DIALOGUE VolumePage 17, 1 No. 2 ______DIALOGUE DIALOGUE Fall, 2002
The Official Newsletter of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Chris Crandall & Monica Biernat, Co-Editors SPSP Announces Summer Institute in Social Psychology for Graduate Students Inside the Current Issue: By Eliot Smith Boulder, July 13-26, 2003. also sign up for one of two Plans are to offer SISP at a methodological workshops, different site every two to be held on the middle SPSP Executive 2 With funding from the Committee report National Science years thereafter in odd- weekend of the two-week Foundation, the Society of numbered summers, to course period. The Graduate student news: 4 Personality and Social alternate with the European instructors and topics for New poster award Psychology (SPSP) will Association summer SISP 2003 have not been offer a two-week intensive schools, which are held in finalized yet, but will be Comings and goings 6 summer school for even-numbered years. listed in the official predoctoral students in announcement due out in The institute can late October 2002. Publications Committee 8 social psychology (and a report limited number of accommodate a total of 100 students. Each student will The fee for each student will postdoctoral individuals). President’s Column: 9 enroll in one of five full- be $200, which covers The Summer Institute in Steele on APA Social Psychology (SISP) is length courses, each taught tuition, housing in shared modeled on the highly by two nationally prominent dorm-style rooms, and Scientists’ responses to 10 successful summer school co-instructors. The courses meals. Students will also be innovative research of the European Association will be intensive, involving responsible for their own of Experimental Social readings, seminar-style travel to and from the SISP How to choose scientific 12 Psychology, and the discussion, one-on-one site in Boulder, Colorado. problems to pursue European Association is a consultations with the instructors, and A limited number of Dealing with graduate 16 co-sponsor of SISP. The student concerns first SISP will be held on development and scholarships (covering the the campus of the presentation of concrete $200 fee and an additional research plans by the amount toward travel Aronson on 30 years of 18 University of Colorado, “The Social Animal” students. Each student will (Continued on page 2) Passings 21 Two PSPB Authors Share specifically mention PSPB in their award citation for Research ethics in 22 Nobel Prize in Economics either author. Dialogue will Canada not make this oversight: The 2002 Nobel Prize in economics, especially Life at RAND 25 Economics was awarded to concerning human judgment Jacowitz, K.E. & Kahneman, Daniel Kahneman of and decision-making under D. (1995) Measures of Princeton University and uncertainty.” The Nobel anchoring in estimation Morf on social 26 Vernon Smith of George Committee cited Smith “for tasks. PSPB, 21, 1161-1166. neuroscience at NIH Mason University. Both having established winners have published their laboratory experiments as a Kurzban, R., McCabe, K. Liberman on the NIJ 27 work in Personality and tool in empirical economic Smith, V.L. & Wilson, B.J. Social Psychology Bulletin. analysis, especially in the (2001). Incremental The Nobel Committee cited study of alternative market commitment and reciprocity SPSP Awards 29, Kahneman “for having mechanisms”. in a real-time public goods 31 integrated insights from Surprisingly, the Nobel game. PSPB, 27, 1662-1673.■ Convention update 29 psychological research into Committee did not Page 2 DIALOGUE Dispatches from the SPSP Executive Committee
Dateline: Chicago social/personality psychologists are considered full voting members, and Executive Committee, August 26, 2002, desirable to have. In addition, there is should pay full member dues. Student University of Illinois at Chicago extremely high level of pressure on the membership is not available to post- SPSP winter meeting–presenting at the docs. The Society is making comfortable conference has become highly progress toward its goal of supporting desirable, and we cannot accommodate Budget and Publications. The two and training personality and social all those who want to participate (see major sources of income for the psychologists, and disseminating the President's Column on p. 9). The Society and its activities are PSPB and scientific and professional information. discussion went on at length, and SPSP members' dues, in that order. For the The Executive Committee covered a considered, without adopting, a number first time, PSPR is starting to bring in wide range of issues this summer. of steps. Look for more news on this institutional revenues at a reasonable front in future issues of Dialogue. rate, though it is still not profitable for Psychology Conventions. One question the Society. Due to the contract with the was raised by President Claude Election Results. Harry Reis, the LEA, SPSP is a partner with the Steele was "why don't our people go to Executive Officer, reported the results publisher in any profits that the journal the APA convention?" There has been of the spring elections. The President- generates above expenses. We are still a substantial drop-off of attendees from Elect is Hazel Markus, who will serve eager to garner more institutional SPSP at APA. This is a problem for as President in 2004. The new subscriptions--if your institution does several reasons. There is some real Member-At-Large is David Dunning. not receive PSPR, please encourage advantage to a significant personality Both positions are voting members of them adopt it. The Editor will continue and social psychology presence at the the Executive Council. to be Eliot Smith for several years, and convention, especially in terms of how the early calculation of impact ratings APA spends its considerable budget for Membership Issues. The Society now for the journal are very promising. lobbying, public relations, and has 3,738 members. Despite a dues scientific governance and funding. In raise, the growth of the organization Awards. The 2002 Henry A. Murray addition, some cross-pollination of has not slowed. One clarification was Award was awarded to David Winter ideas and research can contribute to the made; post-doctoral fellows, that is, of the University of Michigan. The health of the field. Social and people who have completed the Ph.D. Murray Committee was chaired by personality psychologists do like to get but are continuing their education in a Barbara Woike. The 2002 Donald together, and conventions that are open temporary position, either on grant or Campbell Award was awarded to Hazel to all, and have a critical mass of some other funding arrangement, are (Continued on page 3)
SPSP Announces Summer Institute in Social Psychology for Graduate Students
(Continued from page 1) a limited number of predoctoral the SPSP Executive Committee. expenses) will be awarded to students students from outside the U.S. and General policies are being developed on the basis of financial need and Canada, will also be accepted. Finally, and the first SISP is being planned by academic merit. the European Association will select an Advisory Committee consisting of and sponsor five graduate students Chick Judd, Harry Reis, Geraldine Predoctoral students who are members from Europe to attend SISP. The Downey, John Jost, Brenda Major, Gün of SPSP and who are enrolled in application deadline is January 1, 2003. Semin (as a representative of the graduate programs in the U.S. or European Association), and Eliot Smith Canada, who have completed one to The plan for a U.S. summer school (Chair). four years (inclusive) of graduate study loosely based on the European at the time of application, are eligible Association model was developed, and Complete information on SISP 2003, to apply. (In other words, students the NSF proposal to secure the funding including details of eligibility enrolled in their second through fifth was written, by Chick Judd, Harry requirements and application years of graduate study at the time of Reis, and Eliot Smith. They received procedures, will be widely publicized application are eligible.) A limited generous advice and support from soon, including announcements on the number of recent PhDs who have not Steven Breckler at the National Science SPSP e-mail list and on the SPSP web yet accepted tenure-track positions, and Foundation, as well as the backing of site at http://www.spsp.org/sisp/. ■ DIALOGUEDIALOGUE PagePage 3 3
Dispatches from the SPSP Executive Committee, Continued
(Continued from page 2) There were over 800 poster travel award in plenary session. Markus of Stanford. The Campbell submissions, and the committee was Committee was chaired by Leslie able to schedule over 700. As in Convention, 2004. The 2004 Zebrowitz. The 2002 Jack Block previous years, there are more Convention will be held at a brand new Award was awarded to Paul Ekman of submissions from what is traditionally hotel in Austin, Texas, January 28-31. UC-San Francisco. The Block considered social psychology than what The planned room rate $135 single/ Committee was chaired by David is traditionally considered personality. double. Funder. The Society is again considering the Summer Institute for Social The Society added two new awards, to idea of limiting how many times people Psychology. One of the major recognize service to SPSP and may present to the conference. One initiatives of SPSP has been the personality/social psychology. One proposal was to limit individuals to one creation of a training institute for social award is for service to SPSP, and the oral presentation every two years (not psychologists, patterned on the highly other award is for service on behalf of including award addresses). There is a successful European summer session. the society, to the field of personality/ strong need to generate as much This was created with the close social psychology in general. For diversity on the program, given the cooperation of Steve Breckler of NSF, Service to the Society, the first awards substantial pressure to present at the along with Elliot Smith, Harry Reis and go separately to Martin Chemers (who, conference. Chick Judd. A full story is on p. 1. among other things, set the society on a Everyone involved with the institute firm financial path as Secretary/ Because the SPSP Meetings are rapidly believes that it is going to be very cool- Treasurer), and to Bibb Latané (among becoming an important part of -and they are probably right. other things, the driving force behind scientific dissemination of personality the creation of PSPB). For Service on and social psychology, the Society is Endowment Funds. The Society is Behalf of the Society, the first awards considering the possibility of making a currently in very good fiscal shape, but go separately to Steve Breckler (among "13th" issue of PSPB as a program/ the Executive Committee is still other things, the Social Psychology supplement. This was one of the making long-term plans against director at NSF) and to Fred Rhodewalt original purposes of PSPB, which has unforeseen contingencies. For example, (among other things, the founder of the since been set aside. It is likely that we are currently very dependent upon Social Psychology Winter Sage Publications would publish income from PSPB (and soon, one Conference) . The SPSP student supplement at no additional cost to hopes, PSPR), but the move toward publication award winner was Antonio members, saving the Society about $10 electronic publishing may significantly L. Freitas of Yale University. [For per program. This issue is being affect the budget. One possible more details on this year’s awards, see pursued by the SPSP Main Office. initiative is to create an independent p. 29 and p. 31 of this issue.] Next endowment, based on gift funds from year's Student Publication Prize has Student travel awards. There is a desire the membership. The Society may been raised from $200 to $300. to increase the total number of awards. consider making appeals to the There were 160 applications for 40 membership for these funds, providing SPSP Convention.The SPSP awards, and student participation at the an opportunity to donate on dues Convention continues to grow in conference is highly desirable for mailings, and appealing to retiring strength, visibility, and number. The students and faculty alike. There are members or those making estate plans member registration will go up to $140 plans to reformulate the application for to help provide for an endowment. All for the next convention (up from $130), travel awards, with students not of these options are still in the while student registration will stay at rewriting abstracts, and sending a CV, discussion phase. ■ $90. The Convention is a large budget but rather having everyone present the item, and is not a moneymaker for the same information, in the same format. Society—breaking even is the goal. The current format makes comparisons The current budget plan is that the among applicants difficult and time convention be self-supporting, with all consuming. expenses for the event paid for by registration fees. In future meetings, there is a plan for papers selected for student travel The next convention will be in Los awards to be placed in a prominent Angeles, in Universal City. There were position and thus be more likely to be 59 symposium submissions, and the seen and read by conferees. This will committee was able to schedule 30. be in addition to the presentation of the Page 4 DIALOGUE
SPSP Graduate Committee: More good news for graduate students By Camille Johnson time, many described the poster positions will be up for election and sessions as both fun and rewarding. self-nominations are encouraged. For We know, we know, you’ve got a Rather than creating a new forum for more information, see our webpage. proposal to get to your advisor, graduate student research, which would readings to complete for next week’s be nearly impossible given the intense Elections will be conducted through the class, and you still need to explain to and action-packed schedule that graduate student listserv. If you are not your parents what exactly it is that you already exists, we decided to enhance a member of the graduate student do. But, please, take a moment to read the already successful poster sessions. listserv, you will not receive election these mere 900 words. They’ll change We are pleased to introduce the information or ballots. The listserv is your life. Or, at least, they could… “Graduate Poster Awards” or GPA. used for all communications that are of GPA will be awarded to two different interest only to graduate students Universal City, here we come! graduate students in each poster (including the GSC Newsletter) and is As we did last year, the Graduate session, based on their submitted extremely low volume, with very few Student Committee will be creating a written abstract, their actual poster at messages passed on by our moderator. list of alternative (e.g., cheaper) hotels SPSP, and their interaction with our Please, subscribe to the listserv. To in the Los Angeles area, as well as three secret judges. Judges will do so, send an e-mail to providing a forum for individuals to covertly evaluate posters and poster [email protected] with find roommates. This information will presenters in each session. Just prior to the following message: SUBSCRIBE be sent to the graduate student listserv the end of the session, judges will SPSP-GRAD
APA Council Revises Ethics Code, Grapples With Budget, Promotes Graduate Students By June Tangney drop in book and journal sales. The Council also voted to give graduate deficit also highlighted APA’s ever- students (APAGS) one voting seat on Monica Biernat and I, representing Div. decreasing cash reserves. Although the Council and one non-voting seat on the 8, attended the APA Council of association is in good financial shape Board of Directors. Funding was also Representatives meetings in Chicago due to real estate investments and approved for the development of a new on Wednesday August 21 and Sunday continued large profits from books and magazine targeted toward graduate August 25. Council considered a journals, our assets are not very liquid. students. number of items of potential interest to Council approved the CFO’s proposal personality and social psychologists. to refinance the real estate debt with Members of the “science” caucus met better terms and to buy out a on several occasions during the week Culminating five years of work partnership with the National of the APA convention, discussing revising the APA Ethics Code, Council Association of Social Workers. Both ways to enhance the representation and voted to approve (with minor transactions promote liquidity and effectiveness of science at all levels of modifications) draft 7 of the revised improve the long-term financial APA governance. APA is a large, code. Revisions were aimed to clarify picture. well-organized association that can do and streamline the previous code, and much to further the interests of to update the code in response to new Unfortunately, Council rejected a behavioral science. It is critical that developments in the field (e.g., internet motion to increase editors’ stipends and SPSP members become actively use, genetic research). to provide FTE buy-outs for editors involved in APA boards and interested in taking an active role in committees. Also critical for the Council also grappled with balancing science advocacy and public policy immediate future–don’t throw out your the budget, with a substantial shortfall relevant to research in their journals. I ballot: Vote in the October presidential in revenues during FY2001. Revenues plan to pursue this initiative in later election! ■ were down largely due to a post-9/11 sessions of Council. Page 6 DIALOGUE
Coming and Goings: New Hires and Moves Trying to track your colleagues? Below is an alphabetical list of recent job moves that social/personality psychologists have made (moves to post-docs and sabbaticals are not included). This list is surely not complete, but we’ve included everything that was sent to us. Bob Kleck pointed out that the more interesting information would be why people have moved, but we didn’t solicit that this time! All moves happened this fall, except where otherwise noted; year and location of Ph.D. appear in parentheses:
Jack Bauer (1999, Catholic University of America), from a post-doc at Northwestern University to Northern Arizona University.
