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The qualitative imagination in counseling psychology: Enhancing methodological rigor across methods.Journal of Counseling Psychology Apr 2021Fifteen years have passed since the publication of a landmark issue of the Journal of Counseling Psychology on qualitative and mixed methods research (Haverkamp et al.,...
Fifteen years have passed since the publication of a landmark issue of the Journal of Counseling Psychology on qualitative and mixed methods research (Haverkamp et al., 2005), which signaled a methodological shift in counseling psychology and related fields. At the time, qualitative research was certainly less popular in the field and arguably less respected than it is now. This special issue charts advances in qualitative and mixed methods research since the publication of that issue, reflects on how these diverse approaches are conducted today, and points toward new methodological frontiers. The articles in this special issue include a range of methodological tools and theoretical perspectives that extend thinking about the ethics, practice, evaluation, and implications of psychological research. Notably, the articles are linked by a shared commitment to conducting psychological research critically-that is, to both critique dominant norms in the discipline and to sensitize psychological methods to power and inequality-and to advancing social justice. In this introduction, the guest editors survey authors' contributions and synthesize their insights to offer recommendations for future qualitative and mixed methods work in the field, particularly in terms of interdisciplinarity, methodological rigor, critical psychology, and social justice. They propose that counseling psychologists should cultivate a "qualitative imagination" with respect to all forms of empirical research (qualitative and quantitative) and offer specific guidance for enhancing methodological sophistication and sensitivity to power. Accordingly, this special issue is an important opportunity to set an agenda for the next decade-plus of critical inquiry in counseling psychology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Counseling; Humans; Imagination; Male; Psychology; Qualitative Research; Social Justice
PubMed: 34043372
DOI: 10.1037/cou0000560 -
Acta Psychologica Sep 2020Studying social modulation of cognitive processes holds much promise for illuminating how, where, when and why social factors influence how we perceive and act in the... (Review)
Review
Studying social modulation of cognitive processes holds much promise for illuminating how, where, when and why social factors influence how we perceive and act in the world, as well as providing insight into the underlying cognitive mechanisms. This is no small objective; it reflects an ambitious programme of research. At present, based on the modal theoretical and methodological approach, we suggest that several challenges exist to achieving such lofty aims. These challenges span an overreliance on a simplistic dichotomy between "top-down" and "bottom-up" modulation, a lack of specificity about mechanisms that renders clear interpretations difficult, and theories that largely test against null hypotheses. We suggest that these challenges present several opportunities for new research and we encourage the field to abandon simplistic dichotomies and connect much more with existing research programmes such as semantics, memory and attention, which have all built diverse research platforms over many decades and that can help shape how social modulation is conceptualised and studied from a cognitive and brain perspective. We also outline ways that stronger theoretical positions can be taken, which avoid comparing to null hypotheses, and endorse methodological reform through fully embracing proposals from the open science movement and "credibility revolution". We feel that by taking these opportunities, the field will have a better chance of reaching its potential to build a cumulative science of social modulation that can inform understanding of basic cognitive and brain systems, as well as real-life social interactions and the varied abilities observed across the Autism Spectrum.
Topics: Attention; Brain; Cognition; Emotions; Humans; Memory; Psychology; Research
PubMed: 32623130
DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2020.103118 -
The American Psychologist Nov 2020Although classic models of implementation emphasized the importance of innovation characteristics in their adoption and sustained use, contemporary implementation... (Review)
Review
Although classic models of implementation emphasized the importance of innovation characteristics in their adoption and sustained use, contemporary implementation research and practice have deprioritized these variables. Human-centered design (HCD) is an approach that grounds product development in information collected about the people and settings that will ultimately use those products. HCD has strong roots in psychological theory, but its application is typically limited to the development of digital technologies. HCD is rarely applied to the design of psychosocial innovations-including both service-recipient-facing interventions and implementation strategies-within the applied psychological disciplines. The current article reviews the psychological origins of HCD and details pathways through which HCD theories and methods can be leveraged to advance the "core tasks" of contemporary implementation research and practice in psychology. These include (a) identification of multilevel implementation determinants through specification of user needs and contexts; (b) tailoring of implementation strategies, such as contextually driven intervention redesign; and (c) evaluating implementation mechanisms and outcomes, including disentangling how the core HCD focus on usability relates to closely associated implementation variables such as acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness. Collectively, these applications provide directions through which to leverage the mature field of HCD, maximize psychology's return on its early theoretical investment, and promote the large-scale impact of findings from across the applied fields of psychology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Humans; Implementation Science; Psychology
PubMed: 33252945
DOI: 10.1037/amp0000652 -
PsyCh Journal Feb 2022Psychology in China has a long past, but a rather short history. Modern psychology was introduced to China in the early 20th century soon, psychology as a scientific... (Review)
Review
Psychology in China has a long past, but a rather short history. Modern psychology was introduced to China in the early 20th century soon, psychology as a scientific discipline was established when the teaching, research, and academic exchanges began. Specifically, applied psychology was established until the last decade of the 20th century; however, the past 30 years have witnessed the fast growth of applied psychology in China. In this article, we briefly introduce the history of psychology in China, its establishment as a discipline and a profession, and present some applications of psychology in the domains of public mental health as well as in educational and organizational settings.
