Applied psychology in action: Psychological research in personnel administration.

Industrial management has undoubtedly been skeptical about the value of the personnel psychologist as a direct part of its operations payrolled as its job evaluation, training, organization and methods and other functions are. Yet a large number and variety of management problems can be attacked by the application of the specialized skills of the research psychologist. And in most cases not only can they provide the most valid solutions and recommendations but can do this in a manner which will please even the most practical administrator. To do this, it seems important for the research psychologist to be close enough to the management and operations of the organization so that he can sense needs for research in day-to-day problems. And he can make acceptable recommendations for application of research results in the same setting. The possibilities for success are greater, of course, where the relationship between administrator and psychologist is a close and continuing one. The Civilian Personnel Research Branch (CPRB) of the U. S. Air Force Headquarters is in the fortunate position of approximating this ideal. This Branch conducts psychological research originating from everyday problems of the civilian personnel program of the Air Force. The author concludes that staffing with personnel specifically trained for such work pays dividends, if in no other way than in making such research sufficiently sound to assure management that the conclusions may be applied with confidence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Applied training programmes of psychology in Canada: A survey.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 12(2) of Canadian Psychologist Psychologie Canadienne (see record 2007-02141-045). Page 49 contains an error regarding the available staff for applied training programs at the University of Victoria. The correct figure under column 7 (staff, full-time, psychology) should not be 40. Instead the correct figure for 1971-72 should be 11; under "staff, other departments", 4 should be listed; under "staff, part-time", 1 should be listed; under "staff in applied settings", 3 should be listed.] A survey of professional applied training programmes in the Canadian universities was carried out in 1969. Reported were 29 programmes: 17 in clinical psychology, 4 each in counselling and school psychology, one each in educational psychology and learning disabilities and 2 in experimental psychopathology. The number of places in the universities was related to the expected manpower requirements. Information was also given concerning the numbers of teachers in each programme, the types of applied settings utilized, and the different courses offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Canadian psychology: Some social and applied emphases.

Recent concern with national identity has motivated an examination of possible relationships between features of Canadian society and the nature of applied and social Psychology. Experience with the production of a bibliography and book of readings in this area provided the background, necessary for a detailed discussion of the issues. A matrix of research questions was elaborated by crossing some special features of social and cultural life in Canada with the sub-disciplines of Social, Clinical, Educational and Work Psychology. It was concluded that there could be "a Canadian Psychology" in these social and applied areas, but that considerable effort is required before it is attained. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of An objective psychology of music.

Reviews the book An objective psychology of music by (see record 1954-00590-000). The reviewer notes that this book is a noteworthy addition to the psychology of music, especially for classroom use with the undergraduate student. Its style is clear and simple, its coverage is unusually comprehensive, and its range is wide. It will truly facilitate the learning process for the student, an advantage which has often been lacking in this field. The psychology of music demands an understanding of two very different disciplines, one of them a science, the other an art. The vocabulary and style employed by the artist has often proved baffling to the scientist, and vice versa. Lundin has shown a special talent as an interpreter, and has made his material thoroughly clear to both. His occasional oversimplifications will prove justifiable in terms of the student who seeks competency in two fields. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Applied psychology in action: Reply to Dr. Wells and to miss Epstein.

Comments on an article by F. L. Wells titled Comment on word meaning (1954) and an article by Mary Epstein titled A note on "the non-directive approach in advertising appeals' (1954); both of these articles comment on the current author's original article (see record 1955-01709-001). The author notes that Dr. Wells is correct in his analysis; the author should have used credulity in his original article. As for Epstein's comments, she is somewhat correct when she says that the non-interference principle is not applicable to advertising. If there were no "interference," there would be no selling. However, doesn't a patient have an attitude towards the therapist at the end of the sessions? Actually, there is no pure example of inferred advertising. In the end, it is the atmosphere created by the advertisement that is important. Direct-inferred, directive-nondirective, are more logical constructs than useful tools. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The cultural psychology of the self.

Reviews the book, The cultural psychology of the self by Ciaran Benson (see record 2001-00374-000). This is a book rich in insight, deep in significance and, inevitably, marked by assumptions and interpretations subject to gentle disagreement. It is precisely because of its manifest assets that points of disagreement need to be highlighted. In this review I will address criticism only to the first half of the book, the criticism being more by way of an introduction to the issue than the suggestion of a settled position on it. I confine criticism to the first half not because of limited space. Rather, the foundational chapters on which the balance of the book's arguments depend are given in Part I. Part II then stands as an elevated and elevating "applied psychology of the self" resting on these very substantive and theoretical foundations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Identifying, obtaining, and completing a predoctoral psychology internship: Research considerations.

The quality of clinical training is a critical factor to consider when selecting a psychology predoctoral internship placement. Yet, research activities are also an integral part of a scientist-practitioner training model. Pursuit of ongoing research training during an internship can impact an individual's professional development and productivity, both during the internship year and beyond. Although many published resources have outlined the steps to obtaining a predoctoral internship, few sources have offered adequate consideration of research goals and training. To address this gap in the existing literature, the present article offers a discussion of research issues relevant to the process of identifying, securing, and completing a predoctoral internship in applied psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Toward a truly international psychology: Beyond English only.

It is contended that the development of a truly international psychology is obstructed at this point by the massive disregard of contributions that are published in languages other than English. The role of English as a mutually agreed-on principal medium of international communication in psychology is endorsed. At the same time, 11 suggestions are presented to overcome the linguistic isolation from the communities of psychologists in which languages other than English are used to disseminate findings and conceptions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Canadian counselling psychologists' contributions to applied psychology.