Roy Baumeister (1978, Princeton University), from Case Western Reserve University to Florida State University.
Hart Blanton (1994, Princeton University), from University of Albany to University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Patricia Bruininks (2002, University of Oregon), to Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas.
Lorne Campbell (2001, Texas A&M), from Simon Fraser University to the University of Western Ontario.
C. Y. Chiu (1994, Columbia University), from the University of Hong Kong to the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Dov Cohen (1994, University of Michigan), from the University of Waterloo to the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Nilanjana (Buju) Dasgupta (1998, Yale University), from the New School for Social Research to University of Massachusetts–Amherst (January 2003).
Joanne Davila (1993, UCLA), from SUNY-Buffalo to SUNY-Stony Brook.
Thierry Devos (1997, University of Lausanne) from post-docs at Yale University and UC-Santa Barbara, to San Diego State University.
Christian End (2002, Miami University), to the University of Missouri-Rolla.
Brooke Feeney (1999, SUNY-Buffalo) from a post-doc at the University of Maryland to Carnegie-Mellon University.
Melissa Ferguson (2002, NYU) to Cornell University.
Margaret Foddy (1975, University of British Columbia) from La Trobe University, Melbourne, to Carleton University, Ottawa.
Antonio L. Freitas (2002, Yale University), to SUNY-Stony Brook.
Ronald S. Friedman (1999, Columbia University), from a post-doc at University of Maryland to the University of Missouri, Columbia.
Kathleen Fuegen (2002, University of Kansas), to Ohio State University, Lima.
Marylène Gagné (2000, University of Rochester), to the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, Montreal.
Cindy Gallois (1979, University of Florida) from the School of Psychology to Directorship of the Centre for Social Research in Communication, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Steve Garcia, (2002, Princeton University), to the University of Michigan, School of Public Policy.
Azenett Garza (2002, University of Texas–El Paso) to Weber State.
Bill Graziano (1977, University of Minnesota), from Texas A&M to Purdue University (Department of Child Development and Family Studies).
Kyunghee Han (1993, University of Minnesota), from the University of Mississippi to Central Michigan University.
Kenneth C. Herbst (2002, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill) to Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA.
Tony Hermann (2002, Ohio State University), to Kalamazoo College.
Robert Hitlan (2002, University of Texas–El Paso), to the University of Northern Iowa. (Continued on page 7) DIALOGUE Page 7
Coming and Goings: New Hires and Moves, Continued (Continued from page 6)
Gordon Hodson (1999, University of Western Ontario) from post-docs at Colgate University and the University of Western Ontario, to the University of Wales Swansea (UK).
Ying-yi Hong (1994, Columbia University), from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to the University of Illinois, Urbana- Champaign.
Matthew Hornsey (1999, University of Queensland), from a post-doc at the University of Queensland to the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia (January 2002).
Lynne Jackson (1997, University of Western Ontario), from Ryerson University, Toronto, to King's College, University of Western Ontario, London (July 2003).
Page Jerzak (2002, Syracuse University), from Trinity University to Indiana University-East.
Kerry Kawakami (1995, University of Toronto), from University of Nijmegen to York University, Toronto.
Marc Kiviniemi (2002, University of Minnesota), to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Bill Klein (1991, Princeton University) from Colby College to the University of Pittsburgh.
Brian Knutson (1993, Stanford University), from NIH to Stanford University (Fall 2001).
Erika J. Koch (2002, University of Florida) to McDaniel College, Westminster, MD.
Robert Kurzban (1998, University of California, Santa Barbara) from a post-doc at the UCLA Department of Anthropology to the University of Pennsylvania.
Virginia S. Y. Kwan (2002, University of California-Berkeley) to Princeton University.
Elizabeth Loftus (1970, Stanford University), from the University of Washington to the University of California, Irvine (Department of Psychology & Social Behavior and the Department of Criminology, Law, & Society).
Christine Lomore (2002, the University of Waterloo) to St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia.
Brian Lowery (2002, UCLA) to Stanford Graduate School of Business).
Geoff MacDonald (2000, University of Waterloo), from a post-doc at Wake Forest University to the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Charlotte Markey (2002, University of California, Riverside), to Rutgers University, Camden.
Patrick Markey (2002, University of California, Riverside), to Rutgers University, Camden.
Barbara Masser (1999, University of Kent), from the University of Newcastle to the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia (January 2002).
Michael McCullough (1995, Virginia Commonwealth University), from Southern Methodist University to the University of Miami.
Cindy McPherson Frantz (2000, University of Massachusetts), from Amherst College to Oberlin College.
Dale Miller (1975, University of Waterloo) from Princeton University to Stanford University (Business School and Psychology Department).
Benoit Monin (2001, Princeton University) to Stanford University (Fall 2001).
Geoff Munro (1997, Kent State), from St. Mary’s College of Maryland to Towson University.
Ian Newby-Clark (2000, University of Waterloo), from the University of Windsor to the University of Guelph.
Ara Norenzayan (1999, University of Michigan), from the University of Illinois to the University of British Columbia.
(Continued on page 8) Page 8 DIALOGUE
Coming and Goings: New Hires and Moves, Continued
(Continued from page 7) Brian Nosek (2002, Yale University), to University of Virginia.
Sabine Otten (1990, University of Muenster) from University of Jena to University of Groningen, the Netherlands.
Keith Payne (2002, Washington University) to Ohio State University.
Cynthia Pickett (1999, Ohio State University), from the University of Illinois to the University of Chicago.
Tamarha Pierce (1999, McGill University), from Concordia University to Laval University, Quebec City.
Steven M. Platek (2002, SUNY–Albany), to Drexel University, Philadelphia.
Barton Poulson (1999, City University of New York Graduate Center), from Brigham Young University to Utah Valley State College.
Emily Pronin (2001, Stanford University), from a post-doc at Harvard to Princeton University.
Neal Roese (1993, University of Western Ontario), from Simon Fraser University to University of Illinois
Gretchen B. Sechrist (2000, University of Maryland, from a post-doc at Penn State to SUNY-Buffalo.
Paul Silvia (2001, University of Kansas), from the University of Hamburg to the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.
Eliot Smith (1975, Harvard University), from Purdue University to Indiana University August, 2003.
Dianne Tice (1987, Princeton University), from Case Western Reserve University to Florida State University.
Alex Todorov (2002, NYU), to Princeton University.
Tamara Towles-Schwen (2002, Indiana University), to Buffalo State (SUNY).
Jeanne Tsai (1996, University of California-Berkeley), from the University of Minnesota to Stanford University (Fall 2001).
Jean Twenge (1998, University of Michigan) from post-doc at Case Western Reserve University to San Diego State University (Fall 2001).
Joe Vandello (2000, University of Illinois), from a post-doc at Princeton to the University of South Florida.
Rich Wiener (1981, University of Houston), from Baruch College, CUNY, to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Connie Wolfe (1999, University of Michigan), from Hanover College to Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA.
