from reasonable scientific concerns about its underlying framework. This article identifies some of the most common concerns and attempts to elucidate evolutionary psychology’s stance pertaining to them. These include issues of testability and falsifiability; the domain specificity versus domain generality of psychological mechanisms; the role of novel environments as they interact with evolved psychological circuits; the role of genes in the conceptual structure of evolutionary psychology; the roles of learning, socialization, and culture in evolutionary psychology; and the practical value of applied evolutionary psychology. The article concludes with a discussion of the limitations of current evolutionary psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Distinguished teaching in psychology award: Charles L. Brewer.

Presents the citation and biography for Charles L. Brewer, recipient of the American Psychological Association's Distinguished Teaching in Psychology Award. The Distinguished Teaching in Psychology Award, which includes a check for $1,000, is given to the recipient for his or her contributions to the teaching of psychology. The following guidelines are used to determine the recipient: (a) demonstrated influence as a teacher of students who become outstanding psychologists, (b) development of effective teaching methods and/or teaching materials, (c) engagement in significant research on teaching, (d) development of innovative curricula and courses, (e) outstanding performance as a classroom teacher, (f) being an especially effective trainer of teachers of psychology, and (g) being responsible for administrative facilitation of outstanding teaching. The recipient is selected by the APF Teaching Award Committee from nominations submitted at large. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Diversifying consulting psychology for the future.

The growth of new and atypical consulting psychology practices described in this integration of the articles in Finkelman’s (2010c) special issue, New and Emerging Practices in Consulting Psychology, exemplifies the dynamic change taking place in consulting and underscores the need for consultants to diversify their practices to keep the discipline vibrant, growing, and relevant for clients. Consultants must continually add new techniques to their complement of interventions and sharpen their focus to help their clients respond to a changing and increasingly challenging environment. Psychologists’ evolving roles as consultants are maximizing their ability to function as “experts in behavior” who apply unique knowledge and skills to address emerging client needs. The evolution of consulting practices of psychologists as experts in behavior is captured by the diverse array of consulting activities in this special issue. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evolution, emotions, and emotional disorders.

Emotions research is now routinely grounded in evolution, but explicit evolutionary analyses of emotions remain rare. This article considers the implications of natural selection for several classic questions about emotions and emotional disorders. Emotions are special modes of operation shaped by natural selection. They adjust multiple response parameters in ways that have increased fitness in adaptively challenging situations that recurred over the course of evolution. They are valenced because selection shapes special processes for situations that have influenced fitness in the past. In situations that decrease fitness, negative emotions are useful and positive emotions are harmful. Selection has partially differentiated subtypes of emotions from generic precursor states to deal with specialized situations. This has resulted in untidy emotions that blur into each other on dozens of dimensions, rendering the quest for simple categorically distinct emotions futile. Selection has shaped flexible mechanisms that control the expression of emotions on the basis of an individual's appraisal of the meaning of events for his or her ability to reach personal goals. The prevalence of emotional disorders can be attributed to several evolutionary factors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An Historical Note on Darwin and Nonhuman Drug Self-Administration.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 12(1) of Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology (see record 2007-16877-001). It is noted that Charles R. Schuster served as the Action Editor for this article.] This note brings to the attention of readers a quote from Charles Darwin on the scientific implications of nonhuman drug self-administration. The quote is from The Descent of Man; and Selection in Relation to Sex (2nd ed.; C. Darwin, 1874/1998). Consistent with Darwin's prescience in many areas of science, he discerned potential scientific importance in voluntary nonhuman drug self-administration almost a century before that potential was realized in any substantive or systematic manner. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The psychology of the altruist.

Some findings from the intensive case studies of five persons devoting their lives to humanitarian concerns are reported. Psychoanalytic interviewing, projective data, and personal material from the subjects suggested similarities in the inferred unconscious sources of their characterological altruism. The subjects' personas were characterized by helpfulness, sociophilia, and positive affect. Their central defenses included compulsivity, identification with the victim, and reversal. Their dynamics included the management of unconscious guilt or shame about hostility and greed. The inferred genetics of these dymanics included good-enough nurturance in the symbiotic phase of development; the loss of availability of the mothering object between the ages of two and three; and the timely intervention of an altruistic substitute figure, in the context of a subculture giving religious expression to the value of benevolence. These observations are related to pertinent studies on altruism in the literatures of psychoanalysis and academic psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

More on Professional Schools.

Provides additional information relevant to an article by the current authors (see record 1978-04088-001) that described the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP), with some historical notes on the professional school movement. This article notes the many "firsts" in this new movement, including developments at Adelphi University, the University of Montreal's Institute of Psychology, the University of Denver School of Professional Psychology, and the South Florida School of Professional Psychology in addition to California School of Professional Psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Theory and philosophy in the psychology of the arts.

Philosophy, historically at least, has played a large role in aesthetics, for philosophical aesthetics dates back to Aristotle's Poetics, and has attracted the attention of such notable thinkers as Kant, Dewey, Santayana, and Croce. Nonetheless, if I had to identify the philosophical foundation of most empirical astheticians, hedonism emerges as the clear winner. That is, researchers who study why people appreciate art subscribe to the pleasure theory of aesthetics. On the theoretical side, psychology of the arts is also richly endowed. Great names from psychology's past, such as Fechner, Wundt, and Freud—all have expressed views about the foundations of the aesthetic experience. Many of these early traditions survive in some form in current empirical research. At this point, the enthusiasm for cognitive science in general psychology has yet to filter down to empirical aesthetics in any conspicuous fashion, albeit some researchers (e.g., Martin Lindauer) would consider themselves cognitive psychologists. Perhaps the aesthetic experience is too innovative to fit readily in a cognitive framework. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)