PARADIGMS OF BELIEF, THEORY AND METATHEORY

Abstract. My account of the recent turnabout in the treatment of mental states in science and its basis in a modified concept of causal determinism and my claim that this opens the way for beliefs and values consistent with science are here reaffirmed in response to perceived weaknesses and "inherent incompleteness." Contested issues are reviewed to better clarify the main thesis. An inherent weakness in respect to deep spiritual needs is recognized and tentative remedial measures explored.     

An examination of the differential relationship of marital discord to parents' discipline strategies for boys and girls

Previous research has tentatively indicated that coercive, ineffective parenting might have a mediating role in the differential impact of marital discord on boys and girls. To further explore this role, we examined the relationship between children's perceptions of marital discord and their evaluations of parental discipline techniques. Ninety-one children aged 8 to 13 years (mean age: 11 years 4 months) were split into high, moderate, and low perceived marital discord on the basis of their responses to the Children's Perceptions Questionnaire (Emery & O'Leary, 1982). The children rated how coercive they believed both mothers and fathers would and should be in three discipline situations. Children with high marital discord indicated that both mothers and fathers would and should use more coercive behavior than did children with low marital discord. The effects of marital discord were stronger for boys than for girls. All children also believed that fathers would and should be more coercive than mothers. Results are discussed in relation to the effects of marital discord on children's social development with regard to sex of the child.Thanks are due to Mike Siegal and Pat Noller for their helpful comments on previous drafts.     

A simple technique for lateralizing visual input that allows prolonged viewing

A simplified technique is described for obtaining lateralization of visual input with prolonged viewing. This technique is based on the presence of constant normal lateral limits for horizontal rotation of the eyes with reference to the head. With head movement prevented by use of a standard bite bar, and the eyes rotated to the left and held at their lateral limit, the temporal half of the visual field of the left eye may be used for lateralized input to the right hemisphere or vice versa for input to the left hemisphere. Any form of visual stimuli or visually monitored task can be used if confined within one of the extreme temporal hemifields. In comparison to previous methods, this technique is technically simple, inexpensive, without significant risk or discomfort to the subject, readily applicable to normal and various brain-lesioned subjects, and permits prolonged in-depth viewing. An alternative version of this technique uses a stabilized spectacle frame fitted with adjustable central occluders set to allow vision through only one or both of the extreme temporal hemifields.     

THE INFLUENCE OF MOTIVATING OPERATIONS ON GENERALIZATION PROBES OF SPECIFIC MANDS BY CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

We investigated the influence of motivating operations on the generalization of newly taught mands across settings and communication partners for 3 children with autism. Two conditions were implemented prior to generalization probes. In the first condition, participants were given access to a preferred item until they rejected the item (i.e., abolishing operation). In the second condition, the item was not available to participants prior to generalization probes (i.e., establishing operation). The effects of these conditions on the generalization of newly taught mands were evaluated in a multielement design. Results indicated differentiated responding during generalization probes in which more manding with the target mand was observed following the presession no‐access condition than in the presession access condition. These results support the consideration of motivating operations when assessing generalization of target mands to various untrained contexts.     

The Academic Advantage of Devotion: Measuring Variation in the Value of Weekly Worship in Late Adolescence on Educational Attainment Using Propensity Score Matching

This study measures the effect of regular worship attendance at age 17 on total years of schooling by age 25, using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997. Expanding on previous work, this study estimates differences in the impact of worship attendance by race and family income status using propensity score matching. Individuals who frequently attend religious services complete .69 more years of schooling than similar individuals who do not frequently attend services. There are significantly greater returns to attendance for low‐income youth and no significant difference in returns by religious affiliation. These findings suggest that religious observance provides greater benefits for low‐income individuals or perhaps provides resources high‐income individuals have access to elsewhere. Moreover, this study extends previous work by examining a more recent and nationally representative sample of youth and by using methods that allow for greater causal inference.     

Online counselling: learning from writing therapy

Online counselling is new and still contentious, with little UK-based research available to practitioners, providers or potential clients. This article aims to extend an earlier review of some of the research into writing therapy \[Wright &; Chung (2001) Mastery or mystery? Therapeutic writing: a review of the literature, British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 29(3), 277-291] and to indicate how it could be applied to online counselling. It also refers to some of the literature on online counselling, which, together with the writing therapy research, informed the decision to offer an online service to staff in a university setting.     

Writing About Clients: An Overview of Ethical and Professional Issues in Clinical Case Reports

This introductory article establishes a context for subsequent articles and commentaries regarding the main ethical and professional issues involved in preparing and publishing clinical case reports. An overview is provided of the 4 articles in the special section along with the 2 commentaries that review and critique these articles.     

Improving Health Education for Women Who Carry an <Emphasis Type="Italic">FMR1</Emphasis> Premutation

Women who carry an FMR1 (i.e., fragile X) premutation have specific health risks over their lifetime. However, little is known about their experience understanding these risks and navigating their health needs. The aim of this study was to use qualitative analysis to uncover both barriers and facilitators to personal healthcare using a framework of the Health Belief Model. Five focus groups were conducted with a total of 20 women who carry the FMR1 premutation using a semi-structured discussion guide. All sessions were transcribed verbatim and independently coded by two researchers. The coders used a deductive – inductive approach to determine the prominent themes related to the participants’ experiences seeking healthcare for premutation-related conditions. Salient barriers to personal healthcare included difficult clinical translation of research findings, lack of knowledge among healthcare providers and among the women themselves, different priorities, and shortage of premutation-specific support and targeted educational materials. Facilitators included family members, national and community support organizations, research studies, compassionate physicians, and other premutation carriers. Addressing barriers to personal healthcare through up-to-date educational materials can help diminish misperceptions regarding health risks. Targeted educational materials will aid in information sharing and awareness for women who carry the FMR1 premutation and their physicians.