John M. Zelenski (2002, Washington University), to Carleton University.■
This is the first appearance of the year, and if there is demand for space, happy to include others in subsequent “Comings and Goings” feature. We every issue. If you know of someone editions. We don’t mind printing old apologize if we have not listed you. not on this list and should be, please news, if you don’t mind reading it! We expect to run this feature every contact the Editors, and we will be -The Editors
publication lags had decreased to SPSP Publication Committee Report between six and seven months, cutting the “traditional” lag in half. By David Dunning from the editorship of Jerry Suls to Submissions to the journal continue at Fred Rhodewalt. Publication lags at a very healthy clip, with roughly 500 The year 2002 was a year of continued the journal, traditionally a sore spot, submissions expected for 2002. To growth and vigor for journals continue their trend toward shortening. help handle this load, Margo Monteith sponsored by SPSP. For the issues of calendar year 2002, has graciously agreed to serve as a the average publication lag was eight sixth associate editor for the journal. Personality and Social Psychology months (down from a recent high of 13 Bulletin continues its smooth transition months). At the end of the year, (Continued on page 31) DIALOGUE Page 9
PRESIDENT’S COLUMN But why don’t we go? It is not difficult SPSP, APA, and the Place to Be to come up with reasons. APA is too big. It is too hot in the middle of Au- By Claude Steele go to, in a warm place in the middle of gust in Chicago. How many meetings winter, where one can meet almost any can one person go to each year? The Back in the old days, one of the psy- social or personality psychologist. An winter SPSP and SESP are enough for chology events I enjoyed most was the embodied center of gravity is back. So any one year. I sympathize with these Division 8 cocktail party at APA. The perhaps we should leave well-enough reasons, especially the last one. More spectacle of 500 or so slightly inebri- alone. than two meetings a year is a lot. But ated, intensely chattering social and some years, I could easily make the personality psychologists, infused with But I am reminded of an argument that summer meeting one of my meetings to interested graduate students, gave one Bibb Latané made many times about attend. I suspect the main reason we an image of the field as a bee hive, journal space in our field: that we have don’t go, is that it has become norma- communicating, energetic, busy. It em- more valuable work than the available tive not to go to APA. Entrained by bodied a center of gravity in the field. It number of journal pages enables us to various reasons over the years not to was intimidating to break into, but it publish. Our page limitation made our go, we don’t go now because well… was exciting. rejection rates almost twice that of we don’t go. many natural sciences. He founded Then, for all kinds of good reasons, PSPB to help the situation. And I doubt But if we did go, SPSP might come to scientists began to back away from that many of us would now say that the have two very vibrant, inclusive meet- APA meetings. Div. 8 people scattered field does not need that journal. ings each year. Right now the program across other meetings. For senior social committee for the winter SPSP meeting psychologists, SESP became the big, You can sense where I am going. Em- gets more than enough high quality center-of-gravity meeting. But graduate bedded in the success of the winter symposia and posters to fill two pro- students and younger faculty couldn’t PSPB meeting is a worry: a symposia grams a year. go in significant numbers, and person- rejection rate near 75% is too high. ality psychologists tended toward other Without making the meeting longer and There is another huge advantage that meetings. SPSP began to meet in con- more expensive, or foregoing plenary APA offers our field; outreach. There junction with APS. But that meeting— sessions, it is difficult to bring that are important contributions to be made perhaps because it was a pre-meeting— number down. Like our need for more by reaching out to researchers, teach- never got very big. Graduate students journal pages, we may need another ers, and clinicians who aren't main- and younger faculty during this era, meeting. We may be too big of a sci- stream social psychologists. If we only didn’t have a center-of-gravity meeting. ence to confine to a single large meet- speak to each other, how will our re- ing with a handful of symposia. search have an impact on other subdis- The winter meeting of SPSP fixed all ciplines of the field and on application? of this. It was a stroke of genius on the We do have another meeting, the Divi- I went to APA in Chicago this past part of the leadership. It immediately sion 8, SPSP meeting each summer at summer. The program was first-rate, showed us what we had been miss- APA. While the rejection rate for the with names like Cacioppo, Pennebaker, ing—a bee hive meeting that included winter meeting is near 75%, the rejec- Cialdini, McClintock, Peplau, Nisbett, the energies of all parts of the field. tion rate at the summer meeting is … Zimbardo, to mention just a few. Mal- Attendance has grown every year, well … let’s just say that the program colm Gladwell and Studs Terkel were reaching nearly 1400 in Savannah, a chairs often have to go-a-lookin’. So worth the price of a ticket too. And I number we expect to at least match this what’s the problem? Why don’t we just met a lot of interesting psychologists year, even in far-away Los Angeles come back to the old APA-linked sum- who weren’t social psychologists. I was (that’s a West Coast joke). It has mer meeting of SPSP? We certainly surprised at how gratifying the program quickly become the meeting for social have the content for it. and the experience was. and personality psychologists. Accordingly, people want to present The problem is that we don’t go to So I would urge those of us in the midst their work at it. Appearance on the pro- APA. Aside from a few invited speak- of planning and preparing symposia to gram is now very hard-won. The rejec- ers and the SPSP executive committee consider both SPSP outlets: next sum- tion rate for submitted symposia is (required by our continuing affiliation mer’s SPSP meeing in Toronto along close to 75%, making it almost as diffi- with APA to meet at its yearly conven- with this winter’s meeting in Los An- cult to appear at SPSP as it is to appear tion) you have to look long and hard to geles. Los Angeles is nice in the win- in JPSP or PSPB. Something very find a social psychologist at APA. And ter; but Toronto ain’t that bad in the important has been achieved: a really of course, that fact makes the meeting a summer. high quality meeting that everyone can less desirable place to present research. Page 10 DIALOGUE
Scientists' Response to Innovative Research: An empirical Demonstration By Chris Crandall and who uses them has their research set innovative ideas. This is the defensive back." Thus, for reasons both hypothesis. Mark Schaller institutional and personal, even the
"We ought not be over-anxious to most appealing ideas are viewed with To compare these hypotheses, we encourage innovation," wrote Charles scientific skepticism until they have presented psychological scientists with Caleb Colton (1821, p. 581), "for an been verified through rigorous vignettes describing either highly or old system must ever have two empirical study. Scientists call upon modestly innovative research, with advantages over a new one; it is both values—novelty and veracity— either strong or weak results; established, and it is understood." when evaluating scientific manuscripts. respondents (N=83) made publication Colton was no scientist, but many recommendations. scientists grudgingly agree that Although novelty and veracity are entrenched systems of belief do enjoy conceptually distinct, they are Method advantages over new ideas. psychologically intertwined. Innovative ideas seem less true. Veracity Participants were members of the The pursuit of truly innovative, original judgments are guided by Bayesian Society of Experimental Social ideas is fundamental to the progress of inference—confidence in the truth of a Psychology, a highly respected science. Virtually every influential hypothesis is substantially based on the scientific society (election to which philosophy of science accords a central perceived prior probability that it's true depends on a strong record of role to the introduction of novel ideas (Gigerenzer & Murray, 1987). research), and were experienced peer- (e.g., Feyerabend, 1975; Kuhn, 1977; Hypotheses derived from truly reviewers. Participants were randomly Lakatos, 1970; Popper, 1972). Hull innovative theories have low prior assigned to read one of 4 vignettes (1988, p. 254) summarized succinctly probabilities. When evaluating describing a manuscript submitted to a the necessity of innovation: "without innovative research, scientists prestigious journal; the research alternatives to be selected, scientific experience a value-conflict: Innovation reported in the manuscript was either change cannot occur." For this reason, values incline us positively toward conceptually Old or New, which was scientists are trained to value and novelty, but veracity values incline us crossed with research described as encourage new ideas. The sociologist negatively towards it. either empirically Weak or Strong. of science Robert Merton (1957, p. 645) observed, "originality can be said How do scientists resolve this conflict? Participants in the "New" conditions to be a major institutional goal of Weak data may not overcome the read, "The research is in a brand-new science, at times the paramount one." skepticism that attends innovative area, where there is little previous ideas; but if data are strong, then research. The theory from which Scientists value more than mere innovative work should be seen hypotheses are drawn is novel, and has originality. Perhaps even more especially positively. We call this the not been tested empirically. The paramount is the value placed on truth. empiricist hypothesis. methods used are also relatively new, As Merton (1996, p. 268) wrote, "The without a strong track record in social institutional goal of science is the But scientists are also seriously psychological research." By contrast, extension of certified knowledge". In concerned about pragmatic personal participants in the "Old" conditions fact, within many philosophies of outcomes. Here the tug-of-war of read, "The research is in a well- science, the term "knowledge" itself values is tilted in favor of veracity. established area, where there is a implies veracity (Bechtel, 1988). The Careers are rarely imperiled by non- relatively long history of prior work. reasons for the virtues of veracity lie publication of others’ innovative The theory from which hypotheses are not merely in the abstract ethos of research; but the publication of drawn is well-established and has been science, but in the personal misleading new findings has supported by much previous research. consequences that individual scientists detrimental consequences for scientists The methods used are familiar and may suffer when false beliefs are who trust them (Hull, 1988). time-tested." admitted into the published scientific literature. Scientists depend on this Weak results are unlikely to inspire Participants in the "Strong" cells then literature to guide their own research, others, limiting the “threat” of read, "The research design is strong, and so must trust that published results innovative ideas; but strong evidence and it seems to rule out all plausible are accurate. Hull (1988, p. 311) noted, attracts scientists’ attention and so may alternative explanations; it undoubtedly (Continued on page 11) "If these results are mistaken, every one amplify the skepticism accorded to DIALOGUE Page 11
Scientists' Response to manuscript (Peers' recommendation). p=.03. The self-other difference was Table 1 reports mean responses within of moderate size in the evaluation of Innovative Research conditions. Old manuscripts (a difference of 6.21), Results but it was significantly larger in the (Continued from page 10) evaluation of New manuscripts (a meets and surpasses standards for These scores were submitted to a 2 X 2 difference of 14.59), η=.28, F(1,79) publication in an important journal. (Strength X Novelty) ANOVA. Results =6.98, p=.01. Participants expected The results almost completely support indicated a main effect for Strength, η other scientists to show a pronounced the hypotheses; the effect sizes seem =.71. Participants were more likely to anti-novelty bias in the evaluation of relatively large (approximately r=.40), recommend a manuscript reporting manuscripts submitted for publication, and almost all of the significance tests strong results than one reporting but that they believed themselves to be revealed "highly significant" effects weaker results, F(1,79)=78.79, significantly more receptive to truly (e.g., p's<.01)." By contrast, p<.0001. There was no main effect of innovative ideas. participants in the "Weak" cells read, Novelty, η=.00, but a Strength X "The research design is reasonably Novelty interaction emerged, η=.23, F These results support the “defensive” strong, and although it does not (1,79)=4.46, p<.05. As the means hypothesis and are consistent with an effectively rule out all possible presented in Table 1 indicate, under evolutionary epistemological account alternative explanations, it undoubtedly conditions in which results were weak, of science (Hull, 1988). Normative meets and surpasses minimum there was a slight tendency for standards of behavior in science are standards for publication in an respondents to favor the New determined not so much by abstract beliefs about the progress of scientific Table 1. Participants' Own Publication Recommendation, and Perceptions of a knowledge, but rather by scientists' Peers' Recommendations, as a Function of Conceptual Novelty and Strength of concerns about their own professional Empirical Results outcomes. Scientists' professional ———————————————————————————————————— outcomes are certainly influenced by Strength Novelty Publication Peers' the accuracy of published research. On Recommendation Recommendation the other hand, the professional costs of ———————————————————————————————————— remaining ignorant to a good, true idea Weak Old 43.75 39.25 are nowhere near as great. There is no New 52.50 33.33 shortage of research hypotheses for scientists to test, no shortage of existing theories to tweak, and no shortage of Strong Old 89.40 81.48 issues that merit attention. Scientists New 80.63 70.63 value critical discernment, but they ———————————————————————————————————— may safely be biased in favor of a high detection threshold for new ideas. An Note: Values indicate mean likelihood of recommending manuscript for publication. overlooked conceptual breakthrough hobbles the advancement of science, manuscript over the Old manuscript, η but scientists themselves rarely miss important journal. The results mostly =.20, t(39)=1.28, p=.22. In contrast, these misses. support the hypotheses, but some of the under conditions in which results were hypothesized effects did not Strong, the New manuscript was less Risk-aversion is defensible (it can be materialize. Overall, the effect sizes likely than the Old manuscript to be professionally suicidal to devote seem relatively small (approximately recommended for publication, η=.32, t research resources to false leads, but r=.20), and many of the significance (40)=1.84, p<.05, one-tailed. When rarely so problematic to remain tests revealed only "marginal" effects results were strong (and likely to be ignorant to new ideas) but still has (e.g., .05 Which Scientific Problem to Pursue? Eminent Social/Personality Psychologists Reveal Their Secrets of Scientific Success to the Editors of Dialogue One of the most difficult and important abilities to know. An answer like "it as well since they are the ones who will problems for a scientist is knowing sort of feels right" won't help you. provide the energy and enthusiasm which ideas to pursue. While it may not needed to convert an idea from concept seem so to a young graduate student, Dan Batson: How do I know which to operation. there are many, many possible areas to idea to pursue? Clearly, I don't. research, problems to solve, questions to Elliot Aronson: I have been guided develop. But which problem is the one Brenda Major: I don't know whether I primarily by several principals, one of to pursue? How does a scientist decide have any self-insight into this at all. which is "following my nose." By this, among projects, decide which ones have I simply mean that, in selecting a promise and opportunity, which ones are Patricia Devine: I've been giving these problem to research, whenever likely dead ends? These are questions questions some thought and I'm not possible, I