THE CREATED CO-CREATOR: WHAT IT IS AND IS NOT

Abstract In this article I briefly assesses Philip Hefner's concept of the created co‐creator by considering both what it does and does not claim. Looking at issues of reductionism, biological selfishness, biology and freedom, and environmental ethics, I point out strengths and weaknesses in Hefner's conception of the created co‐creator.     

Do Split Brains Listen to Prozac?

Abstract. Cognitive science challenges our understandings of self and freedom. In this article, adapted from a chapter in Minding God: Theology and the Cognitive Sciences (Peterson 2003), I review some of the scientific literature with regard to issues of self and freedom. I argue that our sense of self is a construct and heavily dependent on the kind of brain that we have. Furthermore, understanding the issue of freedom requires an understanding of the findings of cognitive science. Human beings are constrained to be free; our biology in no small way determines the kinds of freedom that we are able to have.     

Nonsectarian Counseling in Churches: A Delicate Balance

This account of the author's 2 contrasting experiences as a church counselor raises awareness regarding counseling in new venues and in response to congregational and community needs. Church members responded to the invitation to come to counseling before problems became crises; the majority of the members explored midlife and other developmental issues. Specific concerns related to confidentiality and privacy, counselor values and attitudes, the extent of pro bono services, the counselor's relationship with clerics, counseling of clerics, church membership, outreach, and boundaries are addressed, as well as the effective use of discussion groups for youth, men, women, and parents in building a sense of community.     

PsychoPro 2.0: Using multidimensional scaling to examine the perceptual categorization of race

Recently, researchers examining cognitive mechanisms involved in the detection of racial markers have been using psychophysics to examine perceptual thresholds delineating race using a program called PsychoPro (MacLin, MacLin, Peterson, Chowdhry, & Joshi, 2009). PsychoPro allows researchers to collect data using facial stimuli morphed along a racial continuum with psychophysical methodology. PsychoPro 2.0 was updated so researchers could collect paired-comparison data that can then be analyzed using multidimensional scaling (MDS). MDS allows researchers to examine the perceptions of racial boundaries along perceptual dimensions not bounded by the stimulus continuum, by having the observer make paired comparisons to racial stimuli based on their perceived similarity. Results indicate that ratings were made on the basis of at least six different racial dimensions that suggest the emergence of a third race not represented by the original morph starting images. Details of the software, the new paired-comparison feature and its relevance in psychophysical studies in general and racial categorization in particular are presented.     

Examining the Role of Applicant Faking in Hiring Decisions: Percentage of Fakers Hired and Hiring Discrepancies in Single- and Multiple-Predictor Selection

Purpose  

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of applicant faking on personnel selection outcomes (fakers hired and hiring discrepancies) across single-predictor (conscientiousness alone) and multiple-predictor (combinations of conscientiousness and cognitive ability) selection methods.     

Under Reporting of Suicide Ideation in US Army Population Screening: An Ongoing Challenge

Previous research in US Army Soldiers shows rates of mental health concerns as two to four times higher on anonymous surveys than on postdeployment health assessments. In this study, Soldiers presenting for health reassessment completed two questionnaires on suicide risk factors: one linked to the health assessment and one anonymous. About 5.1% of respondents reported suicide ideation on the anonymous questionnaire, 3.0% on the linked questionnaire, and 0.9% on the health reassessment. About 56.4% who reported suicide ideation anonymously told nobody of their thoughts. Current screening procedures identify only one in seven Soldiers experiencing suicide ideation and highlight the need for alternative risk‐detection strategies.