Redefining the science-practice relationship and professional training.

A revised conception of the relationship between psychological science and professional practice is proposed in the light of postmodern changes in perspectives on knowledge. Positivistic science, which has dominated the traditional interpretation of scientist–practitioner training, is considered from a constructivist point of view to be only one possible foundation of psychological knowledge. It is argued that the knowledge base of the profession should be derived with diverse methods and from multiple sources, including the knowledge of practice. The mutuality of science and practice is emphasized. An evolving framework for understanding the epistemology of practice, based on cognitive psychology, is presented. Emphasis on broadened choices of research methods, the development of reflective skills, and better linkage between teaching in the domains of research and practice are urged. Suggestions for research related to scientific training and the knowledge processes of practice are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A path of understanding for psychology.

Proposes the path for understanding human existence developed by M. Merleau-Ponty (1962, 1963, 1964, 1968) as a replacement for the paths historically employed by psychology. Descartes established the agenda for modernistic philosophy when he proposed that the task of philosophy is to provide a foundation on which assurances of certain truth can be built. Modernist philosophers diverged, following the paths of sensation (empiricism) and of reason (rationalism). Postmodernists argue that Descartes's agenda was misguided and that there is no foundation for certain knowledge. They set upon the path of language which led them to the dismissal of the human S. Merleau-Ponty explored the path of the lived body in which thought and extension are intertwined, and along which is located the human S in its temporality and embodiment. The path of embodiment is held to be a more fruitful path than the path of language. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Safety Analysis Results for ITER In-Vessel Loss of Coolant Events

A number of postulated in-vessel loss of coolant accidents (LOCAs) associated with the first wall and baffle cooling systems of the ITER detailed design have been analyzed for the ITER Non-site Specific Safety Report (NSSR-1). A range of break sizes from one first wall tube break (1.57 × 10^–4 m²) to damage to all in-vessel components (0.6 m² break) have been examined. These events span the ITER event classification from likely events to extremely unlikely events. In addition, in-vessel pipe breaks in combination with bypass of the two confinement barriers through a generic penetration have been examined. In all cases, when the vacuum vessel pressure suppression system is activated, most of the radioactive inventory is carried to the suppression pool where it remains for the duration of the event. Releases in these events are well within ITER release limits.     

Association report: Division 24's 1986 convention program.

Presents the 1986 Convention Program of the American Psychological Association's Division of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology. The quality of the submissions was high and the process of choosing which to include was difficult. The program allotment was expanded by two hours and thereby included almost sixty people on the program. Their papers address the spectrum of topics within philosophical and theoretical psychology. Several programs specifically address the issue of theoretical foundations of applied psychology, a special theme of this year's program. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Incarnate phenomenological reflection.

Reviews the book, Bodily reflective modes: A phenomenological method for psychology by Kenneth Joel Shapiro (1985). In this book Shapiro proposes an alternative to the Duquesne method for conducting phenomenological research, basing it on Merleau-Ponty's conception of human existence as incarnate subject. Psychological investigations based on the phenomenological perspective have relied mainly on a method developed at Duquesne University. In developing his method Shapiro first suggests steps for gaining access to the fleeting lived experiences of bodily generated meaning before it becomes an act, a concept, or an image. Next he offers procedures for analyzing this prelinguistic, nonobjective experience of meaning by bringing it to expression through schematic drawings, metaphor, and discursive language. Overall, in my view Shapiro draws too sharp a distinction between the structures of preobjective bodily experience and the structures of language, but I do agree that contemporary followers of Wittgenstein's language game theory have overstated their position. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Further extensions of methodological diversity for counseling psychology.

Discusses the state of the art of research methodology in counseling psychology, which consists of the use of diverse methods. However, the diversity is limited to methods consistent with the values and logical framework of science as developed by the physical sciences. A further extension of methodology is required in order to include maturing alternative systems of inquiry such as systemic and structural methods, techniques designed to study goal-directed human action, and hermeneutic and phenomenological approaches. External critique from the philosophy of science and internal dissatisfaction expressed by practitioners are providing a renewed impetus to explore research strategies based in nonformal systems of logic. The need for and theoretical justification of diverse systems of inquiry are becoming more evident, yet a body of research examples or training strategies has not yet developed. It is important for the discipline of counseling psychology to support the development of alternative research strategies and to assume leadership in creating training methods for their use. (65 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Multi-Component Species Identifying Pheromone in the Goldfish

Although it has been established that sexually-immature goldfish and their relatives recognize members of their own species by using chemicals that they release, the identity of this cue(s) and whether it might be produced and used by other life stages is not yet known. To address this question, this study tested the behavioral responses of sexually immature and mature goldfish to each other’s body washings, their sensitivity to this cue, the role of the olfactory sense in detecting it, and whether it is comprised of either polar and/or non-polar compounds. Tests that used two-choice mazes discovered that juvenile, immature, mature male, and mature female goldfish all release and respond to a common chemical cue(s). Dilution studies next demonstrated that this cue is active when diluted over 10 times and thus capable of functioning as a short range attractant/identifier. Olfactory occlusion demonstrated that it is detected by the olfactory sense. Finally, chemical fractionation demonstrated that it is comprised of both polar and non-polar components but likely does not include bile acids. Together, these results suggest that all life stages of goldfish use a complex multicomponent pheromonal odor to discern species identity, and that this odor has the potential to function with hormonal metabolites to identify sexual condition in behaviorally active fish of many species.