Confronts problems that arise in a great deal of psychological, sociological, and educational research; problems that occur when research is concerned with human or rational attributes and performances rather than with physical objects. (JOW)

Two studies found infants' scores on the Range of State Cluster of the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale with Kansas Supplements to correlate significantly with visual discrimination performance at three months of age. The correlation with behavioral state organization contradicted the prediction that orientation scores would predict visual…

Studied the early development of inhibited approach through the observation of 48 infants. Subjects (aged 6.5, 10, and 13.5 months) were observed longitudinally as they reached for toys under high- and low-novelty/intensity conditions. Predictions that temperament would affect reaching behavior (with happy children reaching more quickly and…

Investigated the ability of children aged five, six, and seven years to categorize rhyming words. Children were better able to group words that shared rimes (speech units) than those with common syllable onsets. Results suggest that children who are not yet able to read are aware of single phonemes when they coincide with onset. (SAK)

Introduces series of seven articles presenting some of the issues and methods that characterize emerging mental health services research. Discusses five major areas of concern identified by the National Institute of Mental Health. Invites researchers and methodologists to contribute articles focusing on mental health services research…

Presents strengths and limitations of covariance structure analysis (CSA), statistical procedure for testing hypotheses about relations among psychological constructs, as way to test structural hypotheses that are not tested adequately with other statistical procedures. Provides two empirical examples that illustrate use of CSA for evaluating…

Examines several areas to contribute to the development of a poetry therapy practice research model: research models, specificity and replication, poetry selection, studies in practice research, professional issues, and the identification of directions for future research. (SR)

The hypothesis that anxiety and depression self-report scales tap distinct constructs was tested using confirmatory factor analysis on mood data from nonclinical samples. Results provide evidence that anxiety and depression self-report scales do not measure discriminant mood constructs and may, therefore, be better thought of as measures of…

Examined the relative efficacy of different treatment approaches for bulimia nervosa. Follow-up of a study using cognitive-behavioral, behavioral, and placebo groups show six-month abstinence highest in the cognitive behavioral group. Results support conceptualization of bulimia nervosa as a multifaceted disorder best treated with an approach that…

Offers a brief overview of the Structure Building Framework, a simple framework for describing the cognitive processes and mechanisms involved in discourse comprehension. Reviews the seminal work on which it is based (the first decade of structure-building research); and recounts the research conducted by the author to test the Structure Building…

Introduces this special issue on nonparametric item response theory and discusses its use in psychological and sociological research. Outlines each of the eight articles in the issue. (SLD)

Uses a sociopolitical framework to develop an inclusive and integrative psychology of working. Key elements emerging from strengths of vocational psychology include a focus on diversity and application of feminist thought. (Contains 45 references.) (SK)

Theoretical and empirical traditions of vocational psychology are an important resource and should be complemented by emerging perspectives such as postmodernism and qualitative methods. This would increase the field's ability to speak to diverse audiences and improve the relevance of research. (Contains 32 references.) (SK)

This article presents the author's comments on a set of articles representing an unusual collation of work by investigators from different parts of the world, using similar high-tech instrumentation and procedures to measure eye movements in infants who lie in a fairly constrained age range. Although the articles in this thematic collection share…

This article provides an overview of several core theoretical and practical aspects of participatory action research (PAR). An effort is made to define PAR and the types of work that fall under that rubric. Historical underpinnings, roles of the individuals involved, contexts, methods, and the challenges and benefits of this mode of inquiry are…