try to follow my own that are rarely answered during graduate sure there's a "formula" of sorts to curiosity, not just idle curiosity; rather, education, and often they are hardly guide such decisions. to ask a researchable question that I am taken up at all. When they are raised, passionately interested in finding peers are frequently too kind, and faculty Russell Spears:I don't always know, answers to. may have difficulty articulating ways to with the result that I sometimes pursue \ value some ideas and eschew others. more ideas than I have time to deal Brenda Major: Does the idea grab me? with (not recommended for anyone Is it interesting? Can I get enthusiastic To speak to these issues, Dialogue asked starting out!). about it? a handful of social and personality psychologists to answer two questions. If you aren't sure what these tacit rules Mahzarin Banaji: It sort of feels right. The first was: How do you know which idea are (and since they appear to be tacit, to pursue? The second question was: How most people cannot be sure), here is a do you know when to give up on a problem? practical checklist against the ill effects It seems much wiser not to of bad ideas: We chose a handful of prominent start an ill-advised line of researchers, not only for their excellence Anthony Greenwald: It seems much research than to face a in research, but also because they have wiser not to start an ill-advised line of decision, several years later, chosen interesting problems and have at research than to face a decision, several some time in their careers shifted to new about the wisdom of years later, about the wisdom of and different projects. We received a lot continuing it. of useful responses, in fact so many that continuing it. So, my advice: When —Anthony Greenwald we have decided to divide them into two you have a new research idea, try articles. This article focuses on the first writing the title and abstract of the question--How do you know which article that will report it. If (a) you can't Galen Bodenhausen: I think there is a research ideas to pursue? The responses write them or (b) you can write them certain kind of aesthetic feeling that below are edited and organized by the but don't find them compelling, then comes from contemplating a good Dialogue editors. abandon before you start. This research idea—I guess I would describe advice—which my recent grad students it as a subjective state of interest and The most common response we received and postdocs have received positive affect that arises automatically was a sort of verbal shrug, and many of repeatedly—is something that, in when a (seemingly) good idea occurs to the otherwise articulate responses we retrospect, I would have been delighted me. I think George Mandler's notion of received mentioned the difficulty of to have had earlier in my career. "structural value" is a good way of putting it into words. conceptualizing this phenomenon. One common response was the Interesting ideas tend to have a Shelley Taylor: I thought about this and recognition of an affective state particular structure that is inherently decided it's just tacit knowledge: I associated with the idea. pleasing, and I think that structure can don't know the answer to either be generally characterized as "initial question. It just happens, and I know! Marilynn Brewer: One testing ground discrepancy + resolution." is whether at least some of my graduate Mahzarin Banaji: But I'm never students can get excited about the idea . Daniel Wegner: One feature of a good satisfied with my own introspective . . there is a practical reason for this test (Continued on page 13) DIALOGUE Page 13 (Continued from page 12) them the idea is good, then I'd think of examination. idea is that someone thinks it is again. If it's going to take really only a ridiculous. For instance, a valued few sentences to explain my idea, it's Russell Spears: I would say go with mentor of mine who shall remain probably obvious to everyone! ideas or insights that grab you from nameless, but whose last name rhymes personal experience and seem with Drano, once scoffed at the silly Ideas that are embedded in a larger personally important (or important to a old notion of the "group mind." I theory were generally valued, especially group identity). That way you are more picked up his attitude for a while, and by students of Leon Festinger: likely to stay motivated and more likely then started reading the history of the to bring a new twist to the literature. idea to see what it was I was not Elliot Aronson: As a researcher, the You can then also read the literature in supposed to like. Eventually, this first thing I would say is that, it helps a a more focused and directed way. turned into a line of theory and research lot to have a good theory that can on transactive memory. Now this generate interesting ideas. This can be a Elliot Aronson: From time to time, as a doesn't mean you should search for formal theory, e.g., the theory of researcher, I ask myself: "Is this ideas that are plainly wrong, but rather cognitive dissonance--or an implicit research ever going to do anyone any for things that are so out that with new, theory like that aggressive behavior good?" The key phrase in that sentence improved ingredients they might come will not lead to a reduction in the need is "from time to time". I certainly don't back in. In a sense, this search for to aggress (as in Freud's notion of mean to imply that all research needs to ridiculousness is really just a version of catharsis), but will actually increase be applicable or useful to the public in the Central Law of Hot Social aggression. Not only does a powerful order to be considered important. Psychology: Go for the counter- theory make getting ideas easier, but Indeed, the overwhelming majority of intuitive. when I conduct a good experiment to experiments that I would consider test that theory, the results not only interesting and important (both my own [You shouldn’t] search for confirm the specific hypothesis but and other people's) are interesting and ideas that are plainly wrong, often lead to an entire family of important solely because they enable us but rather for things that are interesting ideas. to gain a handle on some of the complexities of human social behavior. so out that with new, im- Jack Brehm: The power of a theory But, for me, every once in a while, I proved ingredients they might derives primarily from the breadth of would ask myself that question because come back in . . . this search definition of the stipulated causal, it has always been a personal goal of for ridiculousness is really intervening, and dependent variables. mine to do a piece of research that just a version of the Central For example, one might come up with the idea that people try to control how From time to time, as a Law of Hot Social Psychol- sad they feel by recalling happy events. ogy: Go for the counter- If this idea can be converted into the researcher, I ask myself: "Is intuitive. broader idea that all emotions are this research ever going to do ––Daniel Wegner controlled by imagining events that anyone any good?" have caused an opposing emotion, then —Elliot Aronson the idea becomes much more Yoshi Kashima: First, I'd imagine the interesting. If this idea about the utilizes the wisdom of social situation where everything has worked control of emotions can be equated to psychology in a way that can be of use out perfectly. All my hypotheses (or control over motivation, then it takes to non-psychologists. During my first hunches) are supported, and everything on even more interest. decade as a researcher, I was able to is beautiful. Ask myself then, "Am I maintain the belief that, although my excited?" In my case, an idea that Some of the most impassioned experiments were not directly addresses or touches on some long responses connected the research to beneficial to society right now, some standing, and often esoteric, questions issues well outside the lab, whether as a day, either I or somebody else might in the field excites me. I get excited if I common phenomenon in the real world, find a way to utilize these results for can find a connection to other areas of or an issue of substantial practical value. the public good. Gradually, I came to social science or humanities. I'd realize that this attitude was largely imagine myself just about to write the Robert Cialdini: The first feature that self-deceptive. If I truly wanted my first paragraph of the paper. Ask matters is the easily recognized research to be of benefit to the general myself, "Would I be interested in (or presence of the phenomenon outside of public, than I had to do my experiments excited about) reading this if I were a the experimental setting; if there is in an arena where they would directly reader?" Then, I'd actually talk to evidence that the effect occurs benefit the people participating in the others whose judgments I trust. If it regularly and powerfully in multiple experiment (e.g., my research on takes only a few minutes to convince environments, it is simply more worthy (Continued on page 14) Page 14 DIALOGUE ideas or even a few of them. Which Scientific Problem to Pursue?, Cont. Consequently, I find it frustrating to read the experimental literature in (Continued from page 13) surprising to me and to others as well. social psychology, and I avoid doing so prejudice reduction, the jigsaw There is a skill to seeing what's really as much as possible. The frustration classroom), on increasing condom use, in the data, though. Knowing what to stems from having many ideas and the or on influencing people to conserve do when "the study didn't work out" is belief that one should take an idea water, energy and other natural a talent that can be taught—and I seriously only if one can put it in resources. learned it from a genius at it: Stanley testable form, and carry out at least an Schachter. exploratory experiment . . . an Brenda Major: Will it advance theory? exploratory study encourages one to Does it address something important? Marilynn Brewer: One litmus test is my think the idea has merit, then it is time And most important, does it stand up to own intuition about what I might call to consider the possible fundamental the big question: So What? “optimal distinctiveness”-that is, does causes for the process one has the idea seem grounded in current demonstrated as well as implications Some researchers focused on the research (i.e., have a degree of for the understanding of other comparison of the idea to the current familiarity) and yet hasn’t already been psychological phenomena. An idea has state of scientific affairs, both in method introduced in the recent literature (i.e., and theory. No research idea has value in many implications to the extent that have a degree of novelty). Obviously one can stipulate more than one causal a vacuum, and a clear-headed novelty is the more salient criterion, but comparison of one's ideas with the variable and more than one dependent unless I can see ways to link a new effect. current field provides a useful metric. program of research to existing current interests and paradigms in the social Robert Cialdini Daniel Gilbert: A good idea is original, : A feature of an idea psychological literature, pursuing it that always help prioritize it for me is tractable, economical, synthetic, would be too much of an uphill battle. generative, and grand. By that I mean it the presence of more than one plausible (I guess I do believe in the cumulative account for the effect of interest. is not well-explored (original), it is nature of science; worthwhile ideas explorable with scientific methods Without a good contending don’t develop in a vacuum.) explanation, even compelling support (tractable), it provides an elegant and simple solution to a complex set of for one’s favored account can seem For other scientists, the hallmark of a rather ho-hum. problems (economical), it brings good idea was how many connected together phenomena that initially thoughts popped up while thinking of Galen Bodenhausen seemed to have nothing in common : Interesting ideas (synthetic), it generates many more often have elements that are surprising interesting questions than it answers Knowing what to do when and, at least at the first pass, difficult to (generative), and it speaks about some "the study didn't work out" is reconcile with one's most immediately fundamental truth (grand). Good ideas a talent that can be taught— relevant knowledge structures, but in bringing other knowledge to bear in a are almost never outlandish: When and I learned it from a genius someone tells you a really good idea, novel way, the inconsistencies are at it: Stanley Schachter. resolved in a way that can have an you almost always have the sense that -Richard Nisbett you were just about to think of it intellectually satisfying elegance. I yourself except that...well, you didn't. think this kind of appraisal process elicits a specific subjective experience the idea, whether it was connections, that marks an idea as interesting and Richard Nisbett: If the idea seems implications, or competing explanations. worthy of pursuit. counterintuitive or seems not to have been thought about much by other Jack Brehm: Whenever I read a report Elliot Aronson people and if it seems like it could : "Doing the job right." of research, especially if it is By this, I mean employing whatever potentially lead to something big. I experimental, a number of ideas are should note that most of the ideas I methods or procedures are most likely to pop into my head while I'm appropriate to the hypothesis being have had that seemed counterintuitive reading. Some concern alternative to me actually seem to match other tested. Much of the time, this forces me interpretations or qualifications of to depart from standard, "tried and people's intuitions as well as mine. The results, some have to do with methods main reason my work sometimes seems true" procedures and invent a new set and some have to do with theory, and of experimental operations. I do this, counterintuitive is that I start with an some may just be remote associations idea that I think is counterintuitive but not because I have a strong need to be with some other work I have run "creative," but rather the invention of actually isn't which leads me to do across. It would be impossible to give research that turns up results that are novel procedures can be an essential much time or thought to all of these (Continued on page 15) DIALOGUE Page 15 (Continued from page 14) collecting their data-to make certain then focus on ideas that will pay off in a aspect of doing the job right. In a great that they leave the experiment straightforward way in a reasonable many of my experiments, to have used enlightened and in at least as good amount of time (and money). If you someone else's procedure would have shape as they were when they entered. want to enjoy your work, then follow been akin to trying to squeeze my size It sometimes means taking the time and your heart. These are not necessarily 12 foot into a size 7 shoe. trouble to fight it out with human mutually exclusive. ■ As experimental social psychologists, subjects committees-which often we are working with smart, curious consist of academicians who know adults as participants in our nothing about social psychology, who experiments. Accordingly, doing the seem to feel that human beings are as Scientific Innovation, cont. job right almost always means fragile as soap bubbles, and who are imbedding the participants in a scenario dead set against any procedure that (Continued from page 11) in such a way that, even within the contained the least bit of deception or perceptions that scientific progress has sterile confines of the laboratory, real discomfort. Over the past two decades I reached a state of diminishing returns things are happening to real people in a have watched with dismay as many of (Horgan, 1996). If so, it might be time way that totally engages them without my colleagues, faced with these real to take this possible anti-novelty bias telegraphing the actual nature of our challenges, retreated from testing seriously, and to do something about it. hypothesis. It means engaging in interesting hypotheses in an impactful countless rehearsals so that the way. In reading the journals, it strikes References procedures are uniform from me that a major concern with many of Bechtel, W. (1988). Philosophy of participant to participant and so that we the experimenters is how to design an science. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. can be as convincing as possible. experiment that is benign and boring Colton, C.C. (1821). Lacon. London: enough to slide, unscathed, past human Longman, Hurst, Reese, Orme, and Brown. Feyerabend, P. (1975). Against method. Several years ago, I participated in an subjects committees. This caution London: Verso. APA symposium on experimental diminishes the reach of our discipline. Gigerenzer, G. & Murray, D.J. (1987). methodology, in which one of the Cognition as intuitive statistics. Hillsdale, panelists, discussing my research, said Summary. When someone is laying out NJ: Erlbaum. that he thought I was a frustrated the lines of a future career, spending Horgan, J. (1996). The end of science. playwright or director; he clearly meant careful time on a choosing ideas is good New York: Broadway Books. it as a criticism. I took it as a great investment. The insights and advice Hull, D.L. (1988). Science as a process. compliment (except for the word offered here are sensible and, we think, Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Kuhn, T.S. (1977). The essential tension. "frustrated"!). For it is my firm belief they can be implemented more often than they are now. We cannot know how Chicago: University of Chicago Press. that, in order to test certain hypotheses, Lakatos, I. (1970). Falsification and the the experimenter must write a many good ideas are not pursued methodology of scientific research convincing scenario and direct his because lesser ideas were selected. There programmes. In I. Lakatos & A. Musgrave assistants and confederates to play their are many reasons to choose lesser topics (Eds.), Criticism and the growth of roles to perfection. If the experimenters beyond lack of imagination and talent: knowledge (pp. 91-196). Cambridge, bumble, speak in a monotone or low ambitions, probability of England: Cambridge University Press. sleepwalk their way through the publication, certainty of tenure ( volume Merton, R. K. (1996). On social procedure, the participants will either over quality), a sense of hidebound structure and science. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. become bored or suspicious, thus, practices of reviewers at journals and granting agencies, departmental peers’ Popper K.R. (1972). Objective invalidating the results. It is the goal of knowledge: An evolutionary approach. the high impact experimenter to make approval or defense of territory, and the goals of individual scientists which can Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. the events so real, so life-like and so be at odds with scientific progress. compelling that the participants can do Authors' Note nothing other than behave in a manner Which idea to pursue must depend upon We thank the many scientists who took that approaches the way they would your own goals. We have chosen the time to respond to our questionnaire. behave if the event were happening to scientists who have aggressively pursued Correspondence concerning this article them outside the confines of the scientific innovation, with substantial should be addressed to either author, Chris laboratory (Aronson, Ellsworth, success. But your personal goals may Crandall, Department of Psychology, 1415 Jayhawk Blvd., University of Kansas, Carlsmith, & Gonzales, 1990). Thus, differ from theirs. If you want to publish for me, doing the job right means Lawrence, KS 66045, e-mail: a large number of articles in a reasonable [email protected], or Mark Schaller, designing the most impactful amount of time, then one might pursue procedures I could design, within the Department of Psychology, 2136 West Mall, moderately novel ideas. If you want to University of British Columbia,Vancouver, boundaries of ethics. It also almost have a lot of impact, then pursue BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4, e-mail: means spending a considerable amount innovative and contrarian ideas in a [email protected].■ of time debriefing participants after currently hot topic. If you want a grant, Page 16 DIALOGUE aspects of a faculty member's job. But Grappling with Grad Gripes it doesn't come without costs. By Sara Hodges was that the students almost always The inherent hierarchical structure of requested that nothing be said to the When I earned tenure, my department the model (some might call it advisor. Students not only requested medieval) makes it a lot less risky for rewarded me in the usual way—by anonymity; they frequently requested giving me more work. I was asked to faculty to complain about students than that NOTHING about their complaint for students to complain about faculty. co-chair our department's Graduate be communicated to the advisor (often Education Committee (GEC), a Most students figure out pretty quickly because they rightly guessed that the that a good working relationship with position known as Director of Graduate source of the complaint would be Studies in other departments. their advisor buys them a lot more than figured out). Thus, my hands were tied. the occasional drink at conferences. Apparently, the department was hard In many cases, in order to do what I up to find someone for the job. I'd The apocryphal days of old when thought best, I'd have to betray the advisors simply called their friends at never served on the committee I was student's confidence. Whatever being asked to chair. The department other universities to get their students privilege or power came with the jobs are over, but graduate students still head's first choice for the position (who position of being GEC chair (ha!), I had been on the committee before) had need a good word from their advisors. couldn't take advantage of it. What's New PhDs know their applications will already turned her down but then more, I felt like I was becoming a reluctantly agreed to do the job if it be among hundreds received for each tenure track position. The difference could be shared with someone else. The Students frequently prior GEC chair seemed all too gleeful between being described by a faculty to turn over the job. I wondered what requested that NOTHING member as superlative versus merely could be so bad about a job that about their complaint be good in a letter of recommendation involved serving our grad students may be the difference between being whom I found to be smart and likable. communicated to the invited for an interview or not. advisor, often because One might rightly argue that graduate The position turned out to have the they rightly guessed that same downfall of virtually every task in students make it on their research academia: It took up time in an already the source of the records more than their advisors' overbooked schedule. However, I soon complaint would be letters, but it's important to keep in also became aware of a Catch-22 that mind that long before letters of made the job uniquely frustrating. figured out. recommendation, advisors and other faculty members have control over "Ummm, could I come by and talk students' access to lab space and human Pandora's box, filled with a equipment. As lab head honchos, to you about something? Oh, not depressing cognitive load of ugly here. It can wait. It's not that faculty often call the shots on paper secrets about people I saw regularly authorship. Faculty with grant support serious. Well, I guess it is kind of (which was no doubt adversely serious. But whenever's convenient, can select students to be research affecting my immune response). No assistants (which is generally more um, as soon as possible." wonder my other colleagues didn't want desirable than being a teaching the job. assistant). Furthermore, faculty I learned very quickly to spot the signs of a complaint about an advisor or attention is a valuable commodity to The master-apprentice model is a students. Advisors have limited time to other faculty member. (Before I go predominant method of training further, I want to stress that my impart their ideas and wisdom, which research psychologists. Psychologists are presumably what attracted graduate colleagues are not bad advisors. Many proudly trace their "lineage" back of them are spectacular mentors and all students to work with them in the first through several generations of advisors, place. With so much at stake, students of them are pretty good most of the and new PhDs are often labeled as "So time. And, of course NONE of the may feel there is little room for and so's student." This "hands on, learn anything that may be perceived as complaints I heard were about social or by doing" method is a highly effective personality faculty. Eh-hem.) disloyalty by their advisor. way to teach the complexities of conducting research while socializing The complaints I heard weren't about Faculty need students too—as new recruits to the field. It provides a collaborators and the source of fresh heinous acts of sexual harassment or forum for intellectual discourse that can scientific dishonesty. Instead, they ideas—probably more than they care to be among the most inspiring admit. But as the "haves" in the were generally about differing experiences of graduate school for expectations. What made them diabolic educational system, faculty have other students and one of the most satisfying (Continued on page 17) DIALOGUE Page 17 (Continued from page 16) this may seem daunting or pointless to presumably that much more effective resources to draw from, including new the student, it's an essential first step. as an early intervention: The students next year, whereas grad Medieval or not, graduate school is department head or GEC chair meets students, as the "have-nots" may incur certainly not the last place students will with each advisor's students each year a variety of costs from switching encounter hierarchies. Learning when and then meets with the advisor, who is advisors or programs. Of course, if a and how to discuss dissatisfaction provided with a general summary of faculty member's mentoring is notably directly with those higher on the ladder the advisee meetings in order to protect lousy, eventually he or she will get a (and living with the consequences of individual students. This strategy bad reputation—but only if people doing so) will serve students well. serves the additional purpose of know about the complaints! A Furthermore, seemingly intractable communicating to students that their pernicious cycle flourishes if the problems may be easily solved when opinions matter and often helps faculty who are perceived as most the student simply makes the faculty department heads and GEC chairs keep unfair or unreasonable are also member aware of them. a finger on the pulse of graduate perceived as the most vindictive. student morale. Furthermore, it allows One of the most provocative and yet departments to document and recognize The request that complaints be kept probably the most ethical of solutions good advising too, which can be useful secret isn't just for self-protective offered was simply not to promise for decisions about promotions or merit reasons. The reasons I heard for not students confidentiality. As soon as a raises. airing complaints were often out of student starts to disclose a problem, the concern for the faculty member (e.g., GEC chair makes it clear that A number of suggestions involved "he's untenured" or "I know how much professional ethics may require that he channeling complaints to someone pressure she's under to finish this or she act on the complaint. In other than the GEC chair. Although project"). This made the student's communicating an obligation to act, these unlucky souls (be they appointed request not to say anything all the more GEC chairs let the student know that or elected) replace the GEC chairs as maddening: The student had the faculty they do care about the problem. keepers of the departmental "Pandora's member's best interests at heart but was Furthermore, this system prevents box," in taking over an emotionally uncomfortable giving the faculty advisors from being "indicted" without draining job, they may allow the GEC member what might be valuable knowing their accuser or their alleged chair more time for other duties such as feedback. crime. One faculty member who curricular decisions, teaching described using this strategy reported assignments, and evaluating graduate When I presented this Catch-22 to the that it had never stopped a student from student progress. Students may actually SPSP email discussion list and asked feel more comfortable voicing for advice, I was struck by three things The most ethical of complaints to someone other than the in the responses I received. First, the GEC chair and they may be particularly problem was common. Clearly, other solutions offered was not supportive of a representative whom people knew what I was talking about to promise they help select. The representative can and had wrestled with it themselves. confidentiality. As soon additionally serve as a departmental Second, many responses were educator, presenting occasional emotionally charged. Several as a student starts to workshops on professional ethics. One respondents, especially graduate disclose a problem . . . version of this plan even suggested students, asked to be anonymous, out selecting an ombudsperson from of continued fear of possible make it clear that another department (although retaliation. Third (discouragingly), no professional ethics may presumably an institutional norm one provided a tidy solution to the require that he or she act would have to be in place to find problem. There appears to be no way to anyone willing to serve). protect the graduate student AND give on the complaint. feedback to the advisor. However, a Taking a page from procedural justice variety of useful and innovative proceeding with the complaint. research, another strategy consisted of suggestions emerged, and they are holding meetings for students to vent summarized below, along with a Another solution was to make frustrations. These forums serve the number of things I've learned on the interviewing students about their additional purpose of allowing job. advisors part of performance, tenure, advanced students to educate newer and promotion reviews. By aggregating students about problem advisors (e.g., Although it may sound obvious, first information across students and years, "Watch out for that old witch make sure that the student has students' anonymity could be somewhat Hodges—she'll cheat you out of discussed the complaint with the protected. Another variation was even authorship every time!"). Although this offending faculty member. Although more time and effort intensive, but (Continued on page 32) Page 18 DIALOGUE The Making of The Social Animal: A 30 Year Anniversary The Social Animal was published 30 years ago, in 1972. It has since gone through 8 editions, and is still in print. It has been read in part or whole by innumerable social psychologists and their students. At Dialogue, we asked Elliot Aronson to tell us about the writing of the book. Aronson’s article is introduced by John Harvey. An Appreciation By John Harvey In those days, I did a fair amount of The Social Animal has defined the field of social psychology for over three decades. In kvetching about the limitations of the best tradition of an insightful novelist who combines that skill with those of the existing textbooks. One day, one of my historian and scientist, Elliot Aronson created a work that could not be emulated by teaching assistants, having grown other scholars, and that has become almost timeless in its value. weary of my constant complaining, challenged me by saying, “Why don’t I used this book in teaching introductory social psychology for 15 years, as long as I you write one of your own?” I taught the course at various universities. Students were unanimous in their dismissed the idea out of hand. It reactions: A rare accomplishment, The Social Animal was a volume you could show embarrasses me to admit it, but my to your friends or family members and discuss its ideas and stories. These ideas and response was somewhat snobbish. It stories spoke to the joys, struggles, losses, and enigmas of our lives. It lived, as we went something like this: “I’m a live. Through Aronson's lens, it became clearer that ideas like self-justification were scientist. We scientists shouldn’t be pervasive in all that we do and know about human life. The case was made and in a wasting our time writing textbooks. way that the lowliest of students, or the most sophisticated of scholars, could There are hundreds of social appreciate. In this vein, Aronson's impact in producing this book is not unlike that psychologists who are fully capable of of Studs Terkel; real people living real lives can see themselves in the mirror of this writing a decent textbook. A scientist’s book. The Social Animal is for the masses and about the masses: It's about you and time is much better spent doing me and what we are about in our most banal and sublime moments. experiments that shed light on how the human mind works. Let’s leave the Elliot Aronson writes: discipline. But, in the late 1960s, I was textbooks to textbook writers.” growing increasingly impatient with Yet, I desperately wanted my students As much as I like the process and the existing introductory social psychology textbooks. It’s not that to read something that would attempt to excitement of doing laboratory relate our scientific research in social experiments, I must confess that the they weren’t scholarly enough, it’s not that they were inaccurate, it’s not