Topics: China; Humans; Psychology; Psychology, Applied
PubMed: 35182028
DOI: 10.1002/pchj.519 -
School Psychology (Washington, D.C.) Nov 2020School psychology has been criticized for limited attention to and limited evidence-based resources for diverse populations in domestic and international settings, in...
School psychology has been criticized for limited attention to and limited evidence-based resources for diverse populations in domestic and international settings, in part because of its foundations on psychological knowledge generated primarily in North America and Western Europe. Moreover, in the past 25 years, the profession has made insufficient progress in changing its focus toward an ecological systems perspective as initially envisioned by Conoley and Gutkin in 1995 and revisited in this issue. In this article, we embrace and expand that vision to include the infusion of global and intercultural perspectives into school psychology research, training, practice, policy, and advocacy as a means to address cultural diversity within local contexts across the globe, with a particular focus on school psychology within the United States. We begin with a discussion of terminology that addresses international and cross-cultural issues related to diversity. We then examine past and present perspectives and approaches to cultural diversity and globalization within school psychology and propose future directions for research, training, practice, policy, and advocacy within a global-intercultural perspective. We conclude with our reflections about transforming school psychology and school psychologists. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Anniversaries and Special Events; Competency-Based Education; Cultural Diversity; Curriculum; Evidence-Based Practice; Humans; North America; Psychology, Clinical; Psychology, Educational; Societies, Scientific; United States
PubMed: 33444057
DOI: 10.1037/spq0000403 -
Current Opinion in Organ Transplantation Dec 2019The present review examines psychosocial factors emerging as predictive of clinical outcomes among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, with possible extensions to... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The present review examines psychosocial factors emerging as predictive of clinical outcomes among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, with possible extensions to vascular composite allograft (VCA) and hand transplantation, in particular. The Chauvet Workgroup report and International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation consensus guidelines are used to delineate areas of commonality between SOT and VCA, as well as unique features contributing to post-VCA psychosocial risk.
RECENT FINDINGS
Increasing evidence suggests that depression, cognitive function, and other posttransplant psychosocial factors consistently associate with clinical risk in SOT. However, the mechanisms precipitating these psychosocial risk factors are likely diverse in their cause, with large individual differences across SOT and VCA. Transdiagnostic dimensions may serve as mechanistic factors, increasing the risk of adverse clinical outcomes and suggesting potential treatment strategies for risk mitigation. Psychosocial dimensions including psychological flexibility, self-efficacy, and posttraumatic growth are discussed as potential contributory factors.
SUMMARY
Psychosocial factors hold importance in predicting posttransplant clinical outcomes. Emerging transdiagnostic factors may provide insight into mechanisms and potential treatments.
