scholarly journals Illusory essences: A bias holding back theorizing in psychological science

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron Brick ◽  
Bruce Hood ◽  
Vebjørn Ekroll ◽  
Lee de-Wit
Keyword(s):  
Biological Psychology ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Complex Phenomenon ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Category Labels ◽  
Vital Forces ◽  
Holding Back

The reliance in psychology on verbal definitions means that psychological research is unusually moored to how humans think and communicate about categories. Psychological concepts (e.g., intelligence; attention) are easily assumed to represent objective, definable categories with an underlying essence. Like the 'vital forces' previously thought to animate life, these assumed essences can create an illusion of understanding. We describe a pervasive tendency across psychological science to assume that essences explain phenomena by synthesizing a wide range of research lines from cognitive, clinical, and biological psychology and neuroscience. Labeling a complex phenomenon can appear as theoretical progress before sufficient evidence that the described category has a definable essence or known boundary conditions. Category labels can further undermine progress by masking contingent and contextual relationships and obscuring the need to specify mechanisms. Finally, we highlight examples of promising methods that circumvent the lure of essences and we suggest four concrete strategies to identify and avoid essentialist intuitions in theory development.

The Goldwater Rule: Perspectives From, and Implications for, Psychological Science

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
scott lilienfeld ◽  
Josh Miller ◽  
Donald Lynam
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Clinical Judgment ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Psychiatric Status ◽  
Public Figures ◽  
Duty To Inform

When, if ever, should psychological scientists be permitted to offer professional opinions concerning the mental health of public figures they have never directly examined? This contentious question, which attracted widespread public attention during the 1964 U.S. presidential election involving Barry Goldwater, received renewed scrutiny during and after the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, when many mental health professionals raised pointed questions concerning the psychiatric status of Donald Trump. Although the Goldwater Rule prohibits psychiatrists from offering diagnostic opinions on individuals they have never examined, no comparable rule exists for psychologists. We contend that, owing largely to the Goldwater Rule’s origins in psychiatry, a substantial body of psychological research on assessment and clinical judgment, including work on the questionable validity of unstructured interviews, the psychology of cognitive biases, and the validity of informant reports and of L (lifetime) data, has been overlooked in discussions of its merits. We conclude that although the Goldwater Rule may have been defensible several decades ago, it is outdated and premised on dubious scientific assumptions. We further contend that there are select cases in which psychological scientists with suitable expertise may harbor a “duty to inform,” allowing them to offer informed opinions concerning public figures’ mental health with appropriate caveats.

Intersectionality as a Framework for Theory and Research in Feminist Psychology

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah R. Warner ◽  
Stephanie A. Shields
Keyword(s):  
Social Activism ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Social Identities ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Science Practices ◽  
Intersectionality Theory ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Psychological Theories ◽  
History Of

Intersectionality theory concerns the interdependence of systems of inequality and implications for psychological research. Social identities cannot be studied independently of one another nor separately from the societal processes that maintain inequality. In this chapter we provide a brief overview of the history of intersectionality theory and then address how intersectionality theory challenges the way psychological theories typically conceive of the person, as well as the methods of data gathering and analysis customarily used by many psychologists. We specifically address two concerns often expressed by feminist researchers. First, how to reconcile the use of an intersectionality framework with currently-valued psychological science practices. Second, how intersectionality transforms psychology’s concern with individual experience by shifting the focus to the individual’s position within sociostructural frameworks and their social and political underpinnings. In a concluding section we identify two future directions for intersectionality theory: how psychological research on intersectionality can facilitate social activism, and current developments in intersectionality theory.

History of Sexual Orientation and Mental Health

2020 ◽  
pp. 9-24
Author(s):  
Kristin A. Hancock ◽  
Douglas C. Haldeman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Movements ◽  
International Policy ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Aids Epidemic ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
The Impact

Psychology’s understanding of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people has evolved, become more refined, and impacted the lives of LGB people in profound ways. This chapter traces the history of LGB psychology from the nineteenth century to the present and focuses on major events and the intersections of theory, psychological science, politics, and activism in the history of this field. It explores various facets of cultural and psychological history that include the pathologizing of homosexuality, the rise of psychological science and the political movements in the mid-twentieth century, and the major shifts in policy that ensued. The toll of the AIDS epidemic on the field is discussed as is the impact of psychological research on national and international policy and legislation.

Conceptualizing Qualitative Data

2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232110249
Author(s):  
Alex Broom
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Wide Range

Qualitative research is practiced across diverse disciplines and contexts, and this produces a wide range of perspectives on the role of conceptualization and theory development. It also results in a hugely varied mix of submissions to qualitative research journals in terms of their level of conceptual elevation. This editorial explores why we conceptualize qualitative data, and some common challenges evident in current qualitative practice.

scholarly journals METHODOLOGY OF COMPLEX AND INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCHES IN MODERN PSYCHOLOGY

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-45
Author(s):  
Vladimir A. MAZILOV
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Research ◽  
Scientific Concept ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Modern Psychology ◽  
Adequate Understanding ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Moment

The article is devoted to the evaluation of perspectives of interdisciplinary researches using in psychological science in modern conditions. There are formulated approaches that let to improve the efficiency of interdisciplinary researches. Although this issue has received considerable attention of researchers, the problem is not solved at the moment. The theory of complex psychological researches as a scientific concept, reflecting the specificity of psychological research has not been developed yet. The reason for this is that researchers try to develop the principles of organization and procedure of this kind of researches. It is possible to develop the methodology and theory of complex psychological researches, based on the understanding of the subject of psychology. It is alleged that at present time the most adequate understanding of the subject of psychology is his interpretation like the subjective world of human.

