Leading with ethics,aiming for policy: new opportunities for philosophy of science

The goal of this paper is to articulate and advocate for an enhanced role for philosophers of science in the domain of science policy as well as within the science curriculum. I argue that philosophy of science as a field can learn from the successes as well as the mistakes of bioethics and begin to develop a new model that includes robust contributions to the science classroom, research collaborations with scientists, and a role for public philosophy through involvement in science policy development. Through an analysis of two case studies, I illustrate how philosophers of science can make effective and productive contributions to science education as well as to interdisciplinary scientific research, and argue for the essential role of philosophers of science in the realm of science policy.     

Avoiding Colonizer Positions in the Therapy Room: Some Ideas About the Challenges of Dealing with the Dialectic of Misery and Resources in Families

Some authors have argued that certain acts of family therapists—despite their best intentions—may represent a form of colonizing the family. When acting as a colonizer, a therapist is understood as becoming overly responsible for the family and focusing too strongly on change. In so doing, the therapist disrespects the family's pace, and neglects their own resources for change. This paper aims to highlight the need for therapists to be hypersensitive both to the resources of families entering therapy as well as to the impact of prevailing ideologies on their own positioning in the session. The kind of sensitivity advocated here is dialectical in the sense that every family is understood as having potentials promoting dynamism, happiness, and well-being as well as potentials contributing to stagnation, unhappiness, and misery. In this article, using illustrations from clinical practice, we present some ideas for resisting the tendency by the therapist to assume a colonizing position as a professional solver of problems for families. Our main aim here is to redirect the therapist toward connecting with the family's suffering, as well as with the resource repertoire it has developed for navigating and negotiating its way through life.     

Closing the gaps: developmental psychopathology as a training model for clinical child psychology

Espouses developmental psychopathology as a framework for training our future leaders due to its emphasis on an ecological, transactional lifespan perspective, as well as interdisciplinary bridging and policy focus. This perspective, used as a framework for questioning and thinking about the complex interplay of psychological and social phenomena, provides a method for closing the gaps in training future psychologists as it allows for the development of niche expertise under an umbrella of the broader, ecological perspective. In an increasingly complex world of shrinking mental health dollars and growing severity of mental health problems for families and youth, clinical psychologists are needed more than ever to solve social problems. The current training paradigms in clinical child psychology programs need redirection and clarification for future psychologists to contribute meaningfully to science, practice, and policy. This article provides background in the history and influence of the developmental psychopathology perspective, as well as future implications for doctoral training programs in clinical psychology.     

Cognitive organization of disease concepts in Singapore

Abstract

This research investigates illness cognition and its relationship to the use of different types of medicine in three ethnic groups in Singapore. Four hundred and twenty-nine Chinese, Malay, and Indian Singaporeans rated 24 diseases as to their similarity. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) indicated three dimensions. Regression of these dimensions against 17 disease attributes suggested that these dimensions represented spiritual/psychological causation, disease severity, and viral causation. When the dimensions were related to the use of, preference for and perceived effectiveness of different types of medicine it was found that Indian medicine tended to be used, preferred and perceived to be most effective for diseases low in severity whereas Chinese medicine was viewed most favourably for diseases perceived to be low in spiritual/psychological causation as well as those not seen as virally caused. Malay medicine tended to used, preferred and perceived as most effective for conditions believed to be non-serious and not caused by a virus. Western medicine was most likely to be used, preferred, and seen as most effective for diseases viewed as serious as well as those believed to be virally caused.     

Conditioning of electrodermal responses through vicarious instigation and through perceived threat to a performer

Abstract.— In order to demonstrate vicarious classical conditioning, and to investigate the necessity of vicarious instigation for vicarious conditioning of skin conductance responses, two groups of 32 students each observed a performer ( P ) allegedly trying to solve easy and difficult number series displayed for both the P and the observers ( Os ). Difficult problems served as CS+ and easy ones as CS-for os in both groups; indicated shock to the P as unconditioned stimulus (UCS) for one group, and perceived threat of shock to P as UCS for the other. Within the two groups half of the os were instructed to empathize with the P , whereas the other half was instructed just to watch her movements. The results demonstrated vicarious instigation and conditioning for the group having indicated shock as UCS, and conditioning without instigation for the group having perceived threat of shock as UCS. Since results for the conditioned response and the vicariously instigated response go beyond earlier interpretations, a theoretical elaboration in the cognitive direction is argued for.     

