Inventing Psychology's Past: E.G. Boring's Historiography
in Relation to the Psychology of his Time
Barry N. Kelly, University of Winnipeg
The Journal of Mind and Behavior, Autumn 1981, Vol. 2, No. 3, Pages 229-242,
ISSN 0271-0137
Boring's eminence as a historian of psychology has sometimes obscured the fact that
he wrote his histories from a very specific historiographic view. This meant that
both his interpretation of the past and his hopes for the psychology of the future
were influenced by specific political and administrative and methodological purposes
in the organization of the psychology of his time. This paper explores some
of these issues by examining the relationship between Boring's selective historiographic
principles and the kinds of psychology he favored as being most truly scientific.
Requests for reprints should be sent to B.N. Kelly, Department of Psychology,
University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 2E9.
The Psychodynamics of the Navajo Coyoteway Ceremonial
Daniel Merkur, York University
The Journal of Mind and Behavior, Autumn 1981, Vol. 2, No. 3, Pages 243-258,
ISSN 0271-0137
The traditional hunting ritualism of the Navajo Indians, as reconstructed from ethnological
literature, uses symbolic lycanthropy to produce catharsis of the horror and guilt
of the hunt. When the psychogenic function of the ritualism fails, hunting neurosis
develops, taking a form described in myth as a transformation into Coyote. Religious
lycanthropy inspires the symbolism of repetition-compulsions. The Coyoteway ceremonial
addresses the neurosis by re-inducing lycanthropy before exorcising the possessing
god, Coyote. This enactment of an ecstatic rite of initiation into hunting ritualism
provides insights into the origin and artificial nature of the neurosis, channels
guilt outward by exteriorizing Coyote (a symbol for guilt), and provides a format
for working through these matters. The native psychotherapy of the Navajo Chanter
provides a cure, rather than a remission of symptoms alone.
Requests for reprints should be sent to Daniel Merkur, Department of Interdisciplinary
Studies, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Hemispheric Asymmetry as Indexed by Differences
in Direction of Initial Conjugate Lateral Eye-Movements (CLEMs) in Response to Verbal,
Spatial, and Emotional Tasks
Kenneth Hugdahl and Horst E. Carlgren, University of Uppsala
The Journal of Mind and Behavior, Autumn 1981, Vol. 2, No. 3, Pages 259-270,
ISSN 0271-0137
Following previous research showing frequency and direction of conjugate lateral
eye-movements (CLEMs) to be a valid indicator of hemispheric asymmetry (Schwartz,
Davidson, & Maer, 1975), the purpose of the present experiment was to investigate
frequency and direction of CLEMs in relation to verbal, spatial, and emotional tasks.
The basic design was a
Requests for reprints should be sent to Kenneth Hugdahl, Department of Psychology,
University of Uppsala, Box 227, S-75104 Uppsala, Sweden.
Approaches to Consciousness in North American
Academic Psychology
John Osborne, University of Alberta
The Journal of Mind and Behavior, Autumn 1981, Vol. 2, No. 3, Pages 271-292,
ISSN 0271-0137
This paper argues that increased interest in consciousness, in North American academic
psychology, has not been accompanied by an appreciation of the possible value in
approaching such an inscrutable subject from several perspectives. Inadequacies of
dialectics and materialism, as currently powerful influences upon approaches to consciousness,
are discussed. Some of the difficulties of current approaches to consciousness within
the field of cognitive psychology are also discussed. Subjective approaches to consciousness,
often criticised as unscientific, are presented as viable alternatives. Recent speculations
about reality, cosmology and brain processes, in the form of a holographic model,
are presented as one new metaphor which may lead to an increased understanding of
consciousness. A plea is made for keeping metaphysical and paradigmatic options open
rather than fortifying current values.
Requests for reprints should be sent to Dr. John Osborne, University of Alberta,
Department of Educational Psychology, 6-102 Education North, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T6G 2G5.
Memory and Literary Structures
Eugene F. Timpe, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
The Journal of Mind and Behavior, Autumn 1981, Vol. 2, No. 3, Pages 293-308,
ISSN 0271-0137
The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that recent findings by psychologists
in the realm of human memory can be useful in describing and explaining some of the
elements of written literary expression; they even in fact may contribute to a new
definition of the term "literary." There are two general aspects of the
subject. While many of the rhetorical devices of literary discourse are based upon
STM, it is authorial use of LTM formats which can invest a literary work with credibility,
structure, and emphases. STM limits the size of rhetorical elements, shows senstivity
to uniqueness, processes via continuing circulation, and responds to acoustical stimuli
- all of which form bases for a number of rhetorical techniques, including rhyme,
parallelism, and subordination. Contemporary theories on the processes of LTM, on
the other hand, provide explanations for the most common prose narrative schemata.