that psychology with the important events most gratifying thing I have ever done taking place in the world. These things in social psychology is writing The they didn’t have enough graphs, tables, charts, or references. Indeed, charts, were happening all around us. Let me Social Animal. Interestingly, this give you an example of what I was project did not come about because I graphs and tables abounded in these textbooks--often in three or four experiencing: had an overwhelming desire to write a textbook. Far from it. At the time, I glorious colors. But it seemed to me that the most scientific of these books Earlier that year, I had hired a young was enjoying some of my most fertile man to help me paint my house. The and creative experiences as a were not addressing the problems that our students were most concerned painter was a gentle and sweet-natured researcher. During that era, I was so person who had graduated from high deeply immersed in doing experiments about. For example, in that era, our country was being torn apart by the war school, joined the army, and fought in that writing a textbook was the furthest Vietnam. After leaving the army, he thing from my mind. The beginnings of in Vietnam, by the racial divide, by political assassinations, and by took up house painting and was a good The Social Animal were actually an and reliable craftsman and an honest outgrowth of the joy I derive from numerous other events that were taking place in the world. The existing businessman. I enjoyed working with teaching undergraduates. him. One day while we were taking a textbooks (at least those that had a solid scientific basis) did a pretty good job of coffee break, we began to discuss the As a teacher, my favorite course has war and the intense opposition to it, always been the introductory social ignoring those issues. As a result, my students found the texts dull, non- especially at the local university. It psychology course. I am passionate soon became apparent that he and I about the things we know about social engaging and, well, too academic. If social psychology was supposed to be were in sharp disagreement on this psychology and I get a great kick out of issue. He felt that the American being the first person to introduce about anything, it should be about our insights into the important events and intervention was reasonable and just college freshmen and sophomores to and would “make the world safe for the excitement and promise of our problems that are impacting our daily lives. Something was definitely wrong. (Continued on page 19) DIALOGUE Page 19 The Social Animal, Cont. own passion for the field and its which U.S. planes dropped napalm on (Continued from page 18) relevance to society. A few publishers a village in South Vietnam believed to democracy.” I argued that it was a got wind of the project and asked to see be a Vietcong stronghold. My oldest terribly dirty war, that we were killing, what I had written. They urged me to son, who was about ten at the time, maiming, and napalming thousands of flesh the essays out a little for possible asked brightly, "Hey, Dad, what's innocent people—old people, women, publication as a textbook. napalm?" children—people who had no interest in war or politics. He looked at me for Once again, I backed away. I told the "Oh," I answered casually, "as I a long time; then he smiled sweetly and publishers that I wasn’t interested in understand it, it's a chemical that burns said, “Hell, Doc, those aren’t people; doing that. I explained that I saw the people; it also sticks so that if it gets on those are Vietnamese! They’re gooks.” essays as primarily a teaching tool— your skin, you can't remove it." And I He said it matter-of-factly, without not as a textbook. In retrospect, I think continued to watch the news. obvious rancor or vehemence. I was I feared that, if I ever actually sat down astonished and chilled by his response. with the idea in mind to write a A few minutes later, I happened to I wondered how it could be that this textbook, I would become “a textbook glance at my son and saw tears apparently good-natured, sane, and writer” and that would take me away streaming down his face. Struck by my gentle young man could develop that from my beloved laboratory. son's pain and grief, I grew dismayed kind of attitude. How could he dismiss as I began to wonder what had an entire national group from the As luck would have it, a short time happened to me. Had I become so human race? Over the next several later, I was invited to spend a year as a brutalized that I could answer my son's days, as we continued our dialogue I fellow at the Center for Advanced question so matter-of-factly—as if he got to know more about him. It turned Study in the Behavioral Sciences in had asked me how a baseball is made out that during the war he had Palo Alto--with nothing to do but to or how a leaf functions? Had I become participated in actions in which think and write. Without really so accustomed to human brutality that I innocent Vietnamese civilians had been planning to, I threw those essays into a could be casual in its presence? killed. carton along with other books, papers (From The Social Animal 1/e, 1972, pp. and notes, and had them shipped to 141-142) What gradually emerged was that Palo Alto. So there I was, in my study initially he had been wracked by at the Center, without any teaching or When the book was about half finished, guilt—and it dawned on me that he administrative responsibilities, and I showed what I had written to some of might have developed this attitude without any research assistants with the major publishers. They had three toward the Vietnamese people as a way whom to plan and conduct major criticisms: 1) The writing style of assuaging his guilt. That is, if he experiments. I had plenty of time on was far too casual, too chummy, too could convince himself that the my hands and so, between other writing personal, too intimate. 2) There Vietnamese were not fully human, it projects, I picked up that collection of weren’t enough references (I had would make him feel less awful about sloppy essays and began to play with committed the grave error of failing to having hurt them and he could retain them. Before I knew it, they began to cite eleven experiments to illustrate a his self-concept as a decent person. emerge as actual chapters. After a few point when one or two would do!). 3) months, I had written about half a My outline called for only nine I felt strongly that my students book. chapters while every fool knows that deserved to read something that could all textbooks in social psychology tell that kind of story from a social I was writing it as a very personal “require” 14 or 15 chapters. psychological perspective. To fill this statement. In a sense it felt like I was need, as a supplement to the formal shamelessly opening my family photo I told the publishers that I was writing textbook we were using, I prepared a album and sharing it with my readers. for college freshmen not professionals. few rough essays on my favorite topics For example, in opening the chapter on Accordingly, I refused to formalize my in social psychology and laced them aggression, instead of doing the usual style or turn the book into an with examples like the one above— thing like defining “aggression”, I told encyclopedia of references. In my examples that served to beg for a social a true story of a conversation I had experience as an introductory social psychological analysis. I once had with my young son. It went psychology teacher, I have found that mimeographed these essays and gave like this: the overwhelming majority of college them away to the students in my freshmen are not looking for a course. The essays were hurriedly put A few years ago, I was watching Walter reference book--they are looking for a together, somewhat sloppy, and Cronkite broadcast the news on readable book that they can relate to certainly incomplete—but they television. In the course of his and that is supported by careful succeeded in capturing some of my newscast, he reported an incident in (Continued on page 20) Page 20 DIALOGUE The Making of The Social Animal, Cont. Nisbett Elected to National Academy of (Continued from page 19) a professor! As I got to know some of research not idle conjecture. the people well, I learned the reason: Sciences Furthermore my decision to write In Poland and Hungary, The Social only nine chapters was deliberate and Animal was being widely read not just SPSP member Richard E. Nisbett, non-negotiable. I would write only by psychologists by a great many University of Michigan, was elected to about those areas of social ordinary citizens. It had become membership in the National Academy psychology that I was truly passionate important for them because it provided of Sciences (NAS) in April, 2002. He is about. If that left me with only nine them with a clear and useful the Theodore M. Newcomb chapters, so be it. understanding of what they were Distinguished University Professor, co- experiencing in terms of propaganda, director of Michigan’s Culture and When they heard that, they dropped self-justification and the dynamics of Cognition Program and a senior me like the proverbial hot potato. power. research scientist at the Institute for They told me that it was all well and Social Research. NAS members are good to “write for college freshmen”, There is a sense in which the major elected in recognition of their but it was not college freshmen who publishers were right. In this country distinguished and continuing ordered textbooks—it was professors. The Social Animal is not among the achievements in original scientific And most college professors would most widely adopted social psychology research. Members of the NAS, a not adopt a book like this. They went textbooks—largely because it is private organization of scientists and on to say that because my book could professors who order books, not engineers, act as official advisers to the not possibly compete with “real students. And most professors believe federal government on questions textbooks” and was too scholarly to that a textbook should include the involving science and technology, and be a trade book it would fall between requisite 15 chapters, cover all the election to the Academy is considered the cracks and perhaps sell a few traditional topics, and that it should be one of the highest honors a scientist can thousand copies and quickly go out of written in a formal style. Don't get me receive. Early in his career, Nisbett print. As one publisher put it, “It will wrong; I have nothing against a text studied the way people perceive the sink without a trace!” with 15 chapters. Indeed, a few years causes of their own behavior. "It turns ago, I finally broke down and co-wrote out that we are often remarkably blind One editor (Haywood “Buck” Rogers one myself! But I don't think a as to why we make the judgments and of the W.H. Freeman Co.) was scholarly text needs to be written in a choices that we do," he says, "not for undaunted. He liked the book. All it formal style. Rather, I believe that if a motivational reasons necessarily, but takes is one. Freeman published the textbook is going to be effective in just because we don't have access to the book in 1972. Much to my surprise inspiring students, it should be both machinery of our minds." His recent and delight, it was an instant success. scholarly and written with real passion- work on reasoning compares East Undergraduates seem to enjoy it -the kind of passion that will Asians with Westerners, finding that largely because of its personal style occasionally break out of the confines the origin of many cognitive and its relevance to their lives. One of formal writing. To paraphrase differences lies in the different social reviewer, writing in Contemporary Gertrude Stein's advice to the young structures characteristic of Eastern and Psychology, called it “a masterpiece.” Ernest Hemingway, it should read as if Western cultures. His cultural research Another reviewer, writing in the writer had just discovered the has focused on "cultures of honor," Contemporary Sociology called it “a material for the first time—and can't including the Southern and Western rare gem of a book.” APA gave it its wait to share it with the reader. United States. Raised in El Paso, National Media Award for books. Texas, Nisbett notes that his intuitions Thirty years later, it is in its 8th And that is why, for me personally, the told him that males from the U.S. South edition and still going strong. It has most gratifying aspect of having and West were inclined to violence in a been translated into 16 foreign written The Social Animal is that, at variety of situations dealing with languages. psychology conventions, I am protection of reputation and property. frequently approached by strangers (in His subsequent research culminated in During the cold war, it was hotel lobbies, elevators, bars, and even a book co-authored with Dov Cohen, particularly popular in Eastern meeting rooms!) who tell me that it is Culture of Honor: The Psychology of European countries such as Poland largely because of having read that Violence in the South. His latest book, and Hungary. In my travels behind book as an undergraduate that they The Geography of Thought: Why We the iron curtain in the 1980's, to my made the decision to become a social Think the Way We Do is forthcoming astonishment, I was treated like a psychologist. I can think of no higher from the Free Press. (reporting in part celebrity—more like a rock star than praise. ■ from a University of Michigan press DIALOGUE Page 21 The OSA book is a classic in Department of Psychology at Boston experimental social psychology; it College. After a long history of social Passings inspired substantial research on self- activism, in 1971 he published Blaming the focused attention in motivation, self- Victim which had a profound impact of With this issue, we inaugurate a regulation, and psychopathology. psychology, sociology, social welfare, and section of very brief obituaries of public policy. This book remain highly psychologists of interest to Neal Miller, March 2002 controversial today, some thirty years members of SPSP. If you wish to later Blaming the Victim is still in print, Neal E. Miller received a Ph.D. from contribute an obituary, or bring our one of the all-time academic bestsellers. Yale University in 1935. After attention to people we have The ideas in Blaming the Victim continue psychoanalytic training in Vienna, he overlooked, please e-mail the to affect research in social justice, spent 30 years on the faculty at Yale, editors, and we will be happy to coping, and prejudice. and 15 years at Rockefeller University include them.-The Editors before eventually returning to Yale in Michael Argyle, 1985. Professor Miller was one of the Steve Hinkle, October 2001 first to study social imitation; he was an September 2002 Steve Hinkle received a Ph.D. from the inventor of biofeedback and a founder Michael Argyle studied Moral Science University of North Carolina in 1975, of behavioral neuroscience and and Experimental Psychology at and spent most of his career at Miami behavioral medicine, a member of the Cambridge University, and spent the rest University of Ohio, with visiting National Academy of Science, President of his career at Oxford University. The positions at the University of Kent, of APA, recipient of the APA author and editor of more the 40 books, Canterbury and Cambridge University, Distinguished Scientific Contribution he studied and wrote about the England. Prof. Hinkle's research Award, and the National Medal of psychology of happiness, social emphasized intergroup processes, Science. Prof. Miller's contributions to competence, non-verbal communication, particularly the relationship between social-personality psychology include the interpersonal relationships, social class, identification with a group and prejudice pioneering classic Frustration and the psychology of religion and the social and individualism/ collectivism and Aggression with Dollard, Doob, Mowrer psychology of work. Two of his works acculturation. and Sears. were declared Citation Classics by Current Contents: " Eye-contact, distance, and Ivan Steiner, December 2001 Elizabeth Douvan, June 2002 affiliation" (with J. Dean, Sociometry, 1965) and The Social Psychology of Religion Elizabeth "Libby" Douvan received a Ivan D. Steiner, received a Ph.D. from (1975, with B. Beit-Hallahmi). The Ph.D. from the University of Michigan the University of Michigan, and taught at influential 1967 Psychology of Interpersonal in 1951, and stayed there for the rest of the University of Illinois and the Behaviour is still in print in a 5th edition. her professional life, in Psychology and University of Massachusetts. He served the Institute for Social Research. Prof. as editor of Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and was named Douvan served as the founding president of Division 35, Psychology of Women, Charles A. Kiesler, October 2002 Distinguished Scientist by the Society of Experimental Social Psychology in 1982. and helped establish one of the nation's first women's studies programs at Charles A. "Chuck" Kiesler received a Steiner was one of the most influential Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1963. social psychologists of the 1960's and Michigan. At ISR, Prof. Douvan helped conduct two national surveys, which He was best known as an administrator, 1970's, studying group productivity (e.g., serving as Chair at the University of social combination theory) and wrote the documented the shift from taking satisfaction from established roles and Kansas (1970-75), APA Executive influential Whatever happened to the group in Officer (1975-1979), Professor and Dean social psychology? (JESP, 1974). toward satisfaction from self-expression and self-fulfillment, and the growing at Carnegie Mellon University (1979- 1985), Provost at Vanderbilt University Shelley Duval, February 2002 acceptance of divorce, published as "The Inner American" and "Mental Health in (1985-1992) and Chancellor at the Thomas "Shelley" Duval received a America". Prof. Douvan was co-author University of Missouri-Columbia (1992- Ph.D. from the University of Texas in of "Operation Mind," a 1952 pamphlet 1996). Kiesler wrote or co-authored 1972, and spent his entire academic that attacked the House Committee on three significant books in social career at the University of Southern Un-American Activities. psychology: Conformity (1969, with S.B. California. He is best known for his Kiesler), Attitude change (1969, with Barry research on objective self-awareness Collins & Norman Miller), and The (OSA). He authored three books: A William Ryan, June 2002 psychology of commitment (1971). While Theory of Objective Self-Awareness (1972, working as an administrator, Kiesler also with Wicklund); Consistency and Cognition William Ryan received a Ph.D. in wrote several influential books on (1983, with V. Duval); and Self-Awareness psychology from Boston University in institutionalization and health and Causal Attribution (2001, with Silvia). 