The authors of a recent meta-analysis of studies into male circumcision and HIV describe their fi... more The authors of a recent meta-analysis of studies into male circumcision and HIV describe their findings as “compelling.” We disagree. They reported a remarkably high degree of inconsistency with 97% of variation across studies due to heterogeneity rather than chance (an astounding, rarely seen level of heterogeneity). Using recently described methods, 28.57% of the studies would need to have been excluded to bring I2 below the 50% threshold (considered high) and 32.65% excluded to bring I2 below the 25% threshold considered acceptable (well above the expected 99th percentiles of 22% and 32%, respectively). Similarly, 65.51% and 65.93% of the total number of participants needed to be excluded to reach the 50% and 25% thresholds (above the 99th percentiles of 25% and 48%, respectively). Given this excessive between-study heterogeneity, Sharma et al. should have refrained from reporting summary estimates.
Journal of Clinical and Translational Research, 2017
Ullmann et al. recently published a pilot study in Translational Psychiatry in which they report ... more Ullmann et al. recently published a pilot study in Translational Psychiatry in which they report failing to find a statistically significant reduction in either hair cortisol or hair cortisone levels in circumcised men as compared with genitally intact (noncircumcised) men. Based on such null findings, the authors purport to have "refuted the psycho-pathological long-term effects of circumcision" and that the lack of significant results, "add to the growing body of evidence in the literature that male circumcision is not likely psychologically traumatizing across the life-span." In addition, they claim that they have proven a "healthy functionality of the LHPA axis" in men subjected to circumcision during infancy or childhood. However, it is not possible to draw any such conclusions on the basis of a null finding, especially one derived from an underpowered study in which the trend in the data suggest, if anything, that an adequately powered study may have shown the opposite of what the authors claim. When combined with other weaknesses in study design, measurement, and interpretation, it becomes apparent that the authors' conclusions are not supported by their data.
The two most prominent individual differences researchers of the twentieth century were Hans J. E... more The two most prominent individual differences researchers of the twentieth century were Hans J. Eysenck and Raymond B. Cattell. Both were giants of scientific psychology, each publishing scores of books and hundreds of empirical peer-reviewed journal articles. Influenced by Hebb's distinction between physiological (Intelligence A) and experiential (Intelligence B), Eysenck focused on discovering the underlying biological substrata of intelligence. Analogously, Cattell proposed the Gf–Gc theory which distinguishes between fluid and crystallised intelligence. Cattell's Culture Fair Intelligence Test (CFIT), a measure primarily of fluid intelligence, was constructed specifically to minimise differences in test bias in IQ scores between different ethnic/racial groups. Within the personality realm, Eysenck adopted a pragmatic three-factor model as measured via the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-R) and its variants. In contrast, Cattell employed a lexical approach that resulted in a large number of primary and secondary normal and abnormal personality trait dimensions, measured via the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF), and the corresponding Clinical Analysis Questionnaire (CAQ), respectively. Recent molecular genetics findings provide empirical confirmation of Eysenck and Cattell's positions on the biological underpinnings of personality and ability traits, allowing an improved understanding of the causes of individual differences.
Engvik (1998) has challenged our critique of (1) the ungrounded and
excessive reliance on item-tr... more Engvik (1998) has challenged our critique of (1) the ungrounded and excessive reliance on item-transparent, self-report personality measures (Q-data), and of (2) the naive appeal of five-factor models (FFM), in which personality is conceived as a set of static traits not influenced by social experience. In addition, Engvik has attempted to disparage our call for greater emphasis on objective (non-fakeable) performance/test measures of personality (T-data). Despite Engvik's assertion that our arguments are indefensible, there is a great body of empirical evidence and published literature that verifies our view that self-report methodology is seriously flawed, and that conclusions drawn from such measures may be dubious.
Psychometric measurement of personality as it is applied today is very
problematic and often resu... more Psychometric measurement of personality as it is applied today is very problematic and often results in unreliable, invalid prediction. The main problems have been, on one hand, the number of personality traits and on the other hand, the almost exclusive use of subjective self-report inventories (Q-data) that more or less automatically lead to biased or distorted judgments. The former problem no doubt is the reason for the popularity of the so-called "Big Five" personality dimensions. There are, however, strong reasons for questioning their validity. In order to remedy the latter problem, more research is needed to develop objective test (T-data) instruments similar, for example, to Cattell's Objective-Analytic Battery.
While the role of non-ability intrapersonal variables including personality traits and motivation... more While the role of non-ability intrapersonal variables including personality traits and motivationaldynamic factors has been well documented in numerous studies, the relationship of transient states to cognitive performance has been relatively neglected. Boyle (1983b, 1986) demonstrated that emotional states powerfully influence cognitive learning outcomes under conditions of stressful activation. However, under neutral, non-emotive conditions, it remained unclear what role if any was played by mood states i n cognitive learning. The failure to employ change measures in these studies may have obscured the likely influence of emotions on cognitive performance in the neutral situation. This study reexamines the relationship of moods with cognitive learning performance using state-change scores rather than single-occasion mood-state scores as the basis for predicting cognitive learning outcomes.