For characterization and dialogue, use of the LTM mode for recall of the whole through
one of the parts (external, integral, or contextual) lends credence to literary works.
Additionally, dramatic emphases within narrational patterns can be sharpened when
time is provided in the literary structure for memory trace consolidation in LTM.
Requests for reprints should be sent to Eugene Timpe, Ph.D., Department of Foreign
Languages and Literatures, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901.
Identity Status in Politically Active Pro and
Anti ERA Women
Sandra Prince-Embury, Pennsylvania State University, Capitol Campus, and Iva E. Deutchman,
University of Pennsylvania
The Journal of Mind and Behavior, Autumn 1981, Vol. 2, No. 3, Pages 309-322,
ISSN 0271-0137
Interviews of twelve politically active, female proponents and opponents of the Equal
Rights Amendment were content analyzed for differences in identity status as indicated
by relative adherence to parental attitudes, idalization of parent figures, and absoluteness
in thinking. Proponents gave more manifestation of Achievement identity status; opponents
gave more manifestation of Foreclosure identity status. Theoretical implications
of relating identity status to the Equal Rights Amendment are discussed.
Requests for reprints should be sent to Sandra Prince-Embury, Ph.D., Community
Psychology Program, Pennsylvania State University, The Capitol Campus, Middletown,
Pennsylvania 17057.
Role Playing and Personality Changes in House-Tree-Persons
Drawings
Gertrude R. Schmeidler, City College of the City University of New York
The Journal of Mind and Behavior, Autumn 1981, Vol. 2, No. 3, Pages 323-330,
ISSN 0271-0137
To examine needs for esteem or achievement versus safety, 50 psychology students
were asked to assume an active (intrusive) and a quiet (incorporative) role for House-Tree-Persons
drawings. Each subject made all three drawings in both roles. To find whether role
behavior showed merely cognitive appraisal of appropriate reponses, i.e., simulation,
or showed a mood shift as if subjects were "living their roles," an unobtrusive
measure was used. Subjects were told to write their names on the back of each drawing,
ostensibly for identification. For 45 subjects not aware that their 6 signatures
might be a reponse measure, signatures were significantly larger in the active than
the quiet role. This indicates that they had an authentic mood change with the changed
role enactment. Tree drawings werw a second unobtrusive measure. As hypothesized,
they shifted significantly between open, erect trees in the active role and closed
or drooping trees in the quiet role. This suggests that role playing can usefully
supplement single personality tests to indicate the range of an individual's reaction
in different situations, and thus measure his or her flexibility.
Requests for reprints should be sent to Dr. Gertrude Schmeidler, The City College
of the City University of New York, Department of Psychology, Convent Avenue at 138th
Street, New York City, New York 10031.
The Reality of Operationism: A Rejoinder
Howard H. Kendler, University of California, Santa Barbara
The Journal of Mind and Behavior, Autumn 1981, Vol. 2, No. 3, Pages 331-342,
ISSN 0271-0137
Leahey's view of operationism (1980), offered with the framework of his conception
of philosophy of science, ignores the merits of operational definitions in revealing
the observational base of concepts and in facilitating communication. These merits
are revealed in a methodological analysis of operationism from the viewpoint of the
researcher. Brief operational analyses of the concepts of intelligence and
self-actualization illustrate the positive contributions of operationism.
Operational definitions do not, however, give the "full meaning" of concepts.
It is necessary to distinguish between four kinds of meanings: operational, empirical,
intuitive, and theoretical. Within this context operationism can contribute to the
understanding of scientific concepts.
Requests for reprints should be sent to Howard H. Kendler, Ph.D., Department
of Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106.
Operationism Still Isn't Real: A Temporary Reply
to Kendler
Thomas H. Leahey, Virginia Commonwealth University
The Journal of Mind and Behavior, Autumn 1981, Vol. 2, No. 3, Pages 343-348,
ISSN 0271-0137
Kendler's defense of operationism is briefly rebutted, pending a fuller reply. After
a few minor disagreements are dispensed with, problems with Kendler's account are
raised. It is argued that Kendler's own examples of operational definition either
demonstrate that when useful, they aren't operational, or when operational, they
aren't useful. Nor does my critique depend on Kuhnian repudiation of "immaculate
perception." Most importantly, however, Kendler's attempt to detach operationism
from its philosophical context merely smuggles that context into psychology unexamined.
