This paper examines the neurobiological explanatory trend in psychology, including the related and tacit roles of ontological materialism and reductionism. In addition, the role of Cartesian dualism in both psychology and cognitive neuroscience is explored. In both, the complex relationships between mind/brain and mind/body tend to be conceptualized through the framework of either ontic dualism or attribute dualism, both of which ultimately constrain notions of embodiment. Alternatively, this paper understands the body as the inseparable unity of being-in-the-world from which the Cartesian dichotomy of “mind” and “body” is abstracted. This alternative surpasses the constraints of dualism and reframes embodiment as intentionality incarnate and ultimately as “flesh.” The body, understood phenomenologically, emerges not as a “what” but as a “ what—how”—the manifestation in extension of our intentionality, the flesh of our projects in and of the world. We argue that this understanding is indispensable to a properly psychological perspective on embodiment.
havioral routines (Barsalou, 1993) and social psychologists' automatic attitude activation (Bargh, Chaiken, Govender, & Pratto, 1992;Bargh, Chaiken, Raymond, & Hymes, 1996) invite comparison with classic studies of operant conditioning without awareness (Hefferline, Keenan, & Harford, 1959;Sasmor, 1966). These diverse research programs converge on the inescapable conclusion that environmental context serves an essential function in the meaningful interpretation of behavior, regardless of the actor's awareness of or ability to articulate this context.Given the substantial volume of research cited by the authors of the recent American Psychologist articles and the seemingly incontestable documentation of behavioral automaticity, one wonders why such a series, along with the dialogue it is sure to provoke, has been so long in coming in psychology. Perhaps the answer is to be found in the title, "The Unbearable Automaticity of Being," of Bargh and Chartrand's (June 1999) lead article. No doubt to many psychologists the notion that people are neither voluntary nor rational architects of their own behavior is indeed unbearable and would most assuredly meet with resistance. It seems in fact a pretty safe bet that psychology will remain as reticent to abandon the notion of personal agency as evolutionary thinkers are to let go of the myth of progress.
No abstract
Many psychologists are aware of the ethical and inescapably valueladen nature of psychotherapy (cf., Kurtines, Azmitia, & Gewirtz, 1992). Research has demonstrated that case conceptualization, treatment intervention decisions, and therapy goals are all grounded from the outset in a guiding framework of values and broader ethical assumptions. Despite this awareness about values, however, much confusion persists about the nature and management of values in practice. Alan Tjeltveit's (1999) seminal work, Ethics and Values in Psychotherapy, seeks to address such questions among many others. Tjeltveit's fine book is one of the first works to comprehensively integrate the research regarding values inescapability with broader ethical theory and philosophy and its potential impact on psychology.In his extensive review, Tjeltveit explores the meaning of "psychotherapist as ethicist," the varied definitions of values, the relationship between science and ethics, the ethical nature of therapy goals and practice, and implications of these issues for public philosophy and professional ethics (p. 18). Tjeltveit notes that the ethical nature of psychotherapy has long been marginalized, and hence, rarely discussed. He argues that one reason for this marginalization has been psychology's commitment to the ideals of natural science. Such a commitment encourages "objectivity" and a "sole focus on scientific knowledge (interpreted as ethically neutral)" (p. 113). In other words, psychologists are supposed to be led by scientific and objective "facts" that have been freed from the biasing influence of things like subjective values. Indeed, in the realm of psychotherapy, such values are often presumed to distort and cloud the therapist's view of the client. Hence, maintaining an objective, and therefore value-free stance toward clients is often considered superior.In addition to psychology's commitment to this vision of science, a second hindrance to the explicit discussion of psychology's ethical character concerns the language of personality and psychotherapy theory. According to the author, such language "masks" the inherently ethical dimensions of the theories (p. 33). Tjeltveit explains that therapists use words like "healthy, 'well adjusted,' 'appropriate,' 'mature,' and 'rational,' -words that are not only descriptive, but evaluative, and therefore ethical (p. 33). Such terms describe what psychothera-This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.
Thanks especially to the good work of Sunil Bhatia, this year's Program Chair, the Division's program was an outstanding one. The program did particularly well to embody this year's divisional theme, "Theory, Practice and Identity in a Global and Culturally Diverse World," and featured both divisional "veterans" and newcomers to the Division. I also want to note the contributions made by Marissa Barnes and Basia Ellis, who ran this year's hospitality suite program. They did a wonderful job and deserve our heartfelt thanks-for their planning and organizational skills, their expertise and good taste in food and drink, and, not least, their hospitality. In terms of hospitality suite programming, two events deserve special mention: a conversation among those interested in exploring issues related to the psychology of aging and a conversation dedicated to exploring the Hoffman report and how the Division might best contribute to future efforts in rethinking ethics in the APA. On behalf of the Division, I want to recognize and express my gratitude to Lisa Osbeck, the Division's Council Representative, who worked hard to address issues tied to the Hoffman report and kept the Division abreast of any and all relevant Council activities. We are fortunate to have Lisa serving in this important role. Finally, we are also fortunate to be able to welcome new members of the Division's Executive Committee: Mary Beth Morrissey (Treasurer), Brent Dean Robbins (Member-at-Large), and Thomas Teo, who will be serving as both Presidentelect and, beginning in January, President. Next year's APA program will benefit from Josh Clegg's service as Program Chair. Following extensive dialogue with Steve Harrist before Steve's passing last year, Josh will be organizing next year's program under the theme of "Psychology's Moral Vision." This will be a fitting way both to honor Steve's legacy and to address some of the many issues and challenges that have emerged this year in the APA.
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