Psychologists’ Attitudes Toward EvidenceBased Practices: An Online Study with Child Mental Health Psychologists / Las Actitudes de los Psicólogos Hacia las Prácticas Basadas en la Evidencia (PBE)

Psychologists’ attitudes towards Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) may have an impact in adhering to such practices. The purpose of this study was to analyse the psychometric characteristics of the Portuguese version of the Evidence Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS) (Aarons, 2004). This study also aims to characterize the attitudes of psychologists working in the field of child mental health and analyze the differences in these attitudes according to therapeutic approaches and professional experience. A sample of 71 (93% female) Portuguese psychologists (age M = 37.07, SD = 10.68) completed an online assessment protocol that included the EBPAS and a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic information, therapeutic approaches, and professional experience. The results support the construct validity and reliability of the measure. Portuguese psychologists seem to have more favorable attitudes towards EBPs compared to samples from other countries. When evaluating the differences in these attitudes considering the different variables, the results indicate that psychologists adopting a Cognitive-Behavioral orientation and with less years of professional experience show more favorable attitudes towards EBPs. This research contributes to a wider understanding about the factors that may influence psychologists’ attitudes towards EBPs and thus allow for more effective dissemination and implementation efforts. (AU)

Las actitudes de los psicólogos hacia las Prácticas Basadas en la Evidencia (PBE) pueden tener un impacto en la adhesión a dichas prácticas. El propósito de este estudio fue analizar las características psicométricas de la versión portuguesa de la Escala de Actitudes hacia las Prácticas Basadas en la Evidencia (EBPAS) (Aarons, 2004). Este estudio también pretende caracterizar las actitudes de los psicólogos que trabajan en el área de la salud mental infantil y analizar las diferencias en estas actitudes según los enfoques terapéuticos y la experiencia profesional. Una muestra de 71 (93% mujeres) psicólogos portugueses (edad M = 37.07, DP = 10.68) completaron una evaluación online, incluyendo un cuestionario para recoger información relacionada con las características socio-demográficas del psicólogo, su formación académica y experiencia profesional y el EBPAS. Los resultados apoyan la validez de constructo y la fiabilidad de la medida. Los psicólogos portugueses parecen revelar actitudes más favorables hacia los EBP en comparación con las muestras de otros países. Al evaluar las diferencias en estas actitudes considerando las diferentes variables, los resultados indican que los psicólogos que adoptan una orientación cognitivo-conductual y con menos años de experiencia profesional muestran actitudes más favorables hacia las PBE. Esta investigación contribuye a un mayor conocimiento de las variables que pueden influir en las actitudes de los psicólogos hacia las PBE y, por tanto, permite realizar esfuerzos de difusión e implementación más eficaces. (AU)

Psychological research and practice in former Yugoslavia and its successors.

This paper presents a brief history of Yugoslav psychology and a review of the current state of psychological research and practice in the former Yugoslav countries. Bibliometric mapping was used to explore the knowledge domain and international visibility of psychological research in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia. Judging by the number of papers visible in Scopus, psychological research activity in these countries is similar to the other former communist countries. In a relative sense, it is even higher in Slovenia and Croatia. However, psychologists still rely heavily on national journals indexed in Scopus when publishing their papers. Regarding psychological practice, former Yugoslav countries are facing challenges that are more or less typical for all small countries in the global scientific and economic market. Keeping in mind all the obstacles and traumas in the past decades, it should be considered a success that psychology in the former Yugoslav countries is now a fully established profession and a recognized scientific discipline.

Desafios da avaliação psicológica no Brasil: nova realidade, velhas questões / Challenges for psychological assessment in Brazil: new reality, old issues / Desafíos de la evaluación psicológica en brasil: nueva realidad, viejos interrogantes

A avaliação psicológica (AP) constitui-se como uma um processo técnico-científico auxiliado por múltiplas ferramentas, que apresenta solidez no desenvolvimento de pesquisas que qualificam a prática e a formação em Psicologia. Sua relevância histórica e social é evidente, sendo que seus parâmetros estão em consonância com os mais rigorosos critérios praticados internacionalmente. Por essa via, considera-se que a AP constitui um importante recurso de proteção ao indivíduo e sociedade nos diferentes contextos de atuação. Ainda que apresente notório reconhecimento, há desafios que precisam ser enfrentados. Sob essa perspectiva, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo discutir os principais desafios presentes para uma AP mais qualificada, dentro dos elevados princípios éticos de nossa profissão. O trabalho está organizado de modo a traçar um panorama desses desafios, percorrendo tanto as esferas social, ética, de resoluções do Conselho Federal de Psicologia e de aspectos práticos, visando trazer contribuições que possam, por um lado, problematizar sobre a superação das dificuldades e, por outro, fortalecer ações que se revertam na superação dos desafios que hoje se apresentam.(AU)