1958, and spent most of his career in the management policy.■ Page 22 DIALOGUE The Control Agenda in Canada’s Governance of Ethical Review of Human Research Editors’ Note: The following was commissioned ethical scrutiny. But a consideration of order to consider whether the benefits by the Editors, and is longer than the typical the reasons for the integration of the expected outweigh the harm. In the Dialogue contribution. It continues a series of ethical review processes of the granting new ethics forms developed at our IRB-related articles which include Deiner (Fall, agencies illustrates the abstract and, university this past summer, 2001) and Penner (Spring 2002). We continue sometimes, incoherent reasoning that is investigators are asked to provide to encourage further dialogue on human so evident throughout the document. details on the scientific justification of participation and ethical issues; please consider the research, the strengths and lending your voice to these concerns. The stated reasons for the integration weaknesses of the design, the analysis included the beliefs that fundamental of the data, the justification of the By Clive Seligman and ethical issues and principles transcend sample size, and the sample size power 1 disciplines, and that a harmonizing of calculation. This is the case even for Richard M. Sorrentino Research Ethics Boards (REBs, called research that has been peer reviewed The Tri-Council Policy Statement: IRBs in the US) across disciplines and funded by one of the Tri-Councils! Ethical Conduct for Research Involving would be bureaucratically and Humans is the supreme research ethics educationally more effective. Oddly, Giving members of an ethics review document in Canada. Generally the increased protection of human board the authority to second guess the speaking, it is a well-intentioned, subjects was not mentioned as one of expert opinion of the grant review sincere, sensitive, thoughtful reflection the reasons! Moreover, no evidence panel is not only absurd but opens the on the problems and concerns was presented that showed the old way door to abuse. A study by Ceci, Peters, regarding the ethical treatment of was problematic in the first place. & Plotkin (1985) many years ago human subjects2 in research. But its Indeed, true to the natural reluctance of demonstrated that the decisions of birth was painful and its labor long. Canadians to offend anyone, the ethics committees are influenced by the The first draft shocked the research statements on the need for purpose of the research. In their study community into action and individuals, harmonization and adherence to of actual IRBs, they showed that professional and academic associations, common principles were followed by a judgments of the ethical acceptability and university administrators recognition that, “The effective of the procedures of a study varied with responded with an unprecedented working of ethics review -- across the the expected outcome of the study, number of critical comments and range of disciplines conducting even though the method section was suggestions for revisions. Indeed, so research involving human held constant across conditions. Ethics activated was the community of subjects -- requires a reasonable review boards should concern researchers that the second draft was flexibility in the implementation of themselves with the protection of forced to further revision. The final common principles. The Policy subjects only, i.e., they should ask the document, published in July, 1997, was therefore seeks to avoid imposing one question, ‘Does the research violate one that most researchers thought they disciplinary perspective on others.” any of the subject’s rights?’ could live with. However, what many Thus, although it is not clear that the of us failed to realize was that the Tri-Council Statement has increased 2. Second, we are, of course, required document was not just a treatise on public safety, it is evident that to provide informed consent regarding good, ethical practice but was also a Canadian researchers are under more the tasks the subjects are expected to potential blueprint for increased control scrutiny and control than ever before, complete, anonymity guarantees, and over the research we could do and how because a bigger bureaucracy, with the like. No argument. But now we we could do it. more rules, has been created. We don’t are also directed to ask our subjects at want to suggest that increased control the end of the experiment, after they The 1997 Statement replaced the per se was the driving motive of the have been fully debriefed, whether they separate ethical guidelines that had Tri-Council, but we do want to suggest want their data used by the researcher. been used previously by each of our that that is one of the real outcomes of Let us be clear. We are not talking three major, federal, granting agencies. their new ethics statement. And therein about permission to reveal personal It was not obvious why it was felt that: lies a potential threat to free inquiry. information or to identify which subject a) medical research, b) science and We will describe four examples. provided which data points. We are engineering research, and c) social asked to obtain permission from the science and humanities research needed 1. First, many REBs are asked to judge subject to use his or her data in the data (Continued on page 23) to be brought under one umbrella of the scientific validity of research in DIALOGUE Page 23 Canada’s Ethical Review of Human Research, Cont. (Continued from page 22) should be fully informed about the Dick summarized the results of this analysis. Thus, experiments that study payment amount and should not have survey to Western’s REB, and hypotheses, theories, or applications to take extra steps to find out. For suggested that we might be the only that the subjects may object to may be example, one respondent wrote, “I one in North America that disallowed put in jeopardy by selective believe that most people would like to payment advertising. After withdrawals from different know how much they will be paid considerable discussion, the REB experimental conditions. In extreme before they call for further information. decided to allow payment information cases, this would be tantamount to As researchers we have an ethical to be included in the ad, if several giving subjects a veto over which obligation to avoid wasting people's conditions were met: 1) studies pose no research could be carried out, even time, and flyers with insufficient more than minimal risk to participants, though there were no ethical problems information have the potential to waste 2) the amount of compensation for the of harm associated with any of the the time of everyone who would particular study does not exceed a total procedures. Should investigators be consider the compensation of $20 plus compensation for out-of- obligated to match any potential or insufficient.” pocket expenses, 3) the compensation hypothetical political implication of component of the ad is not highlighted their research with the political Many respondents disagreed that or enhanced in any way so that it inclinations of their subjects? money is coercion. For example, one becomes the focus of the ad, 4) the ad person said, “this seems utterly absurd. also contains the amount of time 3. Our third example is a good By these standards, if I pay a college required for participation in the study, illustration of Lou Penner’s (2002) student as a babysitter I'm coercing her 5) participants come from non- warning about the local REBs’ into babysitting. It is just fair payment vulnerable adult populations. Notice idiosyncratic interpretations of the for services rendered. Coercion refers that only point 3 regarding the look of rules. Although the Tri-Council to the use of excessive compensation the ad is relevant to the question of Statement is silent on the advertising of intended to entice people to do advertising. Every other requirement payment for research participation, our something they would not otherwise be would have been assessed during a local non-medical REB, for many willing to do (out of fear, moral standard ethical review. years, has refused to allow objection, or essentially any other It appears to us that these limitations investigators to advertise how much reason beyond ‘it's not worth my were listed primarily to assert who the money subjects will be paid. time’).” boss is and do not add a scintilla of Participants were allowed to call to find additional ethical protection to subjects. out, and payment information is part of Some discussed the ethics of ethics And, oh yes, the policy must be the informed consent form, but the committees. “They are depriving reassessed in one year! amount must not be placed in the ad. investigators of the opportunity to The REB’s rationale is that money is conduct valuable scientific research 4. As a final example, two of our coercion, and coercion is bad. and preventing research participants colleagues in the sociology department from making money for their time and were engaged in a health research As a member of the local REB, and effort. To try to induce research project in which one of their goals was wanting evidence to argue with the participants to provide services for to assess the adequacy of the current REB, Dick Sorrentino wrote to nothing when they could have been method for calculating life expectancy members of the SPSP list to canvass paid is also unethical.” for native Canadians. The research was their opinions and university’s policies funded by the Social Sciences and on this issue. All of the 26 respondents One person suggested using arguments Humanities Research Council (one of who replied were in favor of from compliance research. “It’s more the tri-councils) and one of the partners advertising the amount paid to harmful to get people to call you and in the research was the federal participants, and many were quite then tell them the incentive -- because Department of Indian Affairs. The emphatic about it. All disagreed that in that context (on the phone, where on investigators’ idea was to match death money is by definition, coercion. Only the spot, they have to decide yes or no) statistics with persons listed on the one person said that their university’s you're more likely as a person to be Indian Register. These data are kept IRB looked upon money as coercion, vulnerable to heuristics, to giving into by another federal agency, Statistics but even so, they were still allowed to something flashy and attractive, even if Canada, which initially was also advertise the amount. on more deliberation you might think interested in the accuracy of life more about it and have decided expectancy figures. Most of the arguments centered on differently.” informed consent. That is, participants (Continued on page 24) Page 24 DIALOGUE Canada’s Ethical Review of Human Research, Cont. (Continued from page 23) accreditation and national Interagency Advisory Panel on The research got hung up because governance Research Ethics, http:// Statistics Canada felt that it would be • aims to extend coverage to private www.safs.niagara.com/issuescases/ unethical to check whether newly dead sector research, again with no pre.html people were listed on the Indian justification Register, without obtaining permission. • suggests that socially desirable Social Sciences and Humanities Permission! From whom? Unless the outcomes are the aim of research Research Council of Canada (1997). silence of the dead is taken as • has been developed by a top-down Tri-council policy statement: Ethical agreement, there is a problem. process driven by insiders and conduct for research involving humans, Apparently, it was not possible to bioethicists http://www.sshrc.ca/english/ budge Statistics Canada on this point. • has had no meaningful input from programinfo/policies/Index.htm ■ the community of individual As the “negotiations” between the scholars researchers and Statistics Canada • continues to download the unfolded, the researchers began to expenses to the local institutional SPSP encourages you to vote realize that the issue was review boards in the APA Presidential elec- hypersensitivity on the part of Statistics • seems guided by the premise that tion — Please help put an- Canada to doing research with native more control is inherently good other scientist in this office! populations. One need only read the Tri-Council Statement section on As Yogi Berra said, “It’s deja vu all research with aboriginal communities over again.” Whether Canadian to realize the political sensitivity of researchers will mobilize once more to RAND: Research in the such investigations. The researchers protect their interests and be successful Private Sector, Cont. ultimately decided against conducting in limiting the ‘damage’ is unknown at this aspect of their research. this time. (Continued from page 25) Unfortunately, the situation may Endnotes Another way in which working at worsen in the future. The Tri-Council RAND is distinct from working in an 1 has now decided that the Order of authorship is alphabetical academic setting is that research at implementation of the 1997 Statement RAND tends to be applied rather than 2 must be systematically policed and The Tri-Council deliberated on what theory-focused. For psychologists at standardized across all institutions to call the people who sign up for RAND, theory is most often a powerful where research is conducted. Working experiments, and chose the term tool for developing innovative behind the scenes without the full subjects over participants. It is solutions to complex problems rather knowledge of the research community, tempting to conclude that the real than the topic of research. Because various federal agencies, vying with purpose here was to reaffirm that RAND is problem-focused, researchers each other for control of the research Canadians really are different from here often see their findings applied ethics industry, are making plans for Americans. immediately to areas of social concern. accrediting the REBs. According to For example, the Oakland Police The Society for Academic Freedom and References Department is planning to use my Scholarship which has examined the research on community-police relations available documents the current plan: Ceci, S.J., Peters, D., & Plotkin, J. to revise officer training practices and (1985). Human subjects review, guide implementation of racial • does not establish any need for a personal values, and the regulation of profiling policies. Having national governance system social science research. American opportunities to exert direct influence • does not make it clear that there Psychologist, September, 994-1002. on policy and decision-making is one will be any benefits to researchers of the great benefits of working at • provides no assessment scheme to Penner, L. (2002). IRB and U:What RAND and provides a heightened sense document the benefits to public Institutional Review Boards are of purpose for conducting my daily safety supposed to do. Dialogue, 17 (1), 28- work. RAND affords me a unique • uses a medical research model 29. opportunity to apply psychological which is not applicable to research findings and thought to help address in general Society for Academic Freedom and some of society’s most challenging • is unclear on even the mechanics of Scholarship (2002). Response to issues.