A separation of state and trait factors, and an allocation of modulation values to situations, wa... more A separation of state and trait factors, and an allocation of modulation values to situations, was attempted by giving the Eight State Battery (8SQ) and the Motivation Analysis Test (MAT) to two groups, each under two situations, one aversive. The difference scores between a pre- and post-exposure to the mild and the severe aversive situations were significant on all 8SQ factors but mainly on ergs, not sentiments, in the MAT. The state changes, notably on Anxiety, Regression, Depression and Guilt, were greater on the more shocking stimulus, while Fear rose and Narcism fell significantly on the MAT. Changes were greater on the unintegrated than integrated motivational components, confirming hypotheses by others.
The McGill Pain Questionnaire (Melzack, 1975) is the most widely used pain assessment instrument ... more The McGill Pain Questionnaire (Melzack, 1975) is the most widely used pain assessment instrument in the world. The MPQ comprises 20 subcategories of verbal (single-word) pain descriptors (e.g., cutting, crushing, burning, stinging) intended to measure the sensory, affective, and evaluative components of pain. Pain descriptors are ranked according to intensity within each subcategory. Six of the 84 items are incorporated into a Present Pain Index (PPI) which measures overall pain intensity. Nevertheless, despite its international popularity (translated into at least 15 different languages, including Spanish, French and Portugese), the MPQ has some severe psychometric limitations that undermine its validity. For instance, scoring systems remain psychometrically complicated, raising doubts about the reliability of subcategory scores. In addition, several verbal descriptors pertaining to the evaluative component of pain really describe affective aspects. Also, some descriptors (e.g., lancinating and rasping) are not easily understood by many pain patients. Problems also arise from unequal numbers of descriptors within subclasses, the discrepant number of subclasses within each component, variability in ranks and interval ratings of pain descriptors, ambiguity of some descriptors (e.g., flashing pertains to brightness as well as to frequency), and the non-equivalence of translations of descriptors. Compared with the sensory domain, the proportion of variance accounted for by the affective domain is no more than 50%, while the evaluative domain accounts for a mere 10% of variance. Instability of the MPQ factor structure is problematic, and reliance on only the tripartite (sensory, affective, and evaluative) domains may lead to loss of diagnostic information due to restriction of variance associated with possible underfactoring. Indeed, several studies have suggested that extensive restructuring of the MPQ instrument is needed. Accordingly, some positive suggestions based on empirical findings with the MPQ are offered in an attempt to refine what is undoubtedly a valuable and time-honoured pain assessment instrument.
The discriminant validity of measures of abnormal illness behaviours and psychopathology was exam... more The discriminant validity of measures of abnormal illness behaviours and psychopathology was examined in three samples differing in illness prone- ness: a sample of young healthy university students. (N = 38), a general community sample (n = 36), and a sample of clinical psychiatric outpatients (N = 36). Adjustment to illness was measured using the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire (lBQ: Pilowsky & Spence. 1994), while the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-Ill (MCMI-III, Millon. 1994) was used to measure clinical syndromes and personality. MANCOVAs were performed across the three groups on the lBQ and the MCMI-III categories separately. As expected clinical outpatients obtained significantly higher scores than did nonclinical groups on most of the lBQ scales, suggesting discernible discriminant validity. However, the lack of discrimination between groups on several of the MCMI-III scales raises questions about the test validity of this multidimensional instrument.
This theoretical note describes an expansion of the behavioral prediction equation, in line with ... more This theoretical note describes an expansion of the behavioral prediction equation, in line with the greater complexity encountered in models of structured learning theory (R. B. Cattell, 1996a). This presents learning theory with a vector substitute for the simpler scalar quantities by which traditional Pavlovian– Skinnerian models have hitherto been represented. Structured learning can be demonstrated by vector changes across a range of intrapersonal psychological variables (ability, personality, motivation, and state constructs). Its use with motivational dynamic trait measures (R. B. Cattell, 1985) should reveal new theoretical possibilities for scientifically monitoring change processes (dynamic calculus model; R. B. Cattell, 1996b), such as encountered within psychotherapeutic settings (R. B. Cattell, 1987). The enhanced behavioral prediction equation suggests that static conceptualizations of personality structure such as the Big Five model are less than optimal.
La structure psychologique est composee d'un large evantail de traits de personnalite et d'apti- ... more La structure psychologique est composee d'un large evantail de traits de personnalite et d'apti- tudes. Dans son reuvre, Raymond Cattell s'est efforce de rendre compte de la complexite de cette structure dans son ensemble (Cattell, 1979, 1980, 1982). Il a tenté de construire une taxonomie de concepts psychologiques comparable a la table des elements en chimie. Des dimensions psychologiques mises en evidence par l'analyse factorielle ont ete, par la suite, incorporees dans des versions differentes de « l'equation de specification comportementale » (Cattell, 1983; Cattell, Boyle et Chant, 2002). Selon Kline (1986), le modele psychometrique cattellien comprend les facteurs de structure simple les plus importants qui aient ete de- converts, respectivement, dans les domaines de la personnalite, de 1'aptitude intellectuelle, de Ia dynamique motivationnelle et de l'humeur.