Psychological assessment (PA) is a well established area in the development of research that helps to improve the quality of practice and training in psychology. Its historical and social relevance is clear, and its parameters are in line with the most rigorous criteria practiced internationally. In this way, it is considered that the PA protects society in the different contexts of action. Although it is well known, there are challenges that need to be faced. From this perspective, the present work aimed to discuss the main challenges present for quality PA, considering the strict ethical principles of the profession. The work is structured to identify these challenges, covering social and ethical considerations, the resolutions of the Federal Council of Psychology, and practical aspects. The goal is to provide contributions that can both problematize overcoming difficulties and strengthen actions to overcome them in the current context.(AU)

La evaluación psicológica (EP) se constituye un proceso técnico-científico apoyado en múltiples herramientas, que presenta solidez en el desarrollo de investigaciones que cualifican la práctica y la formación en psicología. Su relevancia histórica y social es evidente, y sus parámetros se ajustan con los criterios más rigurosos practicados internacionalmente. De esta forma, se considera que la EP es un recurso fundamental para la protección del individuo y de la sociedad en diferentes contextos de actuación. Aunque presenta un reconocimiento notorio, hay retos por afrontar. En esa perspectiva, el presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo discutir los principales desafíos actuales para una EP más calificada, dentro de los altos principios éticos de nuestra profesión. El estudio está organizado para delinear estos desafíos, abarcando tanto la esfera social, ética, las resoluciones del Consejo Federal de Psicología y los aspectos prácticos. La finalidad es traer contribuciones que puedan no solo problematizar la superación de las dificultades, sino también, fortalecer las acciones que se revierten en la superación de los problemas que se presentan hoy.(AU)

Opportunities for growth in the growing field of psychobiotics.

There is growing interest in the field of psychobiotics, which are probiotics that confer a mental health benefit when ingested. As this field grows, it should pay particular attention to three areas within psychobiotics research that are currently under-studied - sex (and gender) representation, fungi and the mycobiome, and vagus nerve activity. Giving these three domains more attention is currently feasible without significant increased investment of time or money. We discuss these three domains briefly, why they are of particular relevance for psychobiotics research, and how psychobiotics research can easily integrate their perspectives. Our recommendations are summarised in the conclusion, but include equal sex representation at all phases of research (human and animal studies), investigating the relationship between psychobiotics and commensal fungi, and measuring the activity of the vagus nerve in psychobiotics studies.

Atención plena (mindfulness): por qué es posible que funcione y por qué es seguro que triunfe / [Mindfulness: Why It Might Work and Why It's Sure to Succeed]

La atención plena (mindfulness) ha desbordado el ámbito clínico y comienza a aplicarse con entusiasmo en la escuela, el deporte o la empresa. La sospecha de que estamos ante una intervención que, aunque probablemente eficaz, tenga un tamaño de efecto pequeño, lo que obliga a realizar investigaciones con gran rigor. Así, solo conociendo los procesos psicológicos implicados en la atención plena podremos tener una visión más realista de su utilidad ante los diferentes problemas. Ante esto, ¿cómo explicar el extraordinario éxito que está obteniendo en Occidente la atención plena, tanto a nivel académico como mundano? Se presentan tres principios conductuales que se practican durante el entrenamiento en atención plena y se denuncia su uso ideológico, que aparece enmarcado, no en la mística existencial ni en el conductismo contextual, sino en la psicología positiva y su agenda neoliberal.

Mindfulness has gone beyond clinical applications and is beginning to be enthusiastically applied in schools, sport, and business settings. It seems to be a type of intervention that, while probably effective, has a small effect size, which calls for rigorous research. Understanding the psychological processes involved in mindfulness is essential in order to achieve a more realistic picture of its usefulness for some behavioral disorders. How can we explain the extraordinary success of mindfulness in western societies, both in academia and in popular culture? We present three behavioral principles and ideological reasons for applying mindfulness. Nowadays, mindfulness is framed not by mystical existentialism or contextual behaviorism, but by positive psychology and its neoliberal agenda.

