ANOTHER VIEW OF DYNAMIC CRITERIA: A CRITICAL REANALYSIS OF BARRETT, CALDWELL, AND ALEXANDER

We argue a divergent perspective from that taken by Barrett, Caldwell, and Alexander (1985) in a critical reanalysis of the evidence for dynamic criteria. Those authors distinguished three definitions of the dynamic criterion phenomenon and concluded, on the basis of secondary analyses of several sets of published data, that dynamic criteria do not exist. Moreover, they concluded that most of the temporal changes in criteria reported in those data sets could be explained by methodological artifacts. In several cases these artifacts were listed in summary form, without a complete consideration of the implications of invoking these artifacts as post hoc explanations. The purpose of this comment is to clarify the debate on dynamic criteria by critiquing the Barrett et al. study. We suggest that a fruitful solution to the problem may lie in trying to understand criteria per se rather than searching for artifacts.     

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL, PROMOTION AND THE COURTS: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Twenty-three Title VII court cases were reviewed in order to determine the standards set by the courts in their assessment of performance appraisal systems when used as the basis for promotion decisions. The topics covered were adverse impact determination, the courts' adjudication strategy, and the evidence needed to justify the performance appraisal procedures. Among the major findings was the courts': (1) failure to adhere to the "applicant flow technique" of adverse impact determination, (2) interest in assessing performance appraisal systems regardless of their adverse impact, (3) ignorance regarding acceptable validation procedures, and (4) focus on objectivity in lieu of validity. The discussion offered suggestions to employers for developing a professionally sound and legally defensible appraisal system.     

THE CENTER FOR ADVANCED STUDY INRELIGION AND SCIENCE, AND ZYGON: JOURNAL OFRELIGION AND SCIENCE-A TWENTY-YEAR VIEW

Abstract. This essay gives a brief history and presents an analysisof the aims and accomplishments of the two institutions as seen bythe author. The analysis seeks to describe and justify some of theirbasic presuppositions. Primary has been their belief that scientifi-cally informed understandings of religion do enrich our apprecia-tion of and faith in it. For instance, religion's recently discoveredroles in the evolution and development of sociocultural systemsand personalities provide new credibility and importance for reli-gious heritage. Recent translations between contemporary scien-tific and ancient religious concepts give new hope for religiousreform, revitalization, and effectiveness for human salvation in anage of science.     

THE RATIONAL SOCIETY: A CRITICAL STUDY OF SANTAYANA'S SOCIAL THOUGHT,Beth J. Singer

Anthropocentric and individualistic foundations result in forest management policy based on linear, single‐dimensional, marginal analysis detrimental to the well‐being of the forest ecosystem. Recent theories from the fields of ethics, economics, and policy analysis find that nonlinear, multidimensional analysis is possible, provided one can divorce oneself from anthropocentric and individualistic tendencies. Deep policy is introduced as a policy perspective that encourages questioning the fundamental values upon which policy decisions are made, just as deep ecology encourages a similar questioning of ecological values. An experiment is proposed for forest management in the Pacific Northwest, in which a self‐realizing Forest Board demonstrates punctuated equilibrium in forest management policy.     

TWINNING, INORGANIC REPLACEMENT, AND THE ORGANISM VIEW

In explicating his version of the Organism View, Eric Olson argues that you begin to exist only after twinning is no longer possible and that you cannot survive a process of inorganic replacement. Assuming the correctness of the Organism View, but pace Olson, I argue in this paper that the Organism View does not require that you believe either proposition. The claim I shall make about twinning helps to advance a debate that currently divides defenders of the Organism View, while the claim I shall make about inorganic replacement will help to put the Organism View on a par with its rival views by allowing it to accommodate a plausible intuition that its rivals can accommodate, namely, the intuition that you can survive a process of inorganic replacement. Both claims, I shall also argue, are important for those who are interested in the identity condition of a human organism, even if they do not hold the view that you are essentially an organism.     