Requests for reprints should be sent to Tom Leahey, Department of Psychology,
Virginia Commonwealth University, 810 West Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23284.
Book Review ª Psychobattery: A Chronicle
of Psychotherapeutic Abuse
Therese Spitzer. Clifton, New Jersey: The Humana Press, 1980
Reviewed by Raymond C. Russ, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of North
Florida, Jacksonville, Florida
The Journal of Mind and Behavior, Autumn 1981, Vol. 2, No. 3, Pages 349-352,
ISSN 0271-0137
[Note: First paragraph, no abstract available.] Although a bit weighted in case studies,
which hint at obvious self-selection of material with the author's bias firmly in
mind, Psychobattery is a well organized, competently written book. Ironically,
the chapter this reviewer had the freatest difficulty with was Chapter Five, written
from the medical viewpoint by the author's husband, who is also a physician. Statements
that are primed to convince the reader that the medical approach is not only the
most logical approach that a practitioner must adopt in the treatment of mental disease,
but also the most fundamental, leaves me shaking my head at a pedanticism that is
a bit too obvious. For example, in Chapter Five the author writes: "No one,
of course, suggests that people must keep their own diseased hearts, livers, kidneys,
or gall bladders in line without pills"
Book Review ª The Eagle's Gift
Carlos Castaneda. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1981
Reviewed by Edward M. Covello, Pacific-Sierra Research Corporation, Santa Monica,
California
The Journal of Mind and Behavior, Autumn 1981, Vol. 2, No. 3, Pages 353-356,
ISSN 0271-0137
[Note: First paragraph, no abstract available.] The Eagle's Gift is Castaneda's
sixth book in the don Juan series, and readers will find that it is similar in style
and contents to The Second Ring of Power (Castaneda, 1977). Like the first
five books in the series, The Eagle's Gift can be loosely classified as
anthropological fiction, but can be distinguished from the other books by Castaneda's
attempt at systematizing the religious underpinnings and cosmological significance
of sorcery.
Book Review ª Agoraphobia: Multiform Behavioral
Treatment
S. Fishman. New York: BMA Audio Cassette Publications, 1980
Reviewed by Geoffrey L. Thorpe and Gary S. Barnes, University of Maine, Orono, Maine
The Journal of Mind and Behavior, Autumn 1981, Vol. 2, No. 3, Pages 357-362,
ISSN 0271-0137
[Note: First paragraph, no abstract available.] Agoraphobia is a complex and many-faceted
syndrome that has presented a strong therapeutic challenge to clinicians of various
theoretical orientations. Often misdefined as "fear of open spaces," agoraphobia
is in fact a cluster of problems centering on fear of the fear reaction itself. Common
foci for concern in agoraphobia are (1) fear of traveling away from home or safety;
(2) fear of crowded, public places; (3) fear of confinement, or of feeling trapped
(for example, as involved in using an elevator, or even in making a commitment of
some kind); and (4) fear of the panic reaction that may be experienced in any of
these situations (Marks, 1970). It has been suggested that agoraphobics tend to be
passive, dependent individuals who lack a sense of personal resourcefulness or effectiveness;
that they tend also to have difficulties in identifying and classifying their emotional
reactions, often making errors of attribution (regarding anxiety, for example, as
emanating from current surroundings rather than from a recent painful conversation
with a significant other person); and that their phobic problems develop in a climate
of conflict, often interpersonal (Goldstein & Chamless, 1978). Other writers
alert therapists to the likelihood that the agoraphobic client will need additional
treatment for depression, unassertiveness, and marital maladjustment (for a review,
see Thorpe, et al., in press). A controversial issue discussed recently by Hafner
(1976) and other surrounds the agoraphobic's marriage: resolution of the specific
phobic complaints may lead to the emergence of marital crises, or even to "fresh
sympton emergence." Whereas there is evidence of a reciprocity between agoraphobia
and overt marital conflict in some cases (Hand & Lamontagne, 1976), other writers
fail to find such effects even in clients followed-up for four years or more (Emmelkamp
& Kuipers, 1979).