Psychological well-being and worries among pregnant women in the first trimester during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark compared with a historical group: A hospital-based cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: A pandemic may negatively influence psychological well-being in the individual. We aimed to assess the potential influence of the first national lockdown in Denmark (March to June 2020) due to the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological well-being and the content and degree of worries among pregnant women in early pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this hospital-based cross-sectional study based on self-reported data we compared psychological well-being and worries among women who were pregnant during the first phase of the pandemic (COVID-19 group) (n = 685), with women who were pregnant the year before (Historical group) (n = 787). Psychological well-being was measured by the five-item World Health Organization Well-being Index (WHO-5), using a score ≤50 as indicator of reduced psychological well-being. Differences in WHO-5 mean scores and in the prevalence of women with score ≤50 were assessed using general linear and log-binomial regression analyses. The Cambridge Worry Scale was used to measure the content and degree of major worries. To detect differences between groups, Pearson's Chi-square test was used. RESULTS: We found no differences in mean WHO-5 score between groups (mean difference) 0.1 (95% CI -1.5 to 1.6) or in the prevalence of women with WHO-5 score ≤50 (prevalence ratio 1.04, 95% CI 0.83-1.29) in adjusted analyses. A larger proportion of women in the COVID-19 group reported major worries about Relationship with husband/partner compared with the Historical group (3% [n = 19] vs 1% [n = 6], p = 0.04), and 9.2% in the COVID-19 group worried about the possible negative influence of the COVID-19 restrictions. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that national restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic did not influence the psychological well-being or the content and degree of major worries among pregnant women. However, a larger proportion of women in the COVID-19 group reported major worries concerning Relationship with husband/partner compared with the Historical group and 9.2% in the COVID-19 group worried about the possible negative influence of the COVID-19 restrictions.

A pandemia e o "Lobo Mau" da Psicologia: sobre a formação e a prática da(o) psicóloga(o) do trabalho e organizacional / The pandemic and the "Big Bad Wolf" of psychology: about academic education and occupational and organizational psychologists' practice

Este trabalho tem como objetivo realizar balanço avaliativo e leitura livre das principais questões presentes no texto "O papel do psicólogo na organização industrial (notas sobre o "Lobo Mau" em psicologia)" escrito por Wanderley Codo, publicado em 1984 no livro Psicologia social: o homem em movimento. A proposta assume outra dimensão diante da pandemia do coronavírus, que eclodiu no mundo em dezembro de 2019. Considerando o texto, ainda hoje, de extrema pertinência, propomos seu balanço crítico e uma atualização que aprimore sua influência na formação e atuação da(o) psicóloga(o) do trabalho e organizacional. Busca-se identificar as principais determinações do capital e seus representantes no ambiente de trabalho, sem negar as possibilidades de ajuda às(aos) trabalhadoras(es), em defesa do posto de trabalho, da saúde e da qualidade de vida. São apresentadas indicações de estratégias e táticas para a formação e atuação crítica das(os) profissionais da área. Na conclusão, faz-se uma indicação sucinta das prováveis consequências pós-pandemia para as(os) trabalhadoras(es), diante das quais as(os) psicólogas(os) da área precisarão responder aos desafios colocados

This study aims to assess and freely read the main questions in "O papel do psicólogo na organização industrial (notas sobre o 'Lobo Mau' em psicologia)" [The role of psychologists in industrial organization (notes on the "Big Bad Wolf" in psychology)], written by Wanderley Codo, published in 1984 in the book "Psicologia social: o homem em movimento" (Social psychology: man on the move). Our proposal takes on another dimension in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, which broke out in the world in December 2019. Considering that the text remains extremely pertinent today, we propose to critically evaluate and update it to improve its influence on academic education and occupational and organizational psychologists' performance. We aim to find the main determinations of capital and its representatives in the work environment without denying possibilities of helping workers to defend their jobs, health, and quality of life. We offer strategies and tactics to train professionals so they can critically do their jobs. Our conclusion briefly indicates the probable post-pandemic consequences for workers, which will require specialized psychologists to respond to the posed challenges