Role of the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) in anxiety and cognition: Opportunities for intervention for anxiety-related disorders

Our objective was to review the literature on the parietal cortex and intraparietal sulcus (IPS) in anxiety-related disorders, as well as opportunities for using neuromodulation to target this region and reduce anxiety. We provide an overview of prior research demonstrating: 1) the importance of the IPS in attention, vigilance, and anxious arousal, 2) the potential for neuromodulation of the IPS to reduce unnecessary attention toward threat and anxious arousal as demonstrated in healthy samples; and 3) limited data on the potential for neuromodulation of the IPS to reduce hyper-attention toward threat and anxious arousal among clinical samples with anxiety-related disorders. Future research should evaluate the efficacy of IPS neuromodulation in fully powered clinical trials, as well as the value in augmenting evidence-based treatments for anxiety with IPS neuromodulation.     

A church-based peer-led group intervention for mental illness

Religion and spirituality (R/S) can be powerful supports and provide important coping resources for individuals in recovery. Faith communities seem to offer many advantages for recovery-oriented support, but have rarely been the setting for empirically examined psychosocial rehabilitation efforts. This study describes the outcomes for individuals in Living Grace Groups (LGGs), a peer-led group intervention for mental illness that is based in churches and integrates R/S. Persons at all active LGGs were surveyed before and after participation using well-validated scales for recovery, psychiatric symptoms, and spirituality. LGGs attracted individuals with a broad range of persistent psychiatric difficulties, who described religion as important to them and rated the groups as very helpful. Participants reported improvements in recovery and spirituality as well as reductions in psychiatric symptoms. R/S-integrated support groups may improve care by increasing cultural match, as well as providing more access to recovery-oriented care by tapping the resources of faith communities.     

The making of a sacred mountain. Meanings of nature and sacredness in Sápmi and northern Norway

A case study of sacred landscapes in the contemporary era, the article deals with a particular mountain and its rise to sacredness. Fuelled by plans of ski-slope development, the fate of Tromsdalstind caused a lively debate in local newspapers, as well as a report issued by the Sami Parliament. The report connected sacredness to Sami traditions in the past and to current laws on the protection of Sami cultural memories. This, then, was a case of sacredness constructed outside the context of organized religions and ongoing religious traditions, as well as a case of using secular laws as the primary basis for definitions of sacredness.Through this process, love for the mountain appears to have grown deeper and more religious, both for the Sami as well as for other northern Norwegians. Neither more nor less authentic than those of the past, these concepts of sacredness belong to the late modern world of law culture, nature romanticism, and to pan-indigenous spirituality as a “religion” in the making.     

The Conference Morning Keynote Address of Dr. Laurence Steinberg on the Age of Opportunity and Lessons from the New Science of Adolescence: With Introductory and Closing Commentary

ABSTRACT

Dr. Laurence Steinberg’s busy schedule prevented him from contributing his own journal article based on his keynote address. However, he was able to review, edit, and approve the contents of this article, which captures his keynote address, while covering the following topics: 1) the need to change how adolescence is conceived as something to survive; 2) the need to turn to brain science for a new vision of adolescence, including the importance of understanding brain plasticity; 3) the essential focus on self-control as a factor for consideration, as per findings from research; 4) the impact from the interaction of sex hormones and the neurotransmitter dopamine upon adolescents; 5) how adolescence is a stage of opportunity, as well as vulnerability due to brain plasticity—as in being vulnerable to mental illness, substance dependence, and stress and trauma; 6) the need to change how we think about juvenile justice policy and practice, and five lessons from brain science in this regard; 7) the importance of considering early disadvantages for children of color and implications for disparities; 8) implications, overall, for policy and practice in the criminal justice system; 9) the need to re-think how society sanctions adolescents, as well as the need for professionals and society to take advantage of adolescence as an opportunity. Finally, the article ends with the author’s own commentary and analysis, which extends some of the implications of the keynote address—including the need to focus on both proximal and distal factors, such as social determinants of disadvantage.     