Topics: Hand Transplantation; Humans; Organ Transplantation; Prognosis; Psychology; Risk Factors
PubMed: 31689261
DOI: 10.1097/MOT.0000000000000712 -
Biological Psychology Jul 2024Fifty years ago, in a trenchant analysis that challenged applied lie detection theory and science, David Lykken (1974) brought polygraphic interrogation methods to the... (Review)
Review
Fifty years ago, in a trenchant analysis that challenged applied lie detection theory and science, David Lykken (1974) brought polygraphic interrogation methods to the attention of academia with the hope that these techniques would come under the purview of psychology and psychophysiology. In this perspective, I examine how this application of psychophysiology has evolved over the last half century and how its status has changed for 1) the comparison (control) question test (CQT), used in forensic applications; 2) polygraph screening tests, used to evaluate examinee integrity; and 3) the concealed information technique (CIT), used to assess recognition memory of crime details. The criticisms of the CQT and screening tests advanced by Lykken have been amplified and focused by the academic community over the last half century. However, this has had little effect on how these methods are practiced and has not curtailed their use. Although most private sector employee screening tests are now prohibited, personnel screening of government employees has increased, and screening tests of sex offenders are now commonplace. Even though the CIT has captured the interest of psychophysiologists as a scientifically defensible technique, its field use is negligible. A primary purpose of polygraphic interrogations continues to be the extraction of admissions and confessions. The lack of change in the polygraph testing status quo stems in large part from unwavering government support for the use of these methods. As a result, polygraph theory and research support continues to rest on shaky ground while practice continues unfettered by valid criticism.
Topics: Humans; Lie Detection; History, 20th Century; Deception; History, 21st Century; Psychology; Forensic Psychology
PubMed: 38718884
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2024.108808 -
Research on Child and Adolescent... Jan 2021The current editorial outlines the reasoning that went into changing the name of the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology to Research on Child and Adolescent...
The current editorial outlines the reasoning that went into changing the name of the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology to Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. Connotations of the term "abnormal" have changed, since it was first used for the journal title in 1973. It is now frequently interpreted as describing the person, and not the condition that he or she has. It also does not currently promote the view that the person needs professional intervention but is often interpreted as indicating that the person is defective in some way. The new name of the journal was not intended to promote any single way of conceptualizing mental health problems but to provide a name that captures the significant distress and impairment experienced by persons with serious psychological difficulties, recognizes the need for professional intervention for these individuals, and attempts to minimize potential harmful effects of labelling. This name change is embedded in a broader appeal for mental health professionals to be sensitive to how labels can reinforce the stigma associated with mental health problems and to work to change the stigma that is associated with such problems in most modern societies.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Family; Humans; Mental Disorders; Psychology, Adolescent; Psychology, Child; Psychopathology
PubMed: 33368024
DOI: 10.1007/s10802-020-00718-4 -
Perspectives on Psychological Science :... May 2023In the United States, White samples are often portrayed as if their racial identities were inconsequential to their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and research... (Review)
Review
In the United States, White samples are often portrayed as if their racial identities were inconsequential to their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and research findings derived from White samples are often portrayed as if they were generalizable to all humans. We argue that these and other practices are rooted in a "White = neutral" framework (i.e., the conceptualization of White samples as nonracial). First, we review existing data and present some new data to highlight the scope of the White = neutral framework. Second, we integrate research from across psychological science to argue that the continued use of the White = neutral framework will prevent psychology from becoming a truly objective and inclusive science for at least three reasons: (a) Research with White samples will be valued over research with samples of color, (b) norms that maintain White neutrality will remain unchallenged, and (c) the role of White identity in psychological processes will remain underspecified and underexamined. Third, we provide recommendations for how to move beyond the White = neutral framework in hopes of encouraging all psychological scientists to move toward a White ≠ neutral framework in which all samples are identified for the unique and diverse perspectives that they bring to the world.
Topics: Humans; United States; White; Research Design; Psychology
PubMed: 35981299
DOI: 10.1177/17456916221077117 -
The American Psychologist 2022The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines health disparities as "preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities...
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines health disparities as "preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations." Health disparities are often the result of persistent unjust policies and discriminatory practices that increase the risk of vulnerable populations for poor health. Environmental, social, and behavioral factors-all areas of psychology's expertise-contribute to health disparities in interacting ways. This article describes health disparities, including the evidence for them, the role that psychology and the American Psychological Association (APA) can play in addressing the health disparities, and the work of the APA Presidential Task Force on Psychology and Health Equity, including the APA Resolution on Psychology and Health Equity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Health Equity; Humans; Psychology; Societies, Scientific; Vulnerable Populations
PubMed: 35878089
DOI: 10.1037/amp0001019