Psicologia, Racismo e Antirracismo: segunda parte / Psicología, racismo y antirracismo: segunda parte / Psychology, Racism and Anti-racism: second part

Apresentamos os artigos publicados no dossiê Psicologia, Racismo e Antirracismo —Parte 2. As referências às questões raciais têm ganhado espaço no campo da Psicologia e os olhares sobre as questões raciais nessa ciência estão frequentemente presentes como aspectos específicos de teorias críticas, mas a depender do “lugar” que tais olhares ocupam dentro dessas teorias, os impactos e críticas para a própria Psicologia ganham dimensões que apontam para inclusões pontuais de algumas categoriais ou para revisões mais amplas e estruturais desse campo do co-nhecimento. Os artigos publicizados neste dossiê contribuem para interpelar a Psicologia que ao longo da história contribuiu para a reprodução do racismo, articulado com outras opressões e violências e apontam caminhos de mudança na área e revelam a necessidade de um giro an-tirracista na Psicologia. (AU)

We present the articles published in the dossier Psychology, Racism and Anti-Racism –Part 2. References to racial issues have gained space in the field of Psychology and the perspectives on racial issues in this science are often present as specific aspects of critical theories, but depending on the “place” that such perspectives occupy within these theories, the impacts, and criticisms for Psychology itself gain dimensions that point to punctual inclusions of some categories or to broader and more structural revisions of this field of knowledge. The articles published in this dossier contribute to questioning Psychology that throughout history has con-tributed to the reproduction of racism, articulated with other oppressions and violence, and point out ways of change in the area and reveal the need for an anti-racist turn in Psychology. (AU)

Trajectories towards affirmation: Gender identity in mental health services after the ICD-11 / Trayectorias hacia la afirmación: La identidad de género en los servicios de salud mental después del CIE-11

Depathologisation of gender diversity in the ICD-11 marks a shift in psychological services for transgender and gender nonconforming people. Even though the stipulated changes are only practically applicable ever since early 2022, a general move towards affirmative psychothera-peutic and counselling practice has been noticed ever since 2018. The present paper covers three main models of mental health care for genderminorities, namely the conversion therapy model, the transsexual gatekeeping model, and the affirmative model, in order to view them under a novel lens. Drawing on Science, Technology and Society Studies, the universalist pre-sumptions and rigid gender roles of the traditional models are brought under scrutiny. Moreo-ver, the itinerary reveals the need for situated narratives that encourage self-determination and renovate the therapeutic relationship as a means of self-exploration instead of an institu-tionalcontrol mechanism. Concluding, it is remarked that intersectional knowledge is crucial in compensating for micro-aggressive practices and dynamics historically promoted by psycholo-gists and other mental health providers. (AU)

La despatologización de la diversidad de género en el CIE-11 marca un giro para los servicios psicológicos para personas trans y no conformes al género. Aunque los cambios estipulados so-lo se incorporan prácticamente desde principios de 2022, se ha estado observando un movi-miento general hacia la práctica psicoterapéutica y de asesoramiento afirmativo desde 2018. El presente artículo realiza un recorrido por los tres modelos principales de atención de salud mental para minorías de género, concretamente el modelo de terapias de conversión, el mode-lo transexual de vigilancia, y el modelo afirmativo, con el fin de contemplarlos bajo una nueva perspectiva. Partiendo de los Estudios de Ciencia, Tecnologíay Sociedad, se examinan las pre-sunciones universalistas y los roles rígidos de los modelos tradicionales. Además, el recorrido revela la necesidad de narrativas situadas que incentiven la autodeterminación y renueven la relación terapéutica como eje de autoexploración en vez de mecanismo de control institucio-nal. Como conclusión, se remarca que el conocimiento interseccional es crucial para compen-sar las prácticas micro-agresivas y dinámicas que históricamente han promovido psicólogos y otros prestadores de servicios de salud mental. (AU)

A analista grávida e o paradoxo da transferência / The pregnant psychoanalyst and the transference paradox / La psicoanalista embarazada y la paradoja de la transferencia / La psychanalyste enceinte et le paradoxe du transfert

A partir de duas vinhetas clínicas que remontam a atendimentos feitos quando estava grávida, a autora trata do paradoxo da transferência: a exigência do uso do inconsciente do analista e a necessidade de manutenção de sua posição abstinente. Seria a positivação de seu corpo um entrave ao setting ou, pelo contrário, abriria espaço para pensar a potência desse encontro como um ato vivo e pulsional? A autora trabalha com a hipótese de que essa experiência, a partir da situação de um analista impedido de "tirar o corpo fora", revela a possibilidade de este funcionar como resto diurno para o sonhar do paciente em sessão.