Se calcula que unos 650 millones de hombres y 120 millones de mujeres que viven en la actualidad ... more Se calcula que unos 650 millones de hombres y 120 millones de mujeres que viven en la actualidad sufrieron modificaciones genitales en su infancia (OMS, 2000). Durante el siglo veinte, los partidarios de la cirugía genital han considerado que realizar la circuncisión y el cambio de sexo sin consentimiento en niños y niñas prácticamente no tiene secuelas psicológicas negativas. En el siglo veintiuno, la creciente evidencia empírica muestra, en este momento, que dicha mutilación causa daño irreversible en el ambito físico, sexual y, muchas veces, psicológico a la víctima. Por ejemplo, de 313 hombres circuncidados cuando eran niños, el 75% manifestaban daño psicológico, el 60% indicaban resentimiento por la circuncisión, el 54% mostraban cólera, el 50% se sentían violados, el 47% se consideraban inferiores comparados con los otros varones y el 43% creían que la circuncisión perjudicaba sus relaciones sexuales (Hammond, 1997, 1999). En una investigación con hombres circuncidados cuando eran niños, Menage (1999) encontró que el PTSD estaba presente en el 75% de los casos. En otro estudio, 83 hombres circuncidados manifestaban sentirse significativamente más enfadados, heridos e incompletos y se sentían defraudados en comparación con los hombres no mutilados (Bensley, 1999). Asimismo, los efectos a largo plazo del PTSD son manifestados con frecuencia por las víctimas de la mutilación genital femenina (Elchalal et al., 1999). Además, la evidencia acumulada hasta ahora indica que la cirugía de cambio de sexo (e.g., la castración) realizada en los niños puede tener efectos devastadores y crónicos para la salud mental (Wilson & Reiner, 1999; Kipnis & Diamond, 1999). Las víctimas de circuncisión, o las sometidas a operaciones de cambio de sexo, cuando eran menores han descrito sus experiencias en términos de violación, tortura, mutilación y ataque sexual (Goldman, 1997, 1999). Dados los efectos adversos a largo plazo sobre la salud mental que causa la cirugía genital innecesaria en los menores, ha llegado el momento para que, de una vez por todas, se paren todas las formas de mutilación genital.
Sin lugar a dudas, Raymond B. Cattell y Hans J. Eysenck han sido los dos autores más importantes ... more Sin lugar a dudas, Raymond B. Cattell y Hans J. Eysenck han sido los dos autores más importantes y prolíficos en el área de la evaluación de la personalidad y la inteligencia durante la segunda mitad del siglo veinte (véase Boyle, 2000; Boyle y Ortet, 1997, 1999). En el presente artículo se hace una revisión del trabajo de Cattell y sus colaboradores en el que se abordan algunas de las contribuciones de este autor al desarrollo del análisis factorial, así como a la evaluación de las aptitudes, de los rasgos de la personalidad normal y anormal, de los rasgos dinámicos (motivacionales) y de los estados de ánimo transitorios. Cattell se dedicó a la evaluación de los mencionados campos psicológicos de una manera global, aunque posiblemente un inconveniente de su sistema sea el excesivo número de factores primarios (al menos 66 factores sumando todos estos campos) cuando se tienen en cuenta simultáneamente. Se sugiere que a partir de un número menor de dimensiones (factores de segundo orden) dispondríamos de un modelo psicométrico más parsimonioso y útil desde un punto de vista práctico, pero que, al mismo tiempo, permitiría mantener la amplitud de la varianza psicológica intrapersonal y su evaluación multivariada, algo que se le reconoce a escuela cattelliana.
While rare in Scandinavia and Europe, male circumcision is still common in North America despite ... more While rare in Scandinavia and Europe, male circumcision is still common in North America despite some reductions in frequency over recent decades. The United States rate has declined from 90 to 60 per cent in recent years and has fallen by 15 percent in five years.1 Canadian circumcision rates differ dramatically from province to province but the national average is around 25%. It is revealing that the provincial rates have plummeted as each province discontinued coverage under the National Health Service.2 Currently, only Manitoba still pays for circumcisions. Circumcision does not constitute genuine medical treatment. It violates criminal law, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and also human rights. The health implications are graver than is generally realised, despite clear medical evidence of adverse effects from the pain, significant complications, psychological harm and inevitable prejudice to genital function. There are no clearly demonstrable medical benefits. The law, the medical profession, and society in general seems to have turned two blind eyes to this serious form of violence against males.
Some 8059 healthy women (mean age 58 years) were studied in 1973 with the aim of establishing the... more Some 8059 healthy women (mean age 58 years) were studied in 1973 with the aim of establishing the presence or absence of a variety of physical and psychological risk factors for mammary cancer. Mortality was established in 1988,15 years later. Both physical and psychological risk-factor predictors were highly significant. Physical risk factors were more predictive than psychological ones, but both interacted synergistically to predict mortality. Alone, psychological (stress) factors had little effect, whilephysical factors did. However, psychological factors seemed to potentiate the effect of physical factors, particularly in the middle range. The causal relevance of psychological factors was established in a special intervention study using autonomy training as a method of prophylactic therapy and comparing outcome with the effects of no therapy (control).
Engvik (1998) has challenged our critique of (1) the ungrounded and excessive reliance on item-tr... more Engvik (1998) has challenged our critique of (1) the ungrounded and excessive reliance on item-transparent, self-report personality measures (Q-data), and of (2) the naive appeal of fivefactor models (FFM), in which personality is conceived as a set of static traits not influenced by social experience. In addition, Engvik has attempted to disparage our call for greater emphasis on objective (non-fakeable) performance/test measures of personality (T-data). Despite Engvik's assertion that our arguments are indefensible, there is a great body of empirical evidence and published literature that verifies our view that self-report methodology is seriously flawed, and that conclusions drawn from such measures may be dubious.