Book Review ª Table of Isotopes
C. Michael Lederer and Virginia S. Shirley (Editors). New York: John Wiley &
Sons, Inc., 1978
Reviewed by C.T. Hess, Associate Professor of Physics, University of Maine, Orono,
Maine
The Journal of Mind and Behavior, Autumn 1981, Vol. 2, No. 3, Pages 363-364,
ISSN 0271-0137
[Note: First paragraph, no abstract available.] The Table of Isoptopes, seventh
edition, by C. Michael Leder and Virginia S. Shirley has changed a great deal since
the Table of Isoptopes, sixth edition, by C. Michael Lederer, Jack M. Hollander,
Isadore Perlman. The contents have changed from 448 pages of radioisotope data and
level properties to 1523 pages of isotopes with a nine page isotope index, and halflife
or abundance list. This is partly due to the increase in number of nuclides from
under 1900 to more than 2600. I find the new lists more complete ub level information
but also more difficult to use for finding a particular branching ration. This is
compensated by the increase in the significant figures for the gamma decay energies.
The mass chains are now reduced in size and the amount of information in lists on
each page is very much increased. The density of levels has increased significantly
for particular nuclides due to use of several experiments for each nuclide. A great
many more high energy states are shown in the new edition, as well as more spins,
parities and branching ratios. Comparisons are given for levels which may be observed
by different reactions, a result which is useful in understanding the particle or
hole nature of the state involved. The deformed shell model assignments are given
for many deformed nuclei which is a change from the sixth edition. The references
are now by journal and date rather than by author name for most cases although some
retain the identity of authors in proceedings of conferences. The author name loss
is somewhat compensated by the smaller size of the reference; but it is hard to remember
the paper; for example,
Book Review ª The Ecology of Human Development:
Experiments by Nature and Design
Urie Brofenbrenner. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1979
Reviewed by Anne L. Hess, Student Health Center, University of Maine, Orono, Maine
The Journal of Mind and Behavior, Autumn 1981, Vol. 2, No. 3, Pages 365-370,
ISSN 0271-0137
[Note: First paragraph, no abstract available.] Dr. Brofenbrenner's contributions
to the field of psychology and to developmental psychology in particular have a very
long and very fine history. This book seems to be the latest contribution and represents
his thinking and synthesizing about the development of human beings probably over
much of his professional life. The book has a tremendous appeal in reflecting some
of the recent trends towards looking at humans not as entities onto themselves but
as being only one part of a very large and complex system. To quote from his own
introductory work, he says "The present work is motivated by my conviction that
further advance in the scientific understanding of the basic intrapsychic and interpersonal
processes of human development requires their investigation in the actual environments
both immediate and remote in which human beings live. This task demands the construction
of a theoretical schema that will permit the systematic description and analysis
of these contexts, their interconnections and the processes through which these structures
and linkages can affect the course of development both directly and indirectly."
Bronfenbrenner has taken on a very large task indeed. Overall, it seems that he has
done an admirable job of attempting to develop such a system.
Book Review ª Clinical and Experimental
Neurology: Proceedings of the Australian Association of Neurologists
John Tyre and Mervyn Eadie (Editors). Baltimore: Unversity Park Press, Volume 14
(1977), Volume 15 (1978), and Volume 16 (1979)
Reviewed by Anne L. Hess, Student Health Center, University of Maine, Orono, Maine
The Journal of Mind and Behavior, Autumn 1981, Vol. 2, No. 3, Pages 371-372,
ISSN 0271-0137
[Note: First paragraph, no abstract available.] This three volume series, the latest
in a longer series, sets forth the papers presented by an extremely diverse group
of researchers and practitioners. The papers range from epidemiological studies and
cast studies to some basic and clinical research. So many authors and papers are
presented that no attempt will be made to review them separately except when a paper
illustrates a particularly interesting point.
Book Review ª UV-A: Biological Effects
of Ultraviolet Radiation with Emphasis on Human Responses to Longware Ultraviolet
John A. Parrish, R. Rox Anderson, Frederich Urbach and Donald Pitts. New York: Plenum
Press, 1978
Reviewed by James A. Rooney, Physics Department, University of Maine, Orono, Maine
The Journal of Mind and Behavior, Autumn 1981, Vol. 2, No. 3, Pages 373-374,
ISSN 0271-0137
[Note: First paragraph, no abstract available.] This book provides a review of current
knowledge about longwave ultraviolet radiation with particular emphasis on human
biological responses and criteria for human exposure. The emphasis in the book is
on effects from the longer wavelength UV-A