FATHERING IS A FEMINIST ISSUE

Feminist theory has not yet addressed the ways in which the ideology of fatherhood has contributed to interlocking inequalities for women in both the workplace and family life. This paper is an effort to inject a feminist voice into the redefinition of fathering, which I see as essential both to the achievement of equality for women and to the reconstruction of the masculine gender role. I begin by describing how our unconscious gender ideology pressures all families to become traditional patriarchal families. I address feminist concerns about the dangers of over-valuing fathers'contributions to child development. I review the research evidence on whether fathers have the same potential for nurturing as mothers, and examine gay fathering in particular. Finally, I suggest that redefining fathering to emphasize nurturing as well as providing will place attachment and connection at the center of gender socialization for men. Masculinity would then become much less oppressive for men as well as for women.     

An empathy-humility-commitment model of forgiveness applied within family dyads

Forgiveness is described as requiring empathy for the offender, the humility to see oneself as being as fallible and needy as the offender, and courage to commit publicly to forgive. Research supports the model in individual therapy and psychoeducational groups in which the forgiver does not have to confront the offender. Family therapy, in which partners, parent–child dyads or siblings must confess their need for forgiveness and forgive face to face provides special challenges. Processes of forgiveness – empathy, humility and commitment – are understood to be the same as in any interpersonal forgiveness context; that is, they are thought to occur within dyads. Techniques compatible with several varieties of family therapies are summarized for applying the model in family therapy to encourage family members to forgive.     

Gender and success-related attributions: Beyond individualistic conceptions of achievement

Two hundred male and 42 female senior public administrators responded to a questionnaire that explored gender differences in self- and social attributions for career success. Attributions to professional, personal, and political contacts were examined in addition to ability, hard work, and luck. Ability and hard work were found to constitute a central factor, labeled the “Alger factor,” in attributions for oneself as well as for colleagues of both sexes. Professional contacts were seen as more important than nonprofessional contacts or luck by both sexes; women, however, perceived the Alger factor as more important to their own success than to that of male colleagues, and viewed professional contacts as more important to male colleagues than even the Alger factor. There were gender differences in the relationship of luck to the Alger factor: self-attributions to luck and to the Alger factor were positively correlated for women but negatively correlated for men, perhaps because of a differential sense of entitlement for the sexes. While affirming the centrality of the Alger factor in causal attributions, this research underscores the need to reconceptualize current research paradigms based on individualistic conceptions of achievement.     

行为干预情绪记忆再巩固：从实验室到临床转化

重新激活已经储存的记忆会重返暂时不稳定的状态, 需要经历重新稳定, 称为记忆再巩固。在这期间可以通过多种行为手段破坏、强化或更新原始记忆痕迹, 这为开发一种革命性的情绪记忆障碍治疗方法开辟了道路。然而, 即使在简单的实验模型中引发记忆再巩固的条件也是复杂的, 这给临床转化带来了困难与挑战。未来研究可以设置更具生态效应的基础模型, 寻求引发以及干预再巩固的最佳方式, 从神经生理、细胞分子层面进一步深化其内在机理研究。     

Civic religion in England: Traditions and transformations

As the religious diversity of English towns and cities has grown over the past thirty years due to the establishment in some places of sizeable communities of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, as well as other faiths, there have been important changes to local public religion. Traditional civic ceremonies, such as Remembrance Sunday, as well as new forms of civic celebration and commemoration, are now increasingly taking account of the diversity of faiths represented in Britain. This paper examines the consequences of religious diversity for English civic religion by looking at some of the traditions of civic ceremonies in England and at the way in which they have been transformed by the changing religious landscape of towns and cities. The paper also explores some of the dilemmas and questions that have emerged both for the Church of England as well as for the other faith communities when it comes to the design and delivery of civic ceremonies.     