Russell's short form of the Booklet Category Test (BCT) was administered to 26 diagnosed schizoph... more Russell's short form of the Booklet Category Test (BCT) was administered to 26 diagnosed schizophrenic patients and 14 normal individuals along with a test of premorbid intelligence. IQ scores correlated significantly (inversely) with errors and in particular with Subtests 3, 4, and 6. Age related directly to errors, especially for Subtests 3, 4, and 5. The mean Cronbach coefficient alpha was .71, indicating moderate item homogeneit y across subtests. In sum, the shortened form of the BCT appears to be an efficient and effective measure of concept formation among schizophrenic individuals.
The authors of a recent meta-analysis of studies into male circumcision and HIV describe their fi... more The authors of a recent meta-analysis of studies into male circumcision and HIV describe their findings as “compelling.” We disagree. They reported a remarkably high degree of inconsistency with 97% of variation across studies due to heterogeneity rather than chance (an astounding, rarely seen level of heterogeneity). Using recently described methods, 28.57% of the studies would need to have been excluded to bring I2 below the 50% threshold (considered high) and 32.65% excluded to bring I2 below the 25% threshold considered acceptable (well above the expected 99th percentiles of 22% and 32%, respectively). Similarly, 65.51% and 65.93% of the total number of participants needed to be excluded to reach the 50% and 25% thresholds (above the 99th percentiles of 25% and 48%, respectively). Given this excessive between-study heterogeneity, Sharma et al. should have refrained from reporting summary estimates.
Journal of Clinical and Translational Research, 2017
Ullmann et al. recently published a pilot study in Translational Psychiatry in which they report ... more Ullmann et al. recently published a pilot study in Translational Psychiatry in which they report failing to find a statistically significant reduction in either hair cortisol or hair cortisone levels in circumcised men as compared with genitally intact (noncircumcised) men. Based on such null findings, the authors purport to have "refuted the psycho-pathological long-term effects of circumcision" and that the lack of significant results, "add to the growing body of evidence in the literature that male circumcision is not likely psychologically traumatizing across the life-span." In addition, they claim that they have proven a "healthy functionality of the LHPA axis" in men subjected to circumcision during infancy or childhood. However, it is not possible to draw any such conclusions on the basis of a null finding, especially one derived from an underpowered study in which the trend in the data suggest, if anything, that an adequately powered study may have shown the opposite of what the authors claim. When combined with other weaknesses in study design, measurement, and interpretation, it becomes apparent that the authors' conclusions are not supported by their data.
The two most prominent individual differences researchers of the twentieth century were Hans J. E... more The two most prominent individual differences researchers of the twentieth century were Hans J. Eysenck and Raymond B. Cattell. Both were giants of scientific psychology, each publishing scores of books and hundreds of empirical peer-reviewed journal articles. Influenced by Hebb's distinction between physiological (Intelligence A) and experiential (Intelligence B), Eysenck focused on discovering the underlying biological substrata of intelligence. Analogously, Cattell proposed the Gf–Gc theory which distinguishes between fluid and crystallised intelligence. Cattell's Culture Fair Intelligence Test (CFIT), a measure primarily of fluid intelligence, was constructed specifically to minimise differences in test bias in IQ scores between different ethnic/racial groups. Within the personality realm, Eysenck adopted a pragmatic three-factor model as measured via the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-R) and its variants. In contrast, Cattell employed a lexical approach that resulted in a large number of primary and secondary normal and abnormal personality trait dimensions, measured via the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF), and the corresponding Clinical Analysis Questionnaire (CAQ), respectively. Recent molecular genetics findings provide empirical confirmation of Eysenck and Cattell's positions on the biological underpinnings of personality and ability traits, allowing an improved understanding of the causes of individual differences.
Engvik (1998) has challenged our critique of (1) the ungrounded and
excessive reliance on item-tr... more Engvik (1998) has challenged our critique of (1) the ungrounded and excessive reliance on item-transparent, self-report personality measures (Q-data), and of (2) the naive appeal of five-factor models (FFM), in which personality is conceived as a set of static traits not influenced by social experience. In addition, Engvik has attempted to disparage our call for greater emphasis on objective (non-fakeable) performance/test measures of personality (T-data). Despite Engvik's assertion that our arguments are indefensible, there is a great body of empirical evidence and published literature that verifies our view that self-report methodology is seriously flawed, and that conclusions drawn from such measures may be dubious.
Psychometric measurement of personality as it is applied today is very
problematic and often resu... more Psychometric measurement of personality as it is applied today is very problematic and often results in unreliable, invalid prediction. The main problems have been, on one hand, the number of personality traits and on the other hand, the almost exclusive use of subjective self-report inventories (Q-data) that more or less automatically lead to biased or distorted judgments. The former problem no doubt is the reason for the popularity of the so-called "Big Five" personality dimensions. There are, however, strong reasons for questioning their validity. In order to remedy the latter problem, more research is needed to develop objective test (T-data) instruments similar, for example, to Cattell's Objective-Analytic Battery.
