Ideology and crime control.

Replies to comments by T. P. O'Brien and D. J. Jones (see record 1999-11125-011) and C. B. Clements (see record 1999-11125-012) regarding the Haney and P. Zimbardo (see record 1998-04417-001) discussion of changing trends in US prison policy. The author applauds O'Brien and Jones's willingness to join in the political discussion regarding prison policies, but he disagrees with their historical account of decreases in crime rates resulting from increased punitiveness. Haney also expresses concerns about the authors' insistence that research should be conducted and presented in ways that are accepted by all sides of the political community. Haney also agrees with Clements that elective officials exploit crime issues for political purposes. Haney believes that psychological informed perspectives, based on data and professional experiences and not anecdotes of ideology, are needed to break an irrational cycle, regardless of whether "all sides" of the political community agree with their implications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dialectical responses to questions about dialectical thinking.

Responds to comments by S. F. Chan (see record 2000-05933-017), D. Y. F. Ho (see record 2000-05933-018), and Y.-T. Lee (see record 2000-05933-019) on the article by K. Peng and R. E. Nisbett (see record 1999-11125-001) that made a number of assertions that reveal problems in logic and argumentation. In their studies, Peng and Nisbett found that Chinese tended to like dialectical proverbs and social resolution better than did Americans, and Chinese tended to prefer dialectical arguments over classic Western logical arguments. In the current article, Peng and Nisbett defend their work against criticisms made by the aforementioned authors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Internet–depression link?

Comments on the article by R. Kraut et al (see record 1998-10886-001) regarding links between Internet use and depression. Rierdan expresses conceptual and analytic concerns about whether Kraut et al actually assessed depression in their study or whether they found a relationship between Internet use and "depression" as they assessed it. The author expresses concern regarding the range of scores for Kraut et al study participants on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and argues that the most valid interpretation of the scores is that the Ss in this study had low levels of distress. As a group, they were not depressed before or after the study. The author raises a second analytic issue regarding analytic techniques, arguing that effect sizes for the group were actually very small. The author suggests that the finding of an association between Internet use and distress has few implications for public policy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Narrow view of attachment or broad view of protection? Rejoinder to the commentaries.

The authors address 3 general issues raised by the commentaries on S. Goldberg, J. E. Grusec, and J. M. Jenkins (see record 1999-15264-001) by J. Braungart-Rieker and J. Karrass (see record 1999-15264-003), S. Dickstein (see record 1999-15264-002), R. Isabella (see record 1999-15264-006), K. MacDonald (see record 1999-15264-004), and D. R. Pederson and G. Moran (see record 1999-15264-005). (a) In response to questions regarding the nature of protection, they outline a definition consistent with J. Bowlby's (1969) that extends beyond predation and survival to include protection in times of illness, injury, and emotional distress; (b) they argue that protective needs extend well beyond infancy into adulthood and are relevant to a lifespan perspective on attachment; and (c) the challenges of differentiating aspects of relationships are discussed, and the significance of a narrow definition of attachment in such efforts is emphasized. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Whither the Rorschach? An analysis of the evidence.

In the previous Special Section, the authors presented empirical evidence and logical analysis that were sufficient to demonstrate that the widespread use of the Rorschach in clinical, legal, forensic, and occupational settings is unwarranted on both scientific and ethical grounds (J. Hunsley and J. M. Bailey, see record 1999-11130-004). To expand on their analysis and to respond to issues raised in the previous and current Special Sections, they begin their article by examining a number of conceptual issues that are at the heart of the disagreements about the Rorschach. The focus is then shifted to the central issue of clinical utility, with an emphasis on why current research is insufficient to demonstrate the utility of the Rorschach. Next, the psychometric issues raised by I. B. Weiner (see record 2001-05665-002) are addressed and an alternative perspective on the psychometric viability of the Rorschach is provided. Finally, the authors conclude with some suggestions for future directions that must be taken in research to address the substantive concerns raised by Rorschach critics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Potential Role of Drug Onset Cues in Drug Dependence and Withdrawal: Reply to Bardo (2004), Bossert and Shaham (2004), Bouton (2004), and Stewart (2004).

In responding to commentaries (M. Bardo, see record 2004-10475-002; J. Bossert and Y. Shaham, see record 2004-10475-003; M. Bouton, see record 2004-10475-004; J. Stewart, see record 2004-10475-005) on their original article (see record 2004-10475-001), the authors agree that the basic mechanisms underlying intra-administration associations may be extensible to a much wider range of phenomena, including both other examinations of conditioned drug effects (e.g., conditioned place preference) and human psychological disorders. The authors also address the concerns of a number of the commenting authors regarding discrepancies in the literature concerning the effects of drug priming in both human and animal studies of reinstatement of drug self-administration. Finally, the authors accept and endorse the calls by several of these commenting authors for further studies required to generate additional support for their model of conditioned drug effects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Individual differences in judging deception: Reply to O'Sullivan (2008) and Pigott and Wu (2008).

