Reviews findings of a restandardization project which examined the current validity of the Minnesota Multiphase Personality Inventory (MMPI), an instrument used to test for personality and psychological disorders. States that the MMPI has proved to be a remarkably durable instrument over the 45 years of its use. (ML)

Examines the coverage given to sociobiology in 37 introductory psychology textbooks. Results indicated that most books provided some discussion of sociobiology, but it was typically superficial and there were often significant errors in the interpretation of theory. (Author/JDH)

A training seminar in clinical hypnosis was given to eight health professionals and paraprofessionals. The seminar involved lectures, clinical induction, and the use of hypnosis in supervised settings. A session-by-session account of seminar activities is provided. (Author/PP)

Compared three treatments for modifying Type A coronary-prone behavior pattern (TABP). Comprehensive behavior therapy (CBT), emphasizing self-control procedures, and group support (GS), encouraging change in TABP targets but without behavioral techniques, were contrasted to brief information (BI). Results with healthy male executives (N=38) showed…

Distinguishes between attribution of responsibility for a problem and attribution of responsibility for a solution. Derives four general models that specify what form people's behavior will take when they try either to help others or to help themselves. Also describes competing models of responsibility in education, psychotherapy, law, and…

Explored the degree to which clinicians attributed the client's problems to personality v situational factors. Results supported the hypothesis that previous tentative diagnoses result in personality-based attributions. A recency effect suggested that personality attributions may be lessened by presenting situational information after hearing the…

Historical events in the development of cognitive-behavior therapy with children are reviewed. Suggestions are offered for areas which might be valuable for therapists to consider in the 1980s. (Author/GK)

Analyzes and critiques an attempted application of cognitive dissonance and reactance concepts to a therapy analogue. An experiment by R. M. Gordon is discussed. Key prerequisites for dissonance arousal and for reactance induction were not present. Self-selection of volunteers for treatment is an unreported factor. Gordon replies to this critique.…

Discussed problems and deficiencies in past research on clinical diagnosis, pertaining to sampling problems with regard to clinical subjects studied, adequacy of control groups, base rates, clinical versus statistical significance, lack of cross-validation, and problems due to reliance on inadequate schemes of classification. Future research is…

Focuses on the influence of examiners' level of experience and professional background on grades given in oral and written undergraduate examinations in psychology. Level of experience was found to have no significant effect. Clinical psychologists gave more laudabilis grades on oral exams and academic psychologists on essay exams. (JD)

Describes a study assessing the process of change within students' self-perception and their abilities relative to the performance demands of graduate clinical psychology. Results showed self-perceived confidence and competence to be functions of training for specific behavioral objectives. (Author/CK)

The choice of the clustering method, the similarity measure, the computer program, and the procedure for estimating the number of clusters should be clearly specified in any journal article using cluster analysis. Adequate evidence of a cluster solution's validity should be provided before the solution is published. (Author)

College students viewed religion as a useful "crutch" for relieving anxiety but not as an adaptive solution. Religious solutions were preferred for physical problems. Counselors should use caution in introducing religion as a solution to problems. (JAC)

Agoraphobia patients answered a questionnaire describing anxiety-producing situations. Home environment was associated with supportive company. Situations requiring patients to venture out alone were most anxiety-producing. The overriding importance of a significant other suggests treatment implications. (JAC)

Part of a graduate program in clinical community psychology was subjected to a jury trial as a form of program evaluation. The theory of the trial as evaluation, the problems of implementation, and a post-trial evaluation are discussed. (Author/MH)