While the role of non-ability intrapersonal variables including personality traits and motivation... more While the role of non-ability intrapersonal variables including personality traits and motivationaldynamic factors has been well documented in numerous studies, the relationship of transient states to cognitive performance has been relatively neglected. Boyle (1983b, 1986) demonstrated that emotional states powerfully influence cognitive learning outcomes under conditions of stressful activation. However, under neutral, non-emotive conditions, it remained unclear what role if any was played by mood states i n cognitive learning. The failure to employ change measures in these studies may have obscured the likely influence of emotions on cognitive performance in the neutral situation. This study reexamines the relationship of moods with cognitive learning performance using state-change scores rather than single-occasion mood-state scores as the basis for predicting cognitive learning outcomes.
A separation of state and trait factors, and an allocation of modulation values to situations, wa... more A separation of state and trait factors, and an allocation of modulation values to situations, was attempted by giving the Eight State Battery (8SQ) and the Motivation Analysis Test (MAT) to two groups, each under two situations, one aversive. The difference scores between a pre- and post-exposure to the mild and the severe aversive situations were significant on all 8SQ factors but mainly on ergs, not sentiments, in the MAT. The state changes, notably on Anxiety, Regression, Depression and Guilt, were greater on the more shocking stimulus, while Fear rose and Narcism fell significantly on the MAT. Changes were greater on the unintegrated than integrated motivational components, confirming hypotheses by others.
The McGill Pain Questionnaire (Melzack, 1975) is the most widely used pain assessment instrument ... more The McGill Pain Questionnaire (Melzack, 1975) is the most widely used pain assessment instrument in the world. The MPQ comprises 20 subcategories of verbal (single-word) pain descriptors (e.g., cutting, crushing, burning, stinging) intended to measure the sensory, affective, and evaluative components of pain. Pain descriptors are ranked according to intensity within each subcategory. Six of the 84 items are incorporated into a Present Pain Index (PPI) which measures overall pain intensity. Nevertheless, despite its international popularity (translated into at least 15 different languages, including Spanish, French and Portugese), the MPQ has some severe psychometric limitations that undermine its validity. For instance, scoring systems remain psychometrically complicated, raising doubts about the reliability of subcategory scores. In addition, several verbal descriptors pertaining to the evaluative component of pain really describe affective aspects. Also, some descriptors (e.g., lancinating and rasping) are not easily understood by many pain patients. Problems also arise from unequal numbers of descriptors within subclasses, the discrepant number of subclasses within each component, variability in ranks and interval ratings of pain descriptors, ambiguity of some descriptors (e.g., flashing pertains to brightness as well as to frequency), and the non-equivalence of translations of descriptors. Compared with the sensory domain, the proportion of variance accounted for by the affective domain is no more than 50%, while the evaluative domain accounts for a mere 10% of variance. Instability of the MPQ factor structure is problematic, and reliance on only the tripartite (sensory, affective, and evaluative) domains may lead to loss of diagnostic information due to restriction of variance associated with possible underfactoring. Indeed, several studies have suggested that extensive restructuring of the MPQ instrument is needed. Accordingly, some positive suggestions based on empirical findings with the MPQ are offered in an attempt to refine what is undoubtedly a valuable and time-honoured pain assessment instrument.
The discriminant validity of measures of abnormal illness behaviours and psychopathology was exam... more The discriminant validity of measures of abnormal illness behaviours and psychopathology was examined in three samples differing in illness prone- ness: a sample of young healthy university students. (N = 38), a general community sample (n = 36), and a sample of clinical psychiatric outpatients (N = 36). Adjustment to illness was measured using the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire (lBQ: Pilowsky & Spence. 1994), while the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-Ill (MCMI-III, Millon. 1994) was used to measure clinical syndromes and personality. MANCOVAs were performed across the three groups on the lBQ and the MCMI-III categories separately. As expected clinical outpatients obtained significantly higher scores than did nonclinical groups on most of the lBQ scales, suggesting discernible discriminant validity. However, the lack of discrimination between groups on several of the MCMI-III scales raises questions about the test validity of this multidimensional instrument.
This theoretical note describes an expansion of the behavioral prediction equation, in line with ... more This theoretical note describes an expansion of the behavioral prediction equation, in line with the greater complexity encountered in models of structured learning theory (R. B. Cattell, 1996a). This presents learning theory with a vector substitute for the simpler scalar quantities by which traditional Pavlovian– Skinnerian models have hitherto been represented. Structured learning can be demonstrated by vector changes across a range of intrapersonal psychological variables (ability, personality, motivation, and state constructs). Its use with motivational dynamic trait measures (R. B. Cattell, 1985) should reveal new theoretical possibilities for scientifically monitoring change processes (dynamic calculus model; R. B. Cattell, 1996b), such as encountered within psychotherapeutic settings (R. B. Cattell, 1987). The enhanced behavioral prediction equation suggests that static conceptualizations of personality structure such as the Big Five model are less than optimal.
