American Psychologist

Viteles, Morris S.

doi: 10.1037/h0033260pmid: N/A

Reviews and contrasts recent advances in psychologists' knowledge of human behavior with the "crisis identity" for psychology as science vs. action and fact vs. fiction. The crisis arises when scientists engaged in highly complex social, economic, and political action make untested assumptions based on personal beliefs. The encounter group is cited as an example of experimentation without a firm theoretical basis or specific research support. It is concluded that social engineering is still based on fragmentary data and needs further exploration through the use of available scientific techniques. (77 ref.)

Meyer, Herbert H.

doi: 10.1037/h0033448pmid: N/A

Deplores the decline of industrial psychology programs in graduate schools in the face of a growing need for help in solving intensifying human problems in industry. Although there has been an explosive growth in related graduate training programs in business schools in the last decade, graduates of such programs have not had much exposure to fundamental areas of psychology. It is suggested that masters degree programs in psychology be revived to train practitioners, and programs be initiated to train psychologists at the doctoral level for applied roles in industry. (16 ref.)

Adams, Jack A.

doi: 10.1037/h0033442pmid: N/A

Contends that engineering psychology has devoted too much of its energy to the application of existing behavioral knowledge in the design and use of man-machine systems, and not enough to the development of new knowledge that will lead to new applications. Studies of how new technology develops from basic and applied research are examined, and implications for engineering psychology are discussed. (20 ref.)

Miller, Arthur G.

doi: 10.1037/h0033257pmid: N/A

A review of the literature on role-playing and deception methodologies indicates that for its proponents, role playing promises to bypass a number of reactive dispositions and biases plaguing contemporary research. It also presumes an ethically superior E-S relationship. Those arguing against role playing focus upon its lack of realism and its capacity to provide generalizable data. Experimental comparisons of role playing and deception reveal serious shortcomings in the former. In addition, the ethical advantage is lost because the deception paradigm is the necessary criterion. Recent empirical developments substantiate the proposition that there are often major discrepancies between what a person thinks he will do or feels he should do, and what he actually does. Role playing counters recent trends toward naturalistic research designs, and is not seen as a promising methodological development. (77 ref.)

Stachnik, Thomas J.

doi: 10.1037/h0033426pmid: 5041397

Discusses the failure of current drug abuse penalties in suppressing experimentation and stopping repeated use. Undesirable side effects of the penal system are detailed. These include: (a) the user's reluctance to seek help for fear of criminal prosecution, (b) commission of crimes to support expensive illegal drug habits, (c) growth of organized crime groups, (d) misuse of law enforcement resources, and (e) overdose deaths. An alternative strategy is proposed which includes removal of penalties for drug use, and authorized availability of heroin to addicts who refuse to be treated. Treatment and rehabilitation programs should attempt to maintain the heroin user on methadone and use exaddict staff as models.

McKeachie, Wilbert J.

doi: 10.1037/h0033440pmid: N/A

The current crisis for departments of psychology arises from (a) cuts in research and training grants; (b) rising costs, (c) level-off of public appropriations; and (d) attacks on the efficiency and relevance of higher education by students, alumni, legislators, and the public. Pressures toward greater involvement in society and greater attempts to relate research and teaching to social problems are blocked by the need for retrenchment resulting from the budgetary crisis and anxiety about lack of skills. However, responsiveness to society is made much more feasible than in the past by (a) increasing interest in tackling problems of human psychology with experimental methods; and (b) the upsurge of interest in developmental psychology, experimental social psychology, and other areas relating formerly applied areas to the more scientific aspects of psychology.

Howell, Robert J.; Murdock, Maxine L.

doi: 10.1037/h0033438pmid: N/A

Results of a survey of 153 institutions with graduate programs in psychology indicates the majority of schools with PhD programs do not offer a separate master's degree. Few colleges, and none of the top-ranking universities, expressed great interest in PhD applicants with master's degrees from other institutions. Most respondents stated these transfer students would be credited with a limited amount of course work or treated as if they had a BA degree. It is concluded that the master's degree may slow the progress of students seriously considering a PhD in psychology, and may actually be a limiting factor for acceptance in doctoral programs, particularly in prestigious schools. Universities should deemphasize the master's degree as part of doctoral training and provide terminal master's programs which prepare students for immediate professional or subprofessional employment. (19 ref.)

Bardon, Jack I.; Walker, N. William

doi: 10.1037/h0033433pmid: N/A

Surveyed 112 graduate programs in school psychology during the 1969-1970 academic year. Comparison with data obtained from 1967-1969 shows that the number of training programs in school psycholgy increased by about 29%, the student population doubled, and the number of graduates tripled. Training standards improved, as evidenced by increases in (a) the number of credit-hours required for the master's degree, (b) the percentage of intermediate degrees offered, and (c) the proportion of students in post-master's-degree programs. Changes since 1970 which will effect future trends are briefly outlined (e.g., financial crises within institutions).

Roeckelein, Jon E.

doi: 10.1037/h0033259pmid: N/A

Inspection of introductory psychology textbooks reveals no significant differences in frequency counts of psychologists' names when subgrouped into "tenderminded" vs. "toughminded" categories (e.g., Freud and other clinicians vs. Skinner and other experimentalists). However, distinctive disproportions were found in frequency counts of individual psychologists' names between textbooks.

Page, Ellis B.

doi: 10.1037/h0038215pmid: N/A

Presents a resolution signed by 50 scientists to assert the importance and validity of the influence played by heredity in human behavior and to call for free and unencumbered research.