Commentary on the Special Issue: Religion in the Psychology of Personality

The author comments on the special issue on religion in the psychology of personality. She focuses her discussion on the following topics: the historical tripartite theory of cognition-affection-conation; ways that family psychology and theories of language clarify the "problem" of adherence to "false realities"; the multidimensionality of personality and religion and their cultural embeddedness as illuminated in clinical assessment by way of contextual family theory (Boszormenyi-Nagy & Krasner, 1986) and the Kantor and Lehr (1975) systems theory; the role of the investigator's personality in theory and research about personality and religion; the one-sided emphasis on the empirical tradition in the psychology of religion; and the omission of the personalist tradition.     

Introduction to the Special Edition on Psychology of Religion at Rice University

This brief paper introduces the special edition of Pastoral Psychology on the psychology of religion at Rice University.     

Introduction to the Special Issue on Advances in the Psychology of Workplace Coaching

This article introduces a special issue of Applied Psychology: An International Review that focuses on recent advances in the psychology of workplace coaching. To begin with, we briefly describe the current state of workplace coaching research, and we then outline the aims and objectives that had driven our motivation in editing this special issue. We set out two objectives for this special issue. First, to ensure that each of the contributions started with the relevant theoretical framework, and secondly, that the papers in this special issue utilized rigorous research design and methodology. We then provide an overview of each of the five articles making up the special issue, detailing their respective contributions to advancing workplace coaching research and theory. We conclude with recommendations for future workplace coaching research, building on the contributions in this special issue. We propose scholars should focus on three key areas: future coaching research should adopt a “start with theory” approach; that rigorous research design and methodology is prioritized, specifically in relation to utilizing multiple data sources and increasing the range of objective (hard) data as coaching outcome measures; and for coaching scholars to pay attention to and explore non-significant effects.     

The Future of Psychology in Medical Specialities: Introduction to the Special Issue

The continuing evolution of the health care delivery system in the United States presents threats and opportunities to psychologists in medical settings. This special issue explores the future of psychology in psychiatry, family medicine, rehabilitation, geriatric medicine, and pediatric medicine. The challenges facing neuropsychology and pain management are explored also. Finally, the professional issues of ethics in managed care, psychology in the public sector, and training future psychologists are addressed. Each paper summarizes concerns and provides recommendations for clinical practice, research, and training.