La structure psychologique est composee d'un large evantail de traits de personnalite et d'apti- ... more La structure psychologique est composee d'un large evantail de traits de personnalite et d'apti- tudes. Dans son reuvre, Raymond Cattell s'est efforce de rendre compte de la complexite de cette structure dans son ensemble (Cattell, 1979, 1980, 1982). Il a tenté de construire une taxonomie de concepts psychologiques comparable a la table des elements en chimie. Des dimensions psychologiques mises en evidence par l'analyse factorielle ont ete, par la suite, incorporees dans des versions differentes de « l'equation de specification comportementale » (Cattell, 1983; Cattell, Boyle et Chant, 2002). Selon Kline (1986), le modele psychometrique cattellien comprend les facteurs de structure simple les plus importants qui aient ete de- converts, respectivement, dans les domaines de la personnalite, de 1'aptitude intellectuelle, de Ia dynamique motivationnelle et de l'humeur.
Se calcula que unos 650 millones de hombres y 120 millones de mujeres que viven en la actualidad ... more Se calcula que unos 650 millones de hombres y 120 millones de mujeres que viven en la actualidad sufrieron modificaciones genitales en su infancia (OMS, 2000). Durante el siglo veinte, los partidarios de la cirugía genital han considerado que realizar la circuncisión y el cambio de sexo sin consentimiento en niños y niñas prácticamente no tiene secuelas psicológicas negativas. En el siglo veintiuno, la creciente evidencia empírica muestra, en este momento, que dicha mutilación causa daño irreversible en el ambito físico, sexual y, muchas veces, psicológico a la víctima. Por ejemplo, de 313 hombres circuncidados cuando eran niños, el 75% manifestaban daño psicológico, el 60% indicaban resentimiento por la circuncisión, el 54% mostraban cólera, el 50% se sentían violados, el 47% se consideraban inferiores comparados con los otros varones y el 43% creían que la circuncisión perjudicaba sus relaciones sexuales (Hammond, 1997, 1999). En una investigación con hombres circuncidados cuando eran niños, Menage (1999) encontró que el PTSD estaba presente en el 75% de los casos. En otro estudio, 83 hombres circuncidados manifestaban sentirse significativamente más enfadados, heridos e incompletos y se sentían defraudados en comparación con los hombres no mutilados (Bensley, 1999). Asimismo, los efectos a largo plazo del PTSD son manifestados con frecuencia por las víctimas de la mutilación genital femenina (Elchalal et al., 1999). Además, la evidencia acumulada hasta ahora indica que la cirugía de cambio de sexo (e.g., la castración) realizada en los niños puede tener efectos devastadores y crónicos para la salud mental (Wilson & Reiner, 1999; Kipnis & Diamond, 1999). Las víctimas de circuncisión, o las sometidas a operaciones de cambio de sexo, cuando eran menores han descrito sus experiencias en términos de violación, tortura, mutilación y ataque sexual (Goldman, 1997, 1999). Dados los efectos adversos a largo plazo sobre la salud mental que causa la cirugía genital innecesaria en los menores, ha llegado el momento para que, de una vez por todas, se paren todas las formas de mutilación genital.
Sin lugar a dudas, Raymond B. Cattell y Hans J. Eysenck han sido los dos autores más importantes ... more Sin lugar a dudas, Raymond B. Cattell y Hans J. Eysenck han sido los dos autores más importantes y prolíficos en el área de la evaluación de la personalidad y la inteligencia durante la segunda mitad del siglo veinte (véase Boyle, 2000; Boyle y Ortet, 1997, 1999). En el presente artículo se hace una revisión del trabajo de Cattell y sus colaboradores en el que se abordan algunas de las contribuciones de este autor al desarrollo del análisis factorial, así como a la evaluación de las aptitudes, de los rasgos de la personalidad normal y anormal, de los rasgos dinámicos (motivacionales) y de los estados de ánimo transitorios. Cattell se dedicó a la evaluación de los mencionados campos psicológicos de una manera global, aunque posiblemente un inconveniente de su sistema sea el excesivo número de factores primarios (al menos 66 factores sumando todos estos campos) cuando se tienen en cuenta simultáneamente. Se sugiere que a partir de un número menor de dimensiones (factores de segundo orden) dispondríamos de un modelo psicométrico más parsimonioso y útil desde un punto de vista práctico, pero que, al mismo tiempo, permitiría mantener la amplitud de la varianza psicológica intrapersonal y su evaluación multivariada, algo que se le reconoce a escuela cattelliana.
While rare in Scandinavia and Europe, male circumcision is still common in North America despite ... more While rare in Scandinavia and Europe, male circumcision is still common in North America despite some reductions in frequency over recent decades. The United States rate has declined from 90 to 60 per cent in recent years and has fallen by 15 percent in five years.1 Canadian circumcision rates differ dramatically from province to province but the national average is around 25%. It is revealing that the provincial rates have plummeted as each province discontinued coverage under the National Health Service.2 Currently, only Manitoba still pays for circumcisions. Circumcision does not constitute genuine medical treatment. It violates criminal law, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and also human rights. The health implications are graver than is generally realised, despite clear medical evidence of adverse effects from the pain, significant complications, psychological harm and inevitable prejudice to genital function. There are no clearly demonstrable medical benefits. The law, the medical profession, and society in general seems to have turned two blind eyes to this serious form of violence against males.
