Induction, Grue Emeralds and Lady Macbeth's Fallacy

This paper does not purport to offer yet another 'solution' to the much discussed 'new riddle' of induction. The focus, instead, is on the genesis of Goodman's paradox and its relation to the classic problem of induction. In the arguments which led Goodman from the dissolution of Hume's problem to the discovery of the new riddle, I reveal a fundamentally flawed assumption about the nature of inductive inference which undermines Goodman's contention that the genuine problem of induction consists in distinguishing between projectible and non-projectible regularities. I further show that if the same set of observations may indeed support an indefinitely large number of inductive predictions, then the rationale for dismissing the classic problem of induction disappears. Stripped of its erroneous assumptions, the new riddle becomes nothing more than a special case of Hume's problem.     

Book reviews

The Psychological Record -     

Right-wing authoritarianism,political affiliation,religiosity, and their relation to psychological androgyny

The authoritarian personality is characterized by a traditional attitude towards gender roles that reflects its conservative ideology [T. W. Adorno, E. Frenkel-Brunswik, D. J. Levinson, and R. N. Sanford (1950) The Authoritarian Personality, New York: Norton]. The present study investigated the relationship between S. L. Bem's [(1974) sex roles The Measurement of Psychological Androgyny, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol. 42, pp. 155–162], on the one hand, and right-wing authoritarianism [RWA; B. Altemeyer (1988) Enemies of Freedom: Understanding Right-Wing Authoritarianism, San Francisco], political affiliation, and religiosity level, on the other. Subjects were 365 Jewish undergraduate students (227 women and 138 men) at a number of universities; 81 were second generation Israelis, 90 were children of Ashkenazic parents, 75 were children of Sephardic parents, and 113 were children of parents from mixed background. They completed Altemeyer's RWA scale and a shortened version of Bem's Sex Role Inventory. Political affiliation and religiosity level (variables strongly linked to the authoritarian personality theory) were also measured. Among women, the RWA mean score of the cross-sex typed subjects was significantly lower than that of the sex-typed and the undifferentiated subjects, and most of the cross-sex typed women supported the political left and defined themselves as secular, while among men, no statistically significant RWA, political affiliation, and religiosity differences were found between Bem's four personality types. These results highlight gender differences in the relationships between authoritarian personality and gender-role identification. While it seems that cross-sex-typed women tend to rebel against the status quo, the question of why similar patterns do not appear among men still remains open to speculation.     

Hyperactive boys in their classroom: Assessment of teacher and peer perceptions,interactions, and classroom behaviors

Teacher ratings, peer perceptions, peer interactions, and classroom behaviors of 17 hyperactive and 17 active elementary school-age boys, nominated by their teachers, were compared using multivariate analyses and planned comparisons in order to better describe and assess hyperactivity in its most probable setting —the classroom. Hyperactive boys were found to be significantly different from actives on measures from all data sources in that they were perceived and interacted more negatively. Cluster analyses of teacher ratings of 90 hyperactives from a clinical sample and 17 hyperactives from the current sample were used to discriminate among different types of hyperactives. Four types were named anxious, conduct problem, inattentive, and low problem hyperactives. The fact that six conduct problem hyperactives were found to be more disruptive and have higher activity level ratings than six inattentive hyperactives, when observed in their classrooms, points to the need to study and treat hyperactives as heterogeneous groups.This study is based in part on a doctoral dissertation submitted to the Psychology Department, Indiana University, by the first author. Thanks are expressed to the students and teachers of the Monroe County School System who took part in the study. The authors also wish to thank Prof. Robert Sprague of the University of Illinois for providing the Conners Rating Scales on 90 hyperactive children.     

Expressions of existential philosophy in different therapeutic schools

Therapeutic schools vary greatly in their conceptualization of authenticity, a concept that grew out of existential philosophy. On one end of the spectrum, the real person is seen as one living in harmony with his or her environment and achieving fulfillment through relationships. An opposite view regards the person who has successfully adapted to his or her social environment as inauthentic. A basic dilemma which characterizes the therapeutic process is whether to put the emphasis on the client self acceptance or on adaptation to society. This article discusses authenticity from a philosophical point of view and reviews the attitudes toward the concept from various schools of therapy. Although existential psychotherapy is the only school that uses the concept of authenticity, one can find clues to the conflict between encouraging the client's own individuality and motivating him or her toward social adaptation in almost every therapeutic school. Authenticity is therefore an important subject to be dealt with in therapy. Moreover, the attitude toward authenticity is often influenced by the therapist's personal values and therapeutic orientation.     

Family Physicians’ Awareness and Knowledge of the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA)

Historically, physicians have expressed concern about their patients’ risk of genetic discrimination, which has acted as a barrier to uptake of genetic services. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) is intended to protect patients against employer and health insurance discrimination. Physicians’ awareness and knowledge of GINA has yet to be evaluated. In 2009, we mailed surveys to 1500 randomly selected members of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Questions measured physicians’ current knowledge of GINA and their level of concern for genetic discrimination. In total, 401 physicians completed the survey (response rate 26.9%). Approximately half (54.5%) of physicians had no awareness of GINA. Of physicians who reported basic knowledge of GINA, the majority were aware of the protections offered for group health insurance (92.7%), private health insurance (82.9%), and employment (70.7%). Fewer physicians were aware of GINA’s limitations regarding life insurance (53.7%) and long-term care insurance (58.8%). Physicians demonstrated highest levels of concern for health insurance, life insurance, and long-term care insurance discrimination, with less concern for employer and family/social discrimination. Level of concern for the risk of genetic discrimination did not correlate significantly with awareness of GINA. Approximately 17 months after GINA was signed into federal law, physicians’ knowledge remained limited regarding the existence of this legislation and relevant details. Physicians who are aware of GINA continue to have significant concerns regarding the risk of genetic discrimination. This study reveals the need to further educate physicians about the existence of GINA and the protections offered.