C. F. Bond and B. M. DePaulo (see record 2008-08177-001) reported a quantitative synthesis of individual differences in judging deception. Here, the authors respond to a pair of commentaries on this synthesis: a statistical critique by T. D. Pigott and M. J. Wu (see record 2008-08177-003)and a narrative reaction by M. O'Sullivan (see record 2008-08177-002). In response to suggestions made by Pigott and Wu, the authors conduct several alternative analyses of individual differences in judging deception. Without exception, these yield results similar to those that the authors reported earlier. In response to O'Sullivan's questions, the authors point to their meta-analyses of relevant moderator variables. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Rigor, rigor mortis, and conspiratorial views of depression research.

The authors reassert the need for methodological changes in depression research appearing in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and other personality and social psychology journals. In this rejoinder the authors update their earlier literature review (H. Tennen, J. Hall, & G. Affleck; see record 1995-31710-001) and respond to the commentaries by P C. Kendall and E. C. Flannery-Schroeder (see record 1995-31700-001) and G. Weary, J. A. Edwards, and J. A. Jacobson (see record 1995-31713-001). The authors notice that G. Weary et al.'s own findings demonstrate the need to change how depression is measured and participants are assigned to experimental groups. The authors also challenge G. Weary et al.'s contention that structured interviews are limited because they require interviewer judgments, and they urge personality and social psychologists to learn more about these interviews. Finally, G. Weary et al.'s suspicion that depression research guidelines reflect professional parochialism is disputed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Happiness, flow, and economic equality.

Replies to comments by D. Belle et al (see record 2000-02781-018), S. Reiss (see record 2000-02781-019), T. B. Smith (see record 2000-02781-020), and J. R. Sink (see record 2000-02781-021) on the article by M. Csikszentmihalyi (see record 1999-11644-003) on materialism and the flow experience as an explanation of happiness. Csikszentmihalyi addresses the concerns of each author. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

SPA is subliminal, but is it psychodynamically activating?

Responds to comments by J. Weinberger (see record 1990-04808-001) on Balay and Shevrin's (B&S; see record 1988-20203-001) work on the subliminal psychodynamic activation (SPA) method, which, contrary to Weinberger's assertion, was not an attempt to destroy the work of L. H. Silverman (published 1974–1985) and others who have used the SPA method. Rather, B&S hoped to encourage investigators using this method to take a closer look at the theoretical assumptions underlying SPA (i.e., the generic vs specific nature of subliminal stimuli that might activate conflict-related, unconscious fantasies). Analyses are also offered of comments made by T. E. Moore (see record 1990-04745-001), M. D. Figueroa (see record 1990-04666-001), and D. K. Silverman (see record 1990-04785-001). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Meta-analytic methods, the Rorschach, and the MMPI.

In response to concerns described by H. N. Garb et al(see record 2001-05665-003), the authors present the weighted and unweighted means and medians of the effect sizes obtained by J. B. Hiller et al (see record 1999-11130-005). These indices of central tendency are presented separately for MMPI and Rorschach effect sizes, both for all the studies in the meta-analysis and for a 10% trimmed sample designed to obtain more robust estimates of central tendency. The variability of these 4 indices is noticeably greater for the MMPI than for the Rorschach. Meta-analysts must compute, compare, and evaluate a variety of indices of central tendency, and they must examine the effects of moderator variables. The authors also comment briefly on the use of phi versus kappa, combining correlated effect sizes and possible hindsight biases. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stroop theory, memory, and prefrontal cortical functioning: Reply to Cohen et al. (1997).

In this article, the authors respond to J. D. Cohen, K. O. Dunbar, D. M. Barch and T. S. Braver's (see record 1997-02838-005) comment on their target article (see record 1997-02838-004). The present article (a) takes issue with the characterization given by Cohen et al. of the authors' approach as a classical speed-of-processing account of Stroop effects, (b) discusses the value and relevance of other theoretical concepts, such as traditional accounts of working memory and parallel distributed processing (PDP) approaches to Stroop effects, (c) further examines the possibility that the differences the authors observed in Experiment 2 between normal participants' performance and that of participants with schizophrenia may have been due to distractor stimulus degradation, particularly for participants with schizophrenia, and (d) argues for the relevance of the prefrontal cortex, as well as other brain areas, in accounting for their results. The authors conclude with a final theoretical question. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reconciling the complexity of human development with the reality of legal policy: Reply to Fischer, Stein, and Heikkinen (2009).