THE VIEW OF THE SYSTEMICIST: A CONVERSATION

In this reflective dialogue, Humberto Maturana speaks about his understanding of living systems and its implications for psychotherapy. Dismissing the myth of "instructive interaction," Maturana argues that a simple causal conceptualization of therapeutic procedures producing precise and predictable effects in clients is incoherent with a theory of structure-determined systems. Instead, he contends that every therapeutic action is embedded in a network of relationships, whose dynamics must be appreciated by therapists in order for them to participate in the client's system and at the same time maintain the distance necessary to relate reflectively and in a noncontrolling fashion. Maturana contends that the profound and un­biased understanding that can follow from this stance fosters an awareness of the observer-dependent nature of "pathology," and provides grounds for a critique of larger cultural systems in shaping the distress or liberation of their members.     

A FACTOR ANALYTIC STUDY OF ACHIEVEMENT GOALS AND MEANS: AN INDIAN VIEW*

The present paper analyzes the meaning of achievement in the Indian socio-cultural context. Based on earlier studies of the authors, measures of goals and means of achievement were administered on samples drawn from rural and urban settings in north India. The responses were subjected to principal component factor analysis with varimax rotation. The results indicated that achievement is a multidimensional cognition and its structure in the Indian context is different from the concept of achievement employed in the traditional theory of achievement motivation. They implicate that a comprehensive understanding of achievement strivings requires attention to culture-specific aspects of achievement. Cette étude analyse le sens de l'accomplissement dans le contexte socio-culturel indien. Basées sur de précédentes études des auteurs, des mesures de finalités et des sens d'accomplissement ont été administrées à des échantillons issus de milieux ruraux et urbains du nord de l'Inde. Les résultats ont montré que l'accomplissement est multidimensionnel et que sa structure dans le contexte indien est différente du concept d'accomplissement utilisé dans la théorie traditionnelle de motivation. Ils impliquent qu'une compréhension profonde des efforts d'accomplissement nécessite d'ětre attentif aux aspects de l'accomplissement liés à la culture.     

DOMINEERINGNESS AND DOMINANCE: A TRANSACTIONAL VIEW

This paper attempts to clarify the conceptualization of interpersonal power dimensions and offers a relational-level definition and measure of dominance. A distinction is made between control movements indicating domineering message behavior and control patterns of dominance. The findings support (1) that domineeringness and dominance are separate control variables, and (2) that different dyadic patterns of satisfaction and interaction style are associated with these two dimensions.     

SCIENCE AND RELIGION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM: A PERSONAL VIEW ON THE CONTEMPORARY SCENE

This article considers the current state of the science–religion debate in the United Kingdom. It discusses the societies, groups, and individual scholars that shape that debate, including the dialogue between theology and physics, biology, and psychology. Attention is also given to theology's engagement with ecological issues. The article also reflects on the loss of influence of denominational Christianity within British society, and the impact both on the character of the debate and the role of the churches. Finally, some promising trajectories of development for the future are outlined.     

RELIGION AND HEALTH: A REVIEW AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract. The study of the relationship between religion and health has grown substantially in the past decade. There is little doubt that religion plays an important role in many people's lives and that this has an impact on their health. The question is how researchers and clinicians can best evaluate the available information and how we can improve upon the current findings. In this essay we review the current knowledge regarding religion and health and also critically review issues pertaining to methodology, findings, and interpretation of these studies. It is important to maintain a rigorous perspective with regard to such studies and also to recognize inherent limitations and suggest constructive ways in which to advance this field of study. In the end, such an approach can provide new information that will improve our understanding of the overall relationship between religion and health.     

DETECTION OF DECEPTION IN THE EMPLOYMENT CONTEXT: A REVIEW AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Empirical research on the validity of the polygraph, voice stress analysis, and paper and pencil instruments as mechanisms for the detection of deception is reviewed. It is noted that while these devices have their greatest use in the employment context, virtually all research has been done in an actual or simulated criminal investigation context. Three separate uses of devices for the detection of deception in the employment context are identified, namely, pre-employment screening, periodic screening of current employees, and investigation into a specific theft. Differences between each of these uses and the criminal investigation context are identified, and issues limiting the generalizability of research findings from one context to another are raised. Among the issues are the effects of a low base rate of guilt on accuracy, the effects of making multiple judgments on overall accuracy, and the potential for racial or ethnic bias in judgments of guilt or innocence.