Based on two clinical reports that go back to the time when the analyst was pregnant, this article deals with the paradox of transference: the requirement to use the analyst's unconscious and the need to maintain her abstinent position. Would the presence of her body be an obstacle to the setting or, on the contrary, would it open space to think about it as a live and creative act? Our hypothesis is that this experience reveals that the analyst, unable to walk away, could function as day´s residues for the patient's dream in session.

A partir de dos fragmentos clínicos que se remontan a consultas realizadas por la analista durante el embarazo, este artículo aborda la paradoja de la transferencia: la exigencia de utilizar el inconsciente del analista y la necesidad de mantener su posición abstinente. ¿La positivización de tu cuerpo sería un obstáculo para el setting o, por el contrario, abriría un espacio para pensar en la potencia de este encuentro como un acto vivo y creativo? Trabajamos con la hipótesis de que esta experiencia revela la posibilidad de que el analista funcione como un resto diurno para el sueño del paciente en sesión.

À partir de deux fragments cliniques qui remontent aux consultations faites par l'analyste pendant sa grossesse, cet article traite du paradoxe du transfert : l'exigence de l'utilisation de l'inconscient de l'analyste et le besoin de maintenir sa posture de s'abstenir. La positivisation du corps de l'analyste serait-elle un obstacle au cadre ou, au contraire, ouvrirait-elle un espace pour réfléchir à la puissance de cette rencontre comme acte vivant et pulsionnel ? Nous partons de l'hypothèse que cette expérience, à partir d'un analyste qui est empêché de « se laver les mains ¼, révèle la possibilité qu'il fonctionne comme le reste diurne du rêve du patient en séance.

Archetypes and code biology.

As a clinical psychologist, I observe stereotyped formulas of behavior in action every day in the consulting room, despite differences in age, race, or culture; they present themselves as codified rules or typical modes of behavior in archetypical situations. Such circumstances coincide with what C.G. Jung defended: the existence of archetypes stored in an inherited/phylogenetic repository, which he called the collective unconscious - somewhat similar to the notion of an ethogram, as shown by ethology. Psychologists can use a perspective to facilitate understanding the phenomenon: the code biology perspective (Barbieri 2014). This approach can help us recognize how these phenomenological events have an ontological reality based not only on the existence of organic information but also on the existence of organic meaning. We are not a tabula rasa (Wilson 2000): despite the explosive diversification of the brain and the emergence of conscience and intentionality, we observe the conservation of basic instincts and emotions (Ekman 2004; Damasio 2010) not only in humans but in all mammals and other living beings; we refer to the neural activity on which the discrimination behavior is based, i.e., the neural codes. The conservation of these fundamental set-of-rules or conventions suggests that one or more neural codes have been highly conserved and serves as an interpretive basis for what happens to the living being who owns them (Barbieri 2003). Thus, archetypes' phenomenological reality can be understood not as something metaphorical but as an ontological (phylogenetic) fact (Goodwyn 2019). Furthermore, epigenetic regulation theories present the possibility that the biomolecular process incorporates elements of the context where it takes place; something fundamental to understand our concept - the archetype presents itself as the mnesic remnant of the behavioral history of individuals who preceded us on the evolutionary scale. In short: brains are optimized for processing ethologically relevant sensory signals (Clemens et al., 2015). From the perspective of the corporeal mind (Searle 2002), in this paper, we will show the parallels between code biology and the concept of the archetype, as Jung defended it and as it appears in clinical practice.

Rendered invisible: Are Asian Americans a model or a marginalized minority?