The authors respond to both the general and specific concerns raised in Fischer, Stein, and Heikkinen’s (see record 2009-18110-002) commentary on their article (Steinberg, Cauffman, Woolard, Graham, & Banich) (see record 2009-18110-001), in which they drew on studies of adolescent development to justify the American Psychological Association’s positions in two Supreme Court cases involving the construction of legal age boundaries. In response to Fischer et al.’s general concern that the construction of bright-line age boundaries is inconsistent with the fact that development is multifaceted, variable across individuals, and contextually conditioned, the authors argue that the only logical alternative suggested by that perspective is impractical and unhelpful in a legal context. In response to Fischer et al.’s specific concerns that their conclusion about the differential timetables of cognitive and psychosocial maturity is merely an artifact of the variables, measures, and methods they used, the authors argue that, unlike the alternatives suggested by Fischer et al., their choices are aligned with the specific capacities under consideration in the two cases. The authors reaffirm their position that there is considerable empirical evidence that adolescents demonstrate adult levels of cognitive capability several years before they evince adult levels of psychosocial maturity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Planting a tree while envisioning the forest--The recursive relation between theory and research: Reply to Blustein (2003).

In his comments regarding D. M. Tokar, J. R. Withrow, R. J. Hall, and B. Moradi's (see record 2002-08430-002) article, "Psychological Separation, Attachment Security, Vocational Self-Concept Crystallization, and Career Indecision: A Structural Equation Analysis," D. L. Blustein (see record 2002-08430-003) offered several useful suggestions for future research in the area of relationship variables and career development and also raised several concerns about Tokar et al's rationale for and use of structural equation modeling in testing their models. In this reply, the authors note points of agreement with Blustein and respond to comments with which they disagree. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An alternative interpretation of oneness.

Comments on L. H. Silverman and J. Weinberger's (see record 1986-15022-001) interpretation of their data as supporting the concept that subliminally induced gratification of wishes can enhance adaptation in both schizophrenic (SCZ) and non-SCZ individuals. This interpretation was strongly biased by Silverman and Weinberger's original intent. An alternative interpretation of their data is proposed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The internet and relational theory.

Comments on the article by R. Kraut et al (see record 1998-10886-001) regarding the relationship of internet usage and social relationships, loneliness, and depression. Silverman notes that Kraut et al directed criticism to studies that reported positive findings regarding Internet usage on the grounds that they were anecdotal rather than empirical. The author argues that anecdotal evidence is usually the first step in setting up hypotheses that have empirical merit, and provides anecdotal evidence from members of a training institute on relational psychology who continued their dialog on line. The author argues that the Internet has given participants in the group a voice and an outlet to be heard and validated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Further comments toward a dimensional classification of personality disorder.

Responds to the comments by H. N. Garb (see record 2007-19520-012) and A. M. Ruscio (see record 2007-19520-013) on the current authors' original article "Plate tectonics in the classification of personality disorder: Shifting to a dimensional model" (see record 2007-01685-001). Unable to respond to all of Garb's and Ruscio's concerns given space limitations, the current authors attempt to respond to key points regarding their article on integrating the classification of personality disorder with a dimensional model of general personality structure. These points include: clinical judgments; feasibility; communication; thresholds; and validity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The ethics of asking about abuse and the harm of "don't ask, don't tell."

Replies to comments by J. Read (see record 2007-07130-012), D. Gleaves et al (see record 2007-07130-013), V. Edwards et al (see record 2007-07130-014), M. Black and R. Black (see record 2007-07130-015), and S. Ullman (see record 2007-07130-016), which raised important points about the authors' original article (see record 2006-03947-003). Those comments extend our thinking about how to ask participants about abuse in an ethical way. Together, the comments point to the importance of researchers examining our own reasons for asking--or not asking--about abuse and of paying attention to how we respond when we ask. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

No easy solution to subgroup differences.

Replies to comments by A. G. Bedeian (see record 2002-12457-016), G. Bocknek (see record 2002-12457-017), G. E. Zuriff (see record 2002-12457-018), and J. E. Helms (see record 2002-12457-019) on the article by P. R. Sackett, N. Schmitt, J. E. Ellingson, and M. B. Kabin (see record 2001-00625-002) which posed the dilemma of how to use tests to select for performance without excluding minority group members. The authors argue that it is difficult to envision a university that would ignore cognitive ability when making admissions decisions, as Zuriff advocated. In response to Bocknek, the authors question the validity of individual assessments to index traits such as motivation, perseverance, and problem solving. In response to Bedeian, the authors argue that society and the legal system (as it exists now) force the consideration of ascribed characteristics, and few, if any, good measures of racial identity (or intellectual diversity) exist. Finally, the authors argue that Helm's position that individuals' racial identity must be destroyed in the interest of raising their status in high-stakes testing situation is misguided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Work to reduce stigma.

Comments on the article by P. W. Corrigan and D. L. Penn (see record 1999-11125-003) that presented strategies for diminishing the impact of stigma on persons with severe mental illness. These strategies include protest, education, and promoting contact between the general public and persons with these disorders. In this article, they argue that social psychological research on ethnic minority and other group stereotypes should be considered when implementing these strategies. The authors of the present article offer praise and confirmatory evidence for Corrigan and Penn's suggestions, and add their observation that participating in meaningful work experience may also help people with mental illness cope with stereotypes regarding their illness, improve their quality of life, and increase their self-esteem. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)