Digital Traces: New Data, Resources, and Tools for Psychological-Science Research

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 560-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anat Rafaeli ◽  
Shelly Ashtar ◽  
Daniel Altman
Keyword(s):  
Research Methods ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Data Sources ◽  
Human Psychology ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Large Scale Data ◽  
Scale Data

New technologies create and archive digital traces—records of people’s behavior—that can supplement and enrich psychological research. Digital traces offer psychological-science researchers novel, large-scale data (which reflect people’s actual behaviors), rapidly collected and analyzed by new tools. We promote the integration of digital-traces data into psychological science, suggesting that it can enrich and overcome limitations of current research. In this article, we review helpful data sources, tools, and resources and discuss challenges associated with using digital traces in psychological research. Our review positions digital-traces research as complementary to traditional psychological-research methods and as offering the potential to enrich insights on human psychology.

Occupational Therapy Theory Development: Knowledge and Values Held by Recent Graduates

1981 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Van Deusen Fox
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Certificate Programs ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Recent Graduates ◽  
Chi Square Analysis

A random sample of recently certified occupational therapists was surveyed regarding their value positions. Results indicated that personal development of occupational therapy theory held low priority relative to other aspects of occupational therapy. Chi square analysis showed that those therapists who obtained their basic professional education in masters' or certificate programs valued theory development significantly more than their baccalaureate educated peers. Results also showed that newly certified occupational therapists did not have knowledge of a wide range of occupational therapy theorists and that such knowledge was unrelated to value position toward theory development.

Climate change and adaptive capacity in the Western Australian rangelands: a review of current institutional responses

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellena Shaw ◽  
G. Bradd Witt
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Adaptive Capacity ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Institutional Support ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Agricultural Industries ◽  
Western Australian

This research analysed contemporary publications concerning climate change adaptation in the agricultural systems of the Western Australian rangelands. The term ‘systems’ refers to the supportive economic and social systems as well as agricultural industries. The aim of the study was to evaluate how the adaptive capacity of agricultural systems is supported given the anticipated challenges of climatic changes. The conceptual framework of adaptive capacity was employed to evaluate progress towards improving adaptation and resilience. Eight key indicators of adaptive capacity formed the evaluative criteria, and were applied to a wide range of publicly available documents relevant to the Western Australian rangelands. Progress towards building adaptive capacity was also evaluated by classifying the documents as ‘aspirational’, ‘in action’ or ‘assessed’. The institutional support for adaptive capacity was found to be adequate, as there was sufficient evidence that relevant institutions were providing mechanisms for social, economic and environmental adaptation in the face of climate change. The viability of the agricultural systems of the Western Australian rangelands has been in decline for some time and, therefore, the degree to which efforts to improve adaptive capacity have been successful was difficult to assess. There were methodological limitations of this research due to the limited breadth of available data and subjectivity within the data analysis process, which may have inhibited the accuracy of the findings and recommendations. Also difficulties inherent in quantifying social, economic and environmental processes at differing geographic and temporal scales, were apparent. This raises important questions regarding the extent to which the literature is able to appropriately reflect actual adaptation within the rangelands, and the extent to which stakeholders (community, pastoralists and regional organisations) perceive that adequate institutional support is being provided.

scholarly journals Felodipine in Treatment of Arterial Hypertension and Ischemic Heart Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 654-662
Author(s):  
O. D. Ostroumova ◽  
I. A. Alautdinova ◽  
A. I. Kochetkov ◽  
S. N. Litvinova
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Ischemic Heart Disease ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Ischemic Heart ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
First Line ◽  
Wide Range

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death both in the world and in the Russian Federation. The most significant contributors to the increase in mortality are arterial hypertension (AH) and ischemic heart disease (IHD). Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are the first line of treatment for these conditions. This is noted in the clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AH and in the guidelines for the management of patients with chronic coronary syndromes. CCBs are a heterogeneous group of drugs that have both general and individual pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. They are used in patients with AH and/or IHD, including those with concomitant diseases (diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral arterial disease). Felodipine is one of the CCBs. It has a combination of clinical effects, allowing the drug to be prescribed as a first-line therapy for AH, IHD and a combination of these diseases. This is noted in the registered indications for its use. This CCB has a sufficient evidence base of clinical trials demonstrating not only good antihypertensive and antianginal potential of the drug, but also the nephroprotection and cerebroprotection properties. The nephroprotective effect of felodipine is associated with a slowdown in the progression of chronic kidney disease, and the cerebroprotective effect is associated with a decrease in the risk of stroke and an improvement in cognitive functioning. The safety profile of felodipine is favorable: peripheral edema develops much less frequently. This is confirmed by the results of comparative studies. Felodipine is recommended for a wide range of patients with AH, IHD and their combination due to such clinical and pharmacological properties.

Optimization of Taxation and Accounting As a Condition of Small Innovative Business Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 67-75
Author(s):  
M. Protasov ◽  
A. Aynazarov ◽  
R. Ahmadeev ◽  
T. Morozova
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Development ◽  
Deterrent Effect ◽  
Small Enterprises ◽  
Accounting System ◽  
Complex Effect ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Tax Benefits ◽  
Holding Back ◽  
The Impact

The article assesses the impact of the tax burden and optimization of the accounting system on the deterrent effect of choosing an innovative direction of activity by small businesses. Based on the results of the study, it was determined that the range of tax benefits and simplifications for accounting provided is quite a wide range and cannot be a deterrent to choosing an innovative type of activity. At the same time, a rather low innovative activity of small business was noted. Despite the fact that small innovative business has the ability to optimize taxation and accounting, many other factors have a complex effect on the choice of companies' activities, which leads to the effect of holding back the development of small enterprises in the innovative sector of the economy.

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