Searching for the enriching sense of otherness: The psychoanalytic psychotherapist as a meaning-bearing other

Abstract

This paper is a theoretical and clinical examination of the patient's search for the otherness of the therapist as a prerequisite for change and development in relational psychoanalytic psychotherapy. A basic assumption is that being in a relationship as well as being a personal self, is to be understood, as being with a “meaning-bearing other”; that is, someone who allows for the possibility of meaningful thoughts and feelings, either through an actual communicative presence or as a consciously, prereflective, or unconsciously imagined communication partner. The term “meaning-bearing other” is used to differentiate distinct, although often synchronic, modes of relatedness. The need for intersubjective “depth”—that is, to discover the otherness of the other, and for oneself to be recognized as an experiencing subject—is regarded as a main motivational force. Winnicott's, as well as Sullivan's developmental approaches, Mitchell and Aron's views on psychoanalytic interaction, and Heidegger and Gadamer's phenomenology and hermeneutics are used as theoretical points of reference for the present discourse. The theoretical points of view are examined and discussed through excerpts from twice-a-week psychotherapy with a six-year old girl.     

A comparison of two estimation algorithms for Samejima’s continuous IRT model

This study compares two algorithms, as implemented in two different computer softwares, that have appeared in the literature for estimating item parameters of Samejima’s continuous response model (CRM) in a simulation environment. In addition to the simulation study, a real-data illustration is provided, and CRM is used as a potential psychometric tool for analyzing measurement outcomes in the context of curriculum-based measurement (CBM) in the field of education. The results indicate that a simplified expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm is as effective and efficient as the traditional EM algorithm for estimating the CRM item parameters. The results also show promise for using this psychometric model to analyze CBM outcomes, although more research is needed in order to recommend CRM as a standard practice in the CBM context.     

Exploratory Approaches for Studying Social Interactions,Dynamics, and Multivariate Processes in Psychological Science

In this article, I argue for the need of more use of exploratory techniques to identify dynamics in social interactions. I describe several approaches as they are applied to multivariate time series data. The first approach is an algorithm that searches for periods of variability and stability at the individual level as well as for patterns of overlap in such periods between the two individuals in a couple. These patterns describe the daily ups and downs in the couples' affect and are predictive of the state of the couples 1 to 2 years later. The second approach, hierarchical segmentation, is based on the idea of partitioning the time series in segments with distinct data patterns. In the case of data from dyads, as in the illustration, the patterns can be compared in terms of coherence between the 2 individuals in the dyad. The third approach is based on network analysis, and its use is shown as a method to examine data transitions at the individual and dyadic level as well as system-wide coherence in multivariate systems. For each approach, I provide examples of its use with empirical data. The article ends with general guidelines and recommendations for researchers interested in using exploratory methods as a way to examine psychological processes.     

How to Develop Collaborative Empiricism in Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Conclusions From the C&BP Special Series

In this concluding commentary, we reflect on the component parts of the special series (see Kazantzis, Cronin, Dattilio, & K. S. Dobson, 2013--this issue, for the introductory article) in order to reconstitute the “whole” concept of collaborative empiricism in CBT. Each contribution of the special series clearly acknowledges that collaboration and empiricism are imperative for effective CBT, as well as to further elucidate these concepts in a range of central and timely therapeutic contexts. The articulation of the component elements of collaboration and empiricism is discussed as an important contribution, and one that assists in distinguishing central features and clarifying differences between collaboration as defined in CBT. A second important theme of the special series is the further specification of the construct of empiricism as it relates to the practice of CBT. The special series provides clarification for the role of collaborative empiricism in therapeutic processes of case formulation, in-session structure, and self-monitoring to assist in assessment, as well as in the use of core techniques such as exposure, work for specific clinical groups such as psychosis, and adaption of the work in a manner that is respectful and responsive to the client’s culture, preferences, and abilities. Case examples illustrate the importance of relying on the client’s experience, rather than general principles or logic, and the use of the client’s experience both specifically and explicitly, and as a measure for the evaluation of therapeutic interventions.