Preventing problems in prevention research

The design, conduct, and analysis of prevention research efforts present formidable challenges, but as the papers in this volume illustrate, the problems of prevention research are probably not altogether intractable; they simply require the best of our thinking and the firmest of our commitments. The papers included in this issue represent some of the best thinking likely to be available, and, in aggregate, they give reason for some optimism about prevention research. Which is fortunate, because it is by now abundantly clear that treatment of all the assorted personal and social maladies that afflict us individually and as a society, is impossibly intrusive and expensive, even if we were certain we knew what to do, and we are not. Treatment research is only a step or two ahead of prevention research in nearly any field.     

Probing the effects of individual components in multiple component prevention programs

Assessing the contributions of individual components in multi-component interventions poses complex challenges for prevention researchers. We review the strengths and weaknesses of designs and analyses that may be useful in answering three questions: (1) Is each of the individual components contributing to the outcome? (2) Is the program optimal? and (3), Through what processes are the components of the program achieving their effects? Factorial and fractional factorial designs in which a systematically selected portion of all possible treatment combinations is implemented are used to address question 1. Response surface designs in which each component is quantitatively scaled are explored in relation to question 2. Mediational analysis, a hybrid of experimental and correlational approaches, is considered in relation to question 3. Design enhancements are offered that may further strengthen some of these techniques. These techniques offer promise of enhancing both the basic science and applied science contributions of prevention research.     

Participating in social enquiry and action

This paper describes the collaborative endeavours of residents and a wide range of professional workers in a particular area of Nottingham, with reference to a community psychology approach to addressing sources of psychological distress. The activities include a survey of people's views about living in the area and the factors they identify as affecting their health; and initiatives in community participation and action. One hundred and twenty three people were interviewed by members of the Sneinton and Bakersfield Community Forum. Harmful influences upon health and causes of stress were revealed as litter, dog dirt, air and traffic pollution, feeling unsafe to go out at night and lifestyle-related issues such as smoking and diet. Public meetings, the local press and short written reports were used to publicize these results and encourage further involvement. Many local residents and professionals are now active in a network of groups which address social and environmental concerns.     

Contributions of empirical research to medical ethics

Empirical research pertaining to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), clinician behaviors related to do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders and substituted judgment suggests potential contributions to medical ethics. Research quantifying the likelihood of surviving CPR points to the need for further philosophical analysis of the limitations of the patient autonomy in decision making, the nature and definition of medical futility, and the relationship between futility and professional standards. Research on DNR orders has identified barriers to the goal of patient involvement in these life and death discussions. The initial data on surrogate decision making also points to the need for a reexamination of the moral basis for substituted judgment, the moral authority of proxy decision making and the second-order status of the best interests standard. These examples of empirical research suggest that an interplay between empirical research, ethical analysis and policy development may represent a new form of interdisciplinary scholarship to improve clinical medicine.     

Integrating systems of care in California for youth with severe emotional disturbance III: Answers that lead to questions about out-of-home placements and the AB377 evaluation project

This paper is the third in a series of reports on preliminary empirical findings from replications of an integrated system of care for youth suffering from serious emotional disturbance. The development of the innovative system of care was pioneered in Ventura County, California, and the replications in three other California counties were legislatively enabled through California legislation (Assembly Bill 377). This report presents results on the expenditure and utilization of foster homes, residential placements made through special education programs, and state hospitals. Evaluation results indicate that foster home and state hospital utilization and expenditures are lower for the counties replicating the innovative system of care than for the state of California as a whole. Expenditures for special education residential placements are either at the state rate or lower in one county. The cumulative evidence supports the conclusion that the replication counties are utilizing restrictive levels of care at lower rates than would be expected, given state-wide patterns. The results, in conjunction with prior findings, are discussed in the context of questions about the possible fates of youth who no longer live in publicly funded residential facilities.     

科研成果与大学教师教学效果的关系研究

对2364门大学课程的评估结果进行分析,从实证角度考察了大学教师的教学效果和科研成果之间的关系。研究结果表明,大学教师的科研成果和教学效果呈正相关,教师的科研对教师的教学有促进作用。     

军官心理选拔方法研究与应用

讨论了目前国际上通常采用的军官选拔方法：个人档案、纸笔测验、评价中心、结构式评估;探讨了这些方法的发展、效用和有效性;比较了它们之间的长处和不足,以及这些技术的发展前景;最后本文探讨了各国军官心理选拔方法和特点     

进化心理学的过去和现在

进化心理学这个术语是90年代出现的,它从社会生物学演化而来,声势逐渐壮大。但它的思想起源却可以向前追溯一个多世纪。进化心理学否定了标准社会科学模式,注重对平常问题的研究。解释取向的进化心理学是比较成功的,它作为一种思想方法,已经渗透进心理学之外的许多领域,成就突出的是经济学领域。对进化心理学的批评主要集中在它非经验主义的方法上,但它仍然有巨大潜力。     

工作绩效预测研究述评

文章介绍了国内外有关人格、能力与工作绩效关系研究和工作绩效预测模型研究的最新成果与进展。研究表明,个体的能力、人格等个性特征影响其工作绩效,合适的能力、人格测验能较好的预测其工作绩效,并受到一些中介变量和调节变量的影响。文章提出应从工作绩效结构、预测模型和跨文化研究三个方面加强工作绩效的预测研究     

国外本土心理学研究进展

首先指出本土心理学产生的思想基础是后现代主义思潮和多元文化的理念,其直接的推动力是来自于心理学内部对严格的行为主义的局限的批判和对具有文化契合性的心理学的倡导以及心理学应用方面的需要;其次,阐明了本土心理学与心理学本土化涵义上的区别和本土心理学4种主要研究模式;最后,对本土心理学的积极作用和存在的问题进行了评述。.