American Psychologist

doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.44.10.1261pmid: N/A

One of the dominating features of the psychology and philosophy of William James is a deep concern with the monism–pluralism issue. Because of James’s fascination with monistic and pluralistic perspectives and the related problem of unity and disunity, he would have been keenly interested in current concerns about the diversity of psychology. His advice regarding diversity might be especially informative because it would be based on a lifetime of thought devoted to the theoretical and practical problems attending monistic and pluralistic orientations. This article briefly examines James’s pluralistic vision of the world especially as expressed in his mature philosophical treatises. Attention is then directed to the advice James might have offered to those who seek disciplinary unity.

Reppucci, N. Dickon; Haugaard, Jeffrey J.

doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.44.10.1266pmid: 2679254

Programs to prevent child sexual abuse have proliferated as a result of increased public awareness and professional documentation of its incidence. We describe the content and format of these prevention programs in general and examine selected programs for effectiveness. Although there is limited evidence for an increase in knowledge for program participants, most evaluations suffer from basic design problems and present few results indicative of either primary prevention or detection. Overall, we argue that self-protection against sexual abuse is a very complex process for any child and that few, if any, prevention programs are comprehensive enough to have a meaningful impact on this process. Finally, we discuss several untested assumptions that guide these programs. We conclude that it is unclear whether prevention programs are working or even that they are more beneficial than harmful.

doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.44.10.1276pmid: N/A

Justification, in the vernacular language of philosophy of science, refers to the evaluation, defense, and confirmation of claims of truth. In this article, we examine some aspects of the rhetoric of justification, which in part draws on statistical data analysis to shore up facts and inductive inferences. There are a number of problems of methodological spirit and substance that in the past have been resistant to attempts to correct them. The major problems are discussed, and readers are reminded of ways to clear away these obstacles to justification.

doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.44.10.1285pmid: N/A

Model-fitting methods are described for estimating genetic and environmental contributions to the variation of behavioral traits. These methods are illustrated by application to data from recent large twin studies of neuroticism and extraversion and to summary data on IQ. Some possible environmental and genetic implications of the results are considered. The environmental implications of these analyses may be of even more interest to psychologists than the genetic ones.

doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.44.10.1293pmid: N/A

doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.44.10.1298pmid: N/A

A general deterioration is occurring in the quality of life of rural Americans, and it is affecting the quality of health and mental health service delivery. About 24% of the U.S. population lives in nonmetropolitan areas where the citizens are older, less well educated, have lower incomes, and are more homogeneous in terms of race and ethnicity. Medicare and private insurance discriminate against rural services in their reimbursement policies, and there is a shortage of health personnel in rural areas. However, there has been renewed congressional action to meet rural needs. Both the House and Senate have established rural caucuses, and an Office of Rural Health Policy has been established in the federal executive branch. Legislative successes were achieved between 1985 and 1988. Rural initiatives will provide psychology with unique opportunities in the next several years.

doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.44.10.1307pmid: N/A

Recent federal legislation has provided renewed interest in improving the quality of nursing home care. The lack of both funding and personnel are significant barriers that may keep psychology’s disciplinary expertise from being fully used in nursing homes. Nursing homes may be forced to undertake mandated activities (e.g., preadmission screening, nurses’ aides’ training, and evaluation) without psychologists’ expertise, relying either on medical practitioners with little knowledge of mental health interventions or on minimally qualified, entry-level mental health workers. Advocates for improved nursing home care must see the links among basic disciplinary skills, interdisciplinary collaboration, and improved care for mentally impaired elderly individuals.

doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.44.10.1315pmid: N/A

What are the mental health status and active treatment needs of nursing home residents? A stratified random sample of 828 residents in 25 facilities serving Medicaid recipients was assessed for levels of physical and psychosocial functioning. Although 91.2% had sufficiently high levels of medical and physical care needs to justify nursing home placement, 79.6% also had moderate to intense needs for mental health care. Older residents, relative to their younger counterparts, had more intense medical and mental health care needs. It was also found that psychiatric diagnosis was a poor indicator of mental health service needs, particularly among elderly individuals.

Harvey, O. J.

doi: 10.1037/h0091637pmid: N/A

Kassinove, Howard; Yuker, Harold E.

doi: 10.1037/h0091636pmid: N/A