Some 8059 healthy women (mean age 58 years) were studied in 1973 with the aim of establishing the... more Some 8059 healthy women (mean age 58 years) were studied in 1973 with the aim of establishing the presence or absence of a variety of physical and psychological risk factors for mammary cancer. Mortality was established in 1988,15 years later. Both physical and psychological risk-factor predictors were highly significant. Physical risk factors were more predictive than psychological ones, but both interacted synergistically to predict mortality. Alone, psychological (stress) factors had little effect, whilephysical factors did. However, psychological factors seemed to potentiate the effect of physical factors, particularly in the middle range. The causal relevance of psychological factors was established in a special intervention study using autonomy training as a method of prophylactic therapy and comparing outcome with the effects of no therapy (control).
Engvik (1998) has challenged our critique of (1) the ungrounded and excessive reliance on item-tr... more Engvik (1998) has challenged our critique of (1) the ungrounded and excessive reliance on item-transparent, self-report personality measures (Q-data), and of (2) the naive appeal of fivefactor models (FFM), in which personality is conceived as a set of static traits not influenced by social experience. In addition, Engvik has attempted to disparage our call for greater emphasis on objective (non-fakeable) performance/test measures of personality (T-data). Despite Engvik's assertion that our arguments are indefensible, there is a great body of empirical evidence and published literature that verifies our view that self-report methodology is seriously flawed, and that conclusions drawn from such measures may be dubious.
Russell's short form of the Booklet Category Test (BCT) was administered to 26 diagnosed schizoph... more Russell's short form of the Booklet Category Test (BCT) was administered to 26 diagnosed schizophrenic patients and 14 normal individuals along with a test of premorbid intelligence. IQ scores correlated significantly (inversely) with errors and in particular with Subtests 3, 4, and 6. Age related directly to errors, especially for Subtests 3, 4, and 5. The mean Cronbach coefficient alpha was .71, indicating moderate item homogeneit y across subtests. In sum, the shortened form of the BCT appears to be an efficient and effective measure of concept formation among schizophrenic individuals.
The ever increasing knowledge of human behavior emanating from psychological research and allied ... more The ever increasing knowledge of human behavior emanating from psychological research and allied disciplines is matched by the need for reliable and valid measures to assess the constructs used in both the research laboratory and applied settings. Measures of personality and social psychological factors have been a major contribution from psychology since the early part of the last century and continue to proliferate to this day. There is no lack of interest in the assessment of the wide range of personal characteristics, both familiar and novel, but rather a demand for more and better measures. The ever-increasing array of specific scales/measures available to researchers and practitioners alike is a sign of the strength of psychology's contributions to our knowledge of human behavior. Concurrent with our descriptions and models of human psychology have been advances in the methods underlying scale construction and validation. In contrast to how 'tests' of 100 years ago were constructed, standardized, and evaluated, there has been a steady evolution in both the foundations and methods of psychological measurement and in the rigor demanded by both researchers and practitioners over time. Psychologists and all others impacted by the study and applications of psychology expect the precision, exactness, and accuracy in the measures used to assess what are often theory driven constructs (latent traits) such as extraver-sion, anxiety/neuroticism, self-concept, narcissism, empathy, and perfectionism. Like subatomic particles and gravity in physics we cannot directly see such hypothetical constructs as intelligence or empathy, but we can infer their 'existence' because of observed individual differences in behavior. Thus, we can create quantitative models to describe these latent traits and, in the process, also develop measures that reflect their theoretical and operational definitions. The rapid growth of psychological tests was readily observed from the early part of the 20th century onward (see Gregory, 2014). By the third decade, the Mental Measurements Yearbook founded by O.K. Buros in 1938 (now 19th MMY; see Carlson, Geisinger, & Jonson 2014), along with the Tests in Print series, both published by the Buros Institute for Mental Measurements (now the Buros Center for Testing), was created to both catalogue and provide critical reviews by experts on the ever increasing number of assessment instruments. Large test publishing houses, focusing on the development and marketing of psychological tests appeared early in the last century such as Houghton Mifflin (now Riverside Publishing), and The Psychological Corporation (now Pearson) founded by J. McKean Cattell in 1921. A growing journal literature on assessment including both the foundations and professional psychology applications, but especially new measures, began to appear. Studies of assessment now appear in peer-reviewed journals such as Assessment; Applied Psychological Measurement; Educational and Psychological
This chapter concerns the scientific analysis of individual differences in human psychological fu... more This chapter concerns the scientific analysis of individual differences in human psychological functioning including personality structure, undertaken by the author over a 30-year period (Boyle, 2006b). A key aspect of this programmatic work has been the taxonomic delineation of psychological constructs relating to cognitive abilities, personality traits (both normal and abnormal), dynamic (motivation) traits and transitory (emotional/mood) states within the framework of the Cattellian psychometric model (e.g. see Cattell
Work and organisational psychology is a branch of mainstream psychology which has truly global re... more Work and organisational psychology is a branch of mainstream psychology which has truly global reach. This subject covers a broad array of aspects such as individual, team and organisational effectiveness, creativity and innovation, cross-cultural leadership and the organisation of health services, healthcare and employee well-being. In five thematic volumes, this collection brings together key papers on the topic, and together with the introductory chapters written by the Editor for each volume, is designed to serve the interests of psychology scholars, and also those involved in the social and behavioural sciences, more broadly.