In 1992, the United States government expanded a 1978 decision to observe Asian Pacific American Heritage Week to a month-long recognition of the contributions of Asian Americans to the country's history and ongoing cultural milieu. Since 2000, the Asian population in the United States has grown by 72%-the fastest rate of any racial/ethnic group in the country. Today, the Census reports that Asians comprise 22 million United States residents. Despite this unprecedented growth, Asian Americans remain largely invisible in the national dialogue and in scientific research. This special issue features theoretical, empirical, and policy articles that highlight Asian Americans in psychology. Asian Americans remain marginalized and invisible in scientific endeavors for several reasons. For example, consolidating many ethnic groups under an "Asian American" pan-ethnic umbrella masks meaningful cultural, linguistic, ethnic, migration, gender, sexual/gender identity/expression, and socioeconomic differences. These intersectional identities result in experiences that are multiply marginalized, contributing to invisibility. The model minority stereotype highlights high-achieving and successful individuals, rendering the segment of the Asian American population that is struggling irrelevant and unworthy of attention. This special issue directly interrogates sources of invisibility to synthesize theory, research, and policy focused on Asian Americans. The articles in this special issue focus on the intersectional spaces that Asian Americans occupy, unpacking the diversity behind the "Asian American" pan-ethnic label, experiences of identity and discrimination across a range of Asian American groups, and areas of theory/research/policy where Asian American experiences have been overlooked. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Beyond Statistical Ritual: Theory in Psychological Science.

More than 40 years ago, Paul Meehl (1978) published a seminal critique of the state of theorizing in psychological science. According to Meehl, the quality of theories had diminished in the preceding decades, resulting in statistical methods standing in for theoretical rigor. In this introduction to the special issue Theory in Psychological Science, we apply Meehl's account to contemporary psychological science. We suggest that by the time of Meehl's writing, psychology found itself in the midst of a crisis that is typical of maturing sciences, in which the theories that had been guiding research were gradually cast into doubt. Psychologists were faced with the same general choice when worldviews fail: Face reality and pursue knowledge in the absence of certainty, or shift emphasis toward sources of synthetic certainty. We suggest that psychologists have too often chosen the latter option, substituting synthetic certainties for theory-guided research, in much the same manner as Scholastic scholars did centuries ago. Drawing from our contributors, we go on to make recommendations for how psychological science may fully reengage with theory-based science.

A biopsychosocial perspective on maternal parenting in the first two years of infant life.

Guided by a biopsychosocial perspective of mothering, this study investigated the interplay among biological (maternal cortisol reactivity), psychological (maternal depressive symptoms), and social (infant emotion and regulation) factors in contributing to early changes in maternal parenting. Participants were 1292 low-income, mother-infant pairs, assessed when the infants were 6-months (T1), 15-months (T2), and 24-months old (T3). Maternal parenting was observed at all assessment points. At T1, infant emotion expression and orienting towards mothers were observed, when maternal cortisol reactivity was assessed. Mothers reported their depressive symptoms at T1. Exploratory factor analysis revealed two parenting factors across time points: positive engagement and negative intrusiveness. Second-order latent growth curve models revealed interactions among maternal cortisol reactivity, depressive symptoms, and child negative emotion/orienting at T1 in predicting intercepts and slopes of two parenting factors. T1 maternal cortisol reactivity was associated with a higher positive engagement intercept for infants having high negative emotion at T1, but a lower positive engagement intercept for infants with low negative emotion at T1, under low T1 maternal depressive symptoms. T1 maternal cortisol reactivity was also related to a lower negative intrusiveness intercept for infants showing high orienting at T1. Longitudinally, maternal cortisol reactivity at T1 predicted a faster decline in positive engagement when infants showed high negative emotion at T1, but a slower decline when infants were less negative at T1. This study reveals a bivalent adaptation process in maternal sensitivity and enhances the current understanding of how biopsychosocial factors contribute to maternal parenting in low-income families.

Theory Before the Test: How to Build High-Verisimilitude Explanatory Theories in Psychological Science.

Drawing on the philosophy of psychological explanation, we suggest that psychological science, by focusing on effects, may lose sight of its primary explananda: psychological capacities. We revisit Marr's levels-of-analysis framework, which has been remarkably productive and useful for cognitive psychological explanation. We discuss ways in which Marr's framework may be extended to other areas of psychology, such as social, developmental, and evolutionary psychology, bringing new benefits to these fields. We then show how theoretical analyses can endow a theory with minimal plausibility even before contact with empirical data: We call this the theoretical cycle. Finally, we explain how our proposal may contribute to addressing critical issues in psychological science, including how to leverage effects to understand capacities better.

Practical Methodological Reform Needs Good Theory.

