In order to evaluate the effects of bias among psychologists, two virtually identical abstracts of presumably empirical research in the area of astrology were prepared, one with positive findings and the other with negative findings. The data collected by mail from a random selection of professional psychologists indicated that those Ss receiving the negative abstract rated the study as better designed, more valid, and as having more adequate conclusions than those receiving the positive abstract. The many emotionally charged spontaneous comments included with the responses suggests that strong affective reactions are involved, as well as prejudgments.
The several approaches by which psychology can be used to enhance human welfare are analyzed according to a conceptually developed matrix. The approaches include clinical psychology, community mental health, community psychology, and public policy psychology. In each case the approach is analyzed in terms of the intended target, the content of the intervention, the process involved in the intervention approach, and the knowledge base necessary for attempting such interventions. The present analysis highlights the differences between community psychology and community mental health and concludes that community psychology should disengage itself from the community mental health movement if it is to fulfill its most important functions of interfacing with the social systems of deviance control and of socialization and support.
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