Work and organizational psychology is a branch of mainstream psychology which has a truly global ... more Work and organizational psychology is a branch of mainstream psychology which has a truly global reach. This subject covers a broad array of aspects such as individual, team and organizational effectiveness, creativity and innovation, cross-cultural leadership and the organization of health services, health care and employee well-being. In five thematic volumes, this collection brings together key papers on the topic, and together with the introductory chapters written by the editors for each volume, is designed to serve the interests of psychology scholars, and also those involved in the social and behavioural sciences, more broadly.
Identifies the best scales/measures for use based on reliability, validity, and utility Inclu... more Identifies the best scales/measures for use based on reliability, validity, and utility Includes the measures/scales in full or in part where possible Contrasts similar measures to better understand when to use which scale and why Focuses on constructs of high research and professional interest
Measures of Personality and Social Psychological Constructs assists researchers and practitioners... more Measures of Personality and Social Psychological Constructs assists researchers and practitioners by identifying and reviewing the best scales/measures for a variety of constructs. Each chapter discusses test validity, reliability, and utility. Authors have focused on the most often used and cited scales/measures, with a particular emphasis on those published in recent years. Each scale is identified and described, the sample on which it was developed is summarized, and reliability and validity data are presented, followed by presentation of the scale, in full or in part, where such permission has been obtained.
This theoretical note describes an expansion of the behavioral prediction equation, in line with ... more This theoretical note describes an expansion of the behavioral prediction equation, in line with the greater complexity encountered in models of structured learning theory (R. B. Cattell, 1996a). This presents learning theory with a vector substitute for the simpler scalar quantities by which traditional Pavlovian-Skinnerian models have hitherto been represented. Structured learning can be demonstrated by vector changes across a range of intrapersonal psychological variables (ability, personality, motivation, and state constructs). Its use with motivational dynamic trait measures (R. B. Cattell, 1985) should reveal new theoretical possibilities for scientifically monitoring change processes (dynamic calculus model; R. B. Cattell, 1996b), such as encountered within psychotherapeutic settings ( R. B. Cattell, 1987). The enhanced behavioral prediction equation suggests that static conceptualizations of personality structure such as the Big Five model are less than optimal.
Uploads
Papers by Gregory Boyle
excessive reliance on item-transparent, self-report personality measures (Q-data), and of (2) the naive appeal of five-factor models (FFM), in which personality is conceived as a set of static traits not influenced by social experience. In addition, Engvik has attempted to disparage our call for greater emphasis on objective (non-fakeable) performance/test measures of personality (T-data). Despite Engvik's assertion that our arguments are indefensible, there is a great body of empirical evidence and published literature that verifies our view that self-report methodology is seriously flawed, and that conclusions drawn from such measures may be dubious.
problematic and often results in unreliable, invalid prediction. The main
problems have been, on one hand, the number of personality traits and on the other hand, the almost exclusive use of subjective self-report inventories (Q-data) that more or less automatically lead to biased or distorted judgments. The former problem no doubt is the reason for the popularity of the so-called "Big Five" personality dimensions. There are, however, strong reasons for questioning their validity. In order to remedy the latter problem, more research is needed to develop objective test (T-data) instruments similar, for example, to Cattell's Objective-Analytic Battery.
significant on all 8SQ factors but mainly on ergs, not sentiments, in the MAT. The state changes, notably on Anxiety, Regression, Depression and Guilt, were greater on the more shocking stimulus, while Fear rose and Narcism fell significantly on the MAT. Changes were greater on the unintegrated than integrated motivational components, confirming hypotheses by others.
excessive reliance on item-transparent, self-report personality measures (Q-data), and of (2) the naive appeal of five-factor models (FFM), in which personality is conceived as a set of static traits not influenced by social experience. In addition, Engvik has attempted to disparage our call for greater emphasis on objective (non-fakeable) performance/test measures of personality (T-data). Despite Engvik's assertion that our arguments are indefensible, there is a great body of empirical evidence and published literature that verifies our view that self-report methodology is seriously flawed, and that conclusions drawn from such measures may be dubious.
problematic and often results in unreliable, invalid prediction. The main
problems have been, on one hand, the number of personality traits and on the other hand, the almost exclusive use of subjective self-report inventories (Q-data) that more or less automatically lead to biased or distorted judgments. The former problem no doubt is the reason for the popularity of the so-called "Big Five" personality dimensions. There are, however, strong reasons for questioning their validity. In order to remedy the latter problem, more research is needed to develop objective test (T-data) instruments similar, for example, to Cattell's Objective-Analytic Battery.
significant on all 8SQ factors but mainly on ergs, not sentiments, in the MAT. The state changes, notably on Anxiety, Regression, Depression and Guilt, were greater on the more shocking stimulus, while Fear rose and Narcism fell significantly on the MAT. Changes were greater on the unintegrated than integrated motivational components, confirming hypotheses by others.
motivation, and state constructs). Its use with motivational dynamic trait measures (R. B. Cattell, 1985) should reveal new theoretical possibilities for scientifically monitoring change processes (dynamic calculus model; R. B. Cattell, 1996b), such as encountered within psychotherapeutic settings ( R. B. Cattell, 1987). The enhanced behavioral prediction equation suggests that static conceptualizations of personality
structure such as the Big Five model are less than optimal.