The goal of this paper is to draw attention to the contributions of Canadian counselling psychologists in three key areas central to the discipline: (a) multiculturalism, social justice, and advocacy; (b) health, wellness, and prevention, and (c) career psychology. Accordingly, we have situated our discussion within a historical framework of the discipline followed by a discussion of the Canadian context, definitions, and specific contributions. Finally, we offer a summary of the strengths and current challenges faced by Canadian counselling psychologists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Need for Experimental Evidence in Applied Psychology.

Article on the experimental evidence in applied psychology. It seems to the writer that applied psychologists must forego the understandable temptation to supply answers which are not based on solid experimental findings. If such a position were adopted there would be little difficulty in pointing out to the general public the difference between scientifically accepted psychological facts and common-sense opinions. While limiting ourselves to experimentally verified conclusions may temporarily restrict our sphere of operations, the alternative would seem to be the relegation of applied psychology to the limbo of astrology, numerology, etc. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

American psychology is becoming more international.

Comments on an article by J. J. Arnett (see record 2008-14338-003) regarding the assertion that American psychology focuses too narrowly on Americans while neglecting the other 95% of the world’s population. The authors argue that while Arnett’s assessment was poignant, and his call for a more inclusive, international, and cross-cultural representation in American psychology was timely and admirable; they present data that show substantial progress has been made over the last 30 years, and we conclude that major APA journals are already becoming representative of the world’s research psychologists in some respects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Symposium on reciprocal influences in international psychology.

"The question of reciprocal influences was considered in terms of the number and distribution of psychologists throughout the world… . It was quickly conceded that, at present, influences in international psychology are not reciprocal and, perhaps, cannot be for some time to come. This problem is complicated not only by the sheer preponderance and resources of American psychology, but also by a general tendency to ignore attainments abroad, unless conveniently published in readily available English-language journals." Psychology "is an international science, to which psychologists everywhere can and do contribute… . We share a common enterprise with common goals and aspirations." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The first international symposium on military psychology.

"A new note in international cooperation was sounded in the convening, on two days just preceding the Brussels Congress, of the first International Symposium on Military Psychology. About 200 psychologists from 15 European countries, the Near East, Canada, and the United States met, on July 26-27, at the Palais des Academies, Brussels, in a five-session program of invited papers ranging freely over the content of military psychology. Planning for the symposium had begun at a meeting, held in February 1956, of the Committee on International Relations in Psychology of the United States National Research Council (H. S. Langfeld, Chairman)… . Of the 16 papers distributed over the four daytime sessions… four were from the United Kingdom, three from the United States, two from France, and one each from Belgium, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden… . A fifth session held on Friday evening, featured an invited address by Arthur W. Melton." The program is outlined. A publication of proceedings is in preparation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Environmental psychology and sustainability: Comments on topics important for our future.

This article emphasises the importance of psychology for the study and mitigation of sustainability issues. Over the past 20 years, a number of special issues on human behaviour and the environment have emerged in the literature, characterising the breadth of environmental problems and their consequences for our quality of life. The articles in this special section focus on psychology's role in interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability, with special attention given to the interdependency of environmental and human health. In this article, the authors summarise the main points of each of these contributions. In addition, they suggest tangible ways in which psychologists can meaningfully contribute to the environmental cause as individuals, practitioners, teachers, researchers, and administrators. Finally, the authors highlight future directions for research and practice in environmental psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The transformation of psychology: Influences of 19th-century philosophy, technology, and natural science.

Reviews the book, The transformation of psychology: Influences of 19th-century philosophy, technology, and natural science edited by Christopher D. Green, Marlene Shore, and Thomas Teo (see record 2001-01476-000). In the following review, I have found it convenient to divide the 11 chapters of this volume into three groups, one devoted to the philosophy of psychological science, one devoted to theoretical and biological psychology, and one devoted to applied psychology. The first of these groups contains chapters by Andrew S. Winston on Ernst Mach, by Charles W. Tolman on G. W. F. Hegel, and by Thomas Teo on Karl Marx and Wilhelm Dilthey. The second grouping of chapters is concerned with theoretical/biological psychology and includes five contributions. The final group of chapters concerns applied psychology. What I liked most about this book was the genuinely innovative character of every chapter; there is no "old hat" stuff anywhere. The editors and contributors are to be congratulated on a fine and timely work of scholarship. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Military conflict and terrorism: General psychology informs international relations.

Several experiments, focusing on decisions made by young, voting-age citizens of the United States about how to respond to incidents of international conflict, are summarized. Participants recommended measured reactions to an initial attack. Repeated attacks led to escalated reaction, however, eventually matching or exceeding the conflict level of the attack itself. If a peace treaty between contending nations was in place, women were more forgiving of an attack, and men were more aggressive. There was little overall difference in reactions to terrorist versus military attacks. Participants responded with a higher level of conflict to terrorist attacks on military than on cultural-educational targets. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Applied Psychology in Action: Comment on Word Meaning.

Comments on "The non-directive approach in advertising appeals" by H. D. Hadley (1953) and the distinction between credibility and credulity in the text. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Teaching a course in the psychology of international relations.

There are several reasons for teaching psychology courses in international relations: (a) psychology has something new to add to the numerous courses in international relations now being taught. (b) There is now enough significant material to make a full semester course worthwhile. (c) Teaching about war and peace can lead to some interesting research. Major sections are: Psychological Approach to International Relations, Course Material, Research Potential, Organizing Course, and Student Research. The author reports his experiences in teaching this kind of course. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)