The behavioral sciences in the computer age

Elwork, Amiram; Gutkin, Terry B.

doi:10.1016/0747-5632(85)90003-2

Cited by 21 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The complexity of McManus’s calculations required digital methods from the start, and McManus did not stop at verifying his model through the data but successively adapted his model to fit the data. Whereas many psychologists hesitated to embrace computers in the 1970s and 1980s (Elwork and Gutkin, 1985), McManus started using punched cards during his undergraduate studies (McManus, 1979). To formulate his genetic model of handedness, McManus (ibid.: 249–54, 273–85) depended on ‘corrections’ of the data (for instance, to offset response bias or measurement error) and on successively ‘fitting’ the model to the data.…”

Section: Computerized Statistics As a Technology Of (Dis)empowermentmentioning

confidence: 99%

An even-handed debate? The sexed/gendered controversy over laterality genes in British psychology, 1970s–1990s

Cornel

2020

History of the Human Sciences

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This article provides insight into the entwinement of the allegedly neutral category of handedness with questions of sex/gender, reproduction, dis/ability, and scientific authority. In the 1860s, Paul Broca suggested that the speech centre sat in the left brain hemisphere in most humans, and that right-handedness stemmed from this asymmetry. One century later, British psychologists Marian Annett and Chris McManus proposed biologically unconfirmed theories of how handedness and brain asymmetry were passed on in families. Their idea to integrate chance into genetic models of handedness was novel, and so was their use of computerized statistics to parse out the incidence of handedness genotypes and phenotypes. Notwithstanding significant conceptual and methodological overlaps, McManus and Annett did not collaborate and proposed competing theories. I analyse the sexed/gendered dimensions of their controversy by drawing on published literature, unpublished documents, and oral history interviews. I first attend to the epistemological importance of sex/gender. Both psychologists published several iterations of their models, which increasingly relied on questions of sex/gender and reproduction. Annett additionally linked handedness with stereotypically gendered cognitive abilities. Second, I argue that using masculine-coded computer technologies contributed to Annett’s professional marginalization whereas similar methods endowed McManus with surplus authority. Finally, I show that Annett’s complicity in stabilizing sociocultural hierarchies within her theory mirrored her personal experience of marginalization based on sex/gender, age, education, and lack of institutional affiliation. This analysis exemplifies the entanglement of cognitive and social factors in scientific controversies and adds to the literature on 20th-century British women psychologists.

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Section: Computerized Statistics As a Technology Of (Dis)empowermentmentioning

confidence: 99%

An even-handed debate? The sexed/gendered controversy over laterality genes in British psychology, 1970s–1990s

Cornel

2020

History of the Human Sciences

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“…Many prominent scientists, futurists, political leaders, and members of the media have suggested that computers represent a revolutionary technological development as significant as written language and the printed book (Elwork & Gutkin, 1985). There is no doubt that computers have already had a profound impact on such everyday activities as checking out groceries from the supermarket, withdrawing money from the bank, driving late-model cars, and placing airline reservations (Elwork & Gutkin, 1985). Future applications are likely to be even more dramatic.…”

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confidence: 99%

Impact of computers on professional practice: A survey of current practices and attitudes.

Farrell¹

1989

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice

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Surveyed 227 practicing psychologists to explore the impact of computers on the everyday practice of psychology and practitioners' attitudes toward specific uses of computers. Whereas more than half of the respondents reported using computers in their practices, most restricted their use to clerical applications. Few practitioners used their computer for more clinical applications. Reasons most frequently reported for not using computers related to lacking the necessary skills and experience and to financial considerations. Overall, practitioners had positive attitudes toward a variety of specific applications of computers. Implications of these findings for facilitating the appropriate use of computers by practitioners are discussed. 172This 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.

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“…Taylor (1980) is a good general source that outlines the major roles that computers can play. Another more recent analysis of the effects of computers in the behavioral sciences is presented by Elwork and Gutkin (1985), whose bibliography is valuable for those of you just becoming interested in computers and psychology.…”

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confidence: 99%

Computers and psychology.

Jay¹

1987

The G. Stanley Hall Lecture Series, Vol. 7.

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Introducing Computers to Psychology Studentsam compelled to make two preliminary remarks before discussing I the role of computers in psychology. First, most of the revolution in microcomputers in psychology has occurred within the last decade or two. Computers, software, and research on them are evolving so rapidly that much of what I have written here may be obsolete in a few years. Second, psychology instructors should teach introductory students with unfaltering enthusiasm about subjects that are interesting, true to our discipline, and important to the lecturer. Computers are interesting to students because we make them seem so. Computers and technology are topics that many freshmen do not associate with psychology. Once the topic is presented, most students become attentive and enthusiastic about future uses and employment trends for psychologists with computer training. A discussion of computers and psychology will show students the extent to which psychologists are involved in the electronic revolution, and how psychologists' research will influence our future environments and quality of life.People do not decide to use computers merely because of a flashy piece of software or expensive hardware. People decide to use computers because they see the applicability of them. To lecture on com-93

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The behavioral sciences in the computer age

Cited by 21 publications

References 42 publications

An even-handed debate? The sexed/gendered controversy over laterality genes in British psychology, 1970s–1990s

An even-handed debate? The sexed/gendered controversy over laterality genes in British psychology, 1970s–1990s

Impact of computers on professional practice: A survey of current practices and attitudes.

Computers and psychology.

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