In the face of unreplicable results, statistical anomalies, and outright fraud, introspection and changes in the psychological sciences have taken root. Vibrant reform and metascience movements have emerged. These are exciting developments and may point toward practical improvements in the future. Yet there is nothing so practical as good theory. This article outlines aspects of reform and metascience in psychology that are ripe for an injection of theory, including a lot of excellent and overlooked theoretical work from different disciplines. I review established frameworks that model the process of scientific discovery, the types of scientific networks that we ought to aspire to, and the processes by which problematic norms and institutions might evolve, focusing especially on modeling from the philosophy of science and cultural evolution. We have unwittingly evolved a toxic scientific ecosystem; existing interdisciplinary theory may help us intelligently design a better one.

Heterogeneity of Research Results: A New Perspective From Which to Assess and Promote Progress in Psychological Science.

Heterogeneity emerges when multiple close or conceptual replications on the same subject produce results that vary more than expected from the sampling error. Here we argue that unexplained heterogeneity reflects a lack of coherence between the concepts applied and data observed and therefore a lack of understanding of the subject matter. Typical levels of heterogeneity thus offer a useful but neglected perspective on the levels of understanding achieved in psychological science. Focusing on continuous outcome variables, we surveyed heterogeneity in 150 meta-analyses from cognitive, organizational, and social psychology and 57 multiple close replications. Heterogeneity proved to be very high in meta-analyses, with powerful moderators being conspicuously absent. Population effects in the average meta-analysis vary from small to very large for reasons that are typically not understood. In contrast, heterogeneity was moderate in close replications. A newly identified relationship between heterogeneity and effect size allowed us to make predictions about expected heterogeneity levels. We discuss important implications for the formulation and evaluation of theories in psychology. On the basis of insights from the history and philosophy of science, we argue that the reduction of heterogeneity is important for progress in psychology and its practical applications, and we suggest changes to our collective research practice toward this end.

A systematic review of psychological training or interventions given to UK military personnel prior to deployment.

INTRODUCTION: Predeployment stress management/mental health training is routinely delivered in an effort to mitigate potential adverse psychological effects. Little is known about the effectiveness of such interventions. METHODS: A systematic literature review explored research outcomes related to this subject, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guidelines. An electronic database search using key terms identified studies published between January 2007 and March 2019. Comprehensive inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied and study quality was appraised by two reviewers using 12 criteria adapted from the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. Papers were excluded if they were allocated CASP scores ≤10 out of 24. RESULTS: 2003 references were identified; 15 papers fulfilled inclusion criteria and quality threshold requirements. Included studies were randomised controlled trial design (n=8), quasi-experimental (n=5), case report (n=1) and cross-sectional (n=1). Duration of follow-up assessment varied from immediately postintervention to 24 months. The included studies were heterogeneous so clear recommendations relating to predeployment training for military personnel could not be made. Although somewhat disparate, predeployment interventions shared the aim of promoting prior to, during and after deployment health and well-being. Social benefits such as improved cohesion and improved stress management skills were identified in some studies, although substantial mental health and well-being benefits were not found. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence for the effectiveness of predeployment psychological interventions is scant. Every attempt should be made to use methods and measures to facilitate comparisons across studies, to attempt a longer follow-up timescale and to clarify key trainer characteristics.

The neglected 95% revisited: Is American psychology becoming less American?

The field of psychology prides itself on being a data-driven science. In 2008, however, Arnett brought to light a major weakness in the evidence on which models, measures, and theories in psychology rest. He demonstrated that the most prominent journals in six subdisciplines of psychology focused almost exclusively (over 70% of samples and authors) on a cultural context, the United States, shared by only 5% of the world's population. How can psychologists trust that these models and results generalize to all humans, if the evidence comes from a small and unrepresentative portion of the global population? Arnett's analysis, cited over 1,300 times since its publication, appears to have galvanized researchers to think more globally. Social scientists from the United States have increasingly sought ways to collaborate with colleagues abroad. Ten years later, an analysis of the same 6 journals for the period of 2014 to 2018 indicates that the authors and samples are now on average a little over 60% American based. The change is mainly due to an increase in authorship and samples from other English-speaking and Western European countries. Thus, it might be said that 11% of the world's population is now represented in these top psychology journals, but that 89% of the world's population continues to be neglected. Majority world authors and samples (4-5%) are still sorely lacking from the evidence base. Psychology still has a long way to go to become a science truly representative of human beings. Several specific recommendations are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).