■ DIALOGUE Page 25 RAND: A Unique Opportunity For Conducting Psychological Research In The Private Sector By Steven C. Martino to inform policy decisions in areas such agendas to pursue and what type of as health, public safety and justice, career path to follow. RAND What is it like to work at a public education, labor and population, researchers are salaried. Our funding policy think tank? What kind of science and technology. RAND serves comes mostly from U. S. governmental research do people do at RAND? What the public interest by communicating agencies, including the National are the backgrounds of researchers who its research to the broadest possible Institutes of Health, and foundations. work there? Is it like holding an audiences, especially to policy-makers, Although RAND does not have a academic position? These are some of scholars, and the media. In addition to tenure system, promotions are based on the questions that I was asked during books, reports, and journal articles, many of the same criteria that are used my poster presentation at the 2002 RAND makes its work accessible to evaluate the success of academic SPSP conference in Savannah. through congressional briefings, researchers: publishing in peer- Although I expected to be answering testimony, speeches, and reviewed scientific journals, securing questions about my research, I spent commentaries. external funds for research, and most of the poster session (and the institutional contributions. There are happy hour that followed it) answering Forty of the more than 600 full-time even opportunities to teach at RAND questions about RAND. These researchers at RAND are Ph.D. and to work with graduate student questions did not surprise me, psychologists, including 15 social research assistants. RAND has a considering that two years earlier, at psychologists. RAND psychologists graduate school that awards Ph.D.’s in the first annual SPSP meeting, I was work in multidisciplinary collaborative public policy. A survey course in the one eagerly asking these same teams, bringing psychological theory behavioral science focuses on social questions of someone who is now my and strong methodological skills to psychology and is taught regularly by colleague at RAND. bear on some of our nation’s most RAND psychologists. In addition, pressing problems. For example, in my RAND is strongly affiliated with local At that time, I was a graduate student at research I am studying community universities such as UCLA, with some the University of Minnesota where my members’ perceptions of bias-based staff holding joint appointments. training was heavily focused on basic policing; examining how exposure to research but also emphasized and alcohol advertising impacts the Although RAND has many similarities provided opportunities for interesting alcohol-related beliefs of children; to academia, there are important applications of social psychological applying social psychological theories differences as well. Researchers at theory. At Minnesota, I was of health behavior to understand the RAND conduct their research in conducting research on health behavior treatment decisions and behaviors of multidisciplinary teams. In my own and decision-making, stereotyping and primary care providers; and identifying research, I collaborate effectively with prejudice, and the self-concept. I was the antecedents and long-term sociologists, economists, statisticians, anticipating a traditional academic consequences of adolescent drug use. political scientists, anthropologists, and career, but was also exploring Psychologists with a background in physicians. This routine opportunities for conducting applied personality work on similar issues, as interdisciplinary collaboration is part of research at a few private sector well as development of tests and what makes RAND such a stimulating organizations. Learning about RAND measures relevant to key policy issues. and challenging environment in which convinced me that a research job RAND measures of physical and to conduct research. The RAND outside of academia could be just as psychological functioning are well collaborative structure regularly rewarding and stimulating as a career known among applied researchers. exposes researchers to multiple as an academic psychologist. perspectives on social policy issues and The majority of my days are spent facilitates building research in new The thing that impressed me most designing studies, collecting and areas. Because of the collaborative about RAND is the exceptional analyzing data, preparing research nature of work at RAND, it is essential diversity of its research. In addition to manuscripts, attending seminars, job to build collegial relations with other helping the United States military talks, and brown bag lunches, and researchers and to find areas of mutual address issues of national security, writing research proposals. In fact, interest. At any given time there are RAND researchers apply their much of my daily work life is hundreds of ongoing projects on disciplinary, technical and analytical indistinguishable from that of an diverse topics, providing researchers expertise to a broad range of domestic academic psychologist. Like university with lots of possibilities for extending social and economic problems, working professors, RAND researchers have their research purview. autonomy in deciding what research (Continued on page 24) Page 26 DIALOGUE NIH RFA For Exploratory/Developmental Grants In Social Neuroscience: A Great Success By Carolyn C. Morf , work in this area were in one way or Monitoring and the Control of another related to an application (either Prejudice”; University of Colorado; National Institute of Mental as PIs or consultants). However, the funded by NIMH Health review panel was a wonderful group of people who performed a truly Kanwisher, Nancy; Ph.D.; In September 2001, NIH released a Herculean task of pooling their “Understanding Other Minds; fMRI Request for Applications (RFA), resources and various areas of Investigations”; Massachusetts Institute inviting applications to examine the expertise. They did a superb job of Technology; funded by NIMH neural processes involved in social evaluating the applications, as well as behavior within the framework of the providing the PIs with excellent Kelley, William; Ph.D.; “Functional exploratory/developmental grant feedback on their proposed work. Anatomic Studies of Self-Knowledge”; mechanism (reported in the Fall 2001 Special thanks also are due to John Dartmouth College; funded by NIMH Dialogue). Cacioppo who consulted in the organization of this group and presided Lieberman, Matthew; Ph.D.; “The Role The intent of this RFA was to act as a over and greatly facilitated the of Anterior Cingulate Cortex in catalyst for a newly emerging area of committees functions. Neuroticism and Social Cognition”; interdisciplinary research merging University of California, LA; funded social/personality/affective psychology The money set aside for the RFA by NIMH with neuroscience in order to elucidate fundamental mechanisms of social The RFA was successful Mendoza, Sally; Ph.D.; “The Role of behavior. The hope was that the RFA way beyond our the Somatosensory Cortex in Affective would encourage innovative new expectations. NIH Social Relationships”; University of directions in this area, facilitate new California at Davis; funded by NIMH cross-area or cross-disciplinary received a total of 90 collaboration, and help increase the wonderfully diverse Wang, Zuoxin; Ph.D.; “Adult number and quality of researchers in Neurogenesis, Amygdala, and Social this interdisciplinary area. applications that spanned Attachment”; Florida State University; the full range of work in funded by NIMH The RFA was successful way beyond this area. our expectations. NIH received a total As can be seen from the titles, the of 90 wonderfully diverse applications allowed NIH to fund the 10 best funded applications reflect the diversity that spanned the full range of work in applications, which are as follows: of topics and research areas of the this area. The research proposals range of submitted applications. It addressed questions in Developmental Carver, Leslie; Ph.D.; “Neural Basis of should be noted that while under the Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Social Cognition in Early Childhood”; RFA only 10 of the applications could Social Psychology (ranging from University of California, San Diego; be funded, many others are currently in Social Cognition, Interpersonal funded by NICHD the process of being revised and will be Relationships, Motivation, etc.), resubmitted to NIH as part of the Personality Psychology, Cognitive Eberhardt, Jennifer; Ph.D.; regular grant application cycle. Psychology, Psychoimmunology, ”Development of Race Bias in Face Psychopharmacology, and Animal Recognition”; Stanford University; In short, we feel that the RFA was a Cognition and Behavior. It also funded by NIMH success beyond simply the applications included work with many different that were actually funded this round, populations, from children to clinical Gorman, Jack; Ph.D.; “Neural Circuitry because it also put many others in the and normal human samples, to voles, of Social Behavior in Bonnet pipeline. Moreover, while NIH does nonhuman primates, rats, mice, rhesus Macaques”; New York State not anticipate another initiative in this monkeys, and more. Psychiatric Institute; funded by NIMH area in the immediate future, NIH will continue its long term commitment to Of course, the review of all this diverse Hooley, Jill; Ph.D.; “The Neural strongly support work in Social set of applications presented a special Correlates of Criticism and Praise”; Neuroscience. ■ challenge, not only because of the Harvard University; funded by NIMH breadth of expertise needed, but also because most of the researchers who Ito, Tiffany; Ph.D.; “Conflict DIALOGUE Page 27 An Overview of the National Institute of Justice By Akiva Liberman Prosecution; Drug Court Research and justice person. My role is split between Evaluation; Research on Sexual scientific review and the development National Institute of Justice Violence; Crime Mapping Research; the and monitoring of research. On the Utility of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco scientific review side, I am involved both The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is and Firearm's Youth Crime Gun in the review of proposals and of final the research, development, and evaluation Interdiction Initiative; Crime and Justice research reports. NIJ’s proposal review agency of the U.S. Department of Justice Research and Evaluation: American process includes both external peer and is the only Federal agency solely Indian and Alaska Native Issues. review and internal scientific review. We dedicated to researching crime control also conduct both internal and external and justice issues. NIJ's mission is to As you might expect, external validity review of the final research reports inform policy and practice to prevent and carries considerably more weight in NIJ's required from all grants. These reviews reduce crime, improve law enforcement funding decisions than in mainstream then inform NIJ’s decisions about and the administration of justice, and social psychology. Although whether to publish directly. Of course, we promote public safety. Within NIJ, the experimental designs are valued, they are also encourage NIJ grantees to publish in Office of Research and Evaluation funds rare; we often fund quasi-experimental peer-review journals. Final research social science research concerning crime studies. Laboratory analogues to real-life reports are also generally made publicly and justice. NIJ's Office of Science and situations are rarely used. available through the National Criminal Technology primarily funds research Justice Reference Service (http:// involving the technology and forensic Both criminal justice practitioners and www.ncjrs.org/). (NIJ also requires sciences. researchers have input into NIJ’s research research grants to submit public-use data priorities and participate in reviewing sets, which are archived at the National What kind of social science research does proposal and research reports. NIJ Archive of Criminal Justice Data at the NIJ fund? publications are used to disseminate University of Michigan, at http:// research findings, particularly to policy www.icpsr.umich.edu/NACJD/.) I The social science research funded by and practitioner audiences. have also been involved in coordination NIJ consists of applied research, program and scientific review with other federal evaluation, and basic research on criminal Incidentally, while NIJ is OJP's primary agencies concerned with youth behavior. NIJ's mission, organizational research agency, two sister agencies also violence research, though interagency location, and primary funding partners conduct research: The Bureau of Justice tend to make applied research and workgroups. Statistics compiles criminal justice evaluation more central than basic statistics, conducts surveys including the research. At any time, my grant portfolio, which National Criminal Victimization Survey, is fairly typical, has generally consisted and is the source for many news stories of 25 to 30 grants, mostly concerning NIJ-funded researchers come from quoting “Justice Department reports" on juvenile crime, delinquency, and academia, policy research organizations, issues such as recent increases in the and state and local agencies, and from a number of prisoners in the U.S., or how violence, and the justice system's variety of disciplines including much crime has fallen (or risen) lately response, although also including a criminology, sociology, economics, and (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/). In smattering of other things including psychology. One social psychologist addition, the Office of Juvenile Justice some public opinion research. These funded recently from our 2001 and Delinquency Prevention primarily are mostly $100 -- $300K grants, solicitation on Examining Minority Trust funds programs, but also has a research although they also include small and Confidence in the Police is Tom mission relating to delinquency and dissertation grants and secondary data Tyler. In 1999, NIJ published a guideline juvenile justice (http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/). analysis grants, as well as a large to eyewitness testimony drawing on Gary longitudinal study, the Project on Wells’s research. My role at NIJ. Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods, which consists of a In recent years, the Office of Research NIJ's social scientists generally reflect the study of Chicago neighborhoods and Evaluation has had one annual open interdisciplinary mix found in integrated with a longitudinal study of research solicitation (i.e., RFP), typically criminology: Most are criminologists youth in neighborhoods stratified on in January, for "Investigator-Initiated and sociologists by training, alongside SES and racial composition. Research" totaling about $3M of funding. several Ph.D. psychologists, and the NIJ also awards Graduate Research occasional economist or political More information about NIJ, Fellowships (i.e., dissertation grants) of scientist. I am currently the sole social $15,000, and small grants for secondary publications, and solicitations is psychologist. available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ data analysis of NIJ data sets. NIJ also issues directed solicitations for research nij/, or from me at Since joining NIJ in 1999, I have been [email protected], or at (202) on specific topics. Recent topics have NIJ's primary juvenile crime and juvenile included: School Safety; Community 514-2919.■ Page 28 DIALOGUE DIALOGUE Page 29 SPSP’s Inaugural Service Awards New awards Go to Breckler, Chemers, Latané, and Rhodewalt By Jim Blascovich the latter, Bibb led the formidable task One of the Awards for Service on of launching PSPB. Through the Behalf of Personality and Social At its most recent winter meeting the Behavioral Science Laboratory at Ohio Psychology will be presented to Steve Executive Committee inaugurated State University, he became its first Breckler, Social Psychology Program service awards to be bestowed on a publisher. Both of these actions proved Director at the National Science regular basis to acknowledge sustained crucial to the intellectual growth and Foundation. Steve not only directs one and impactful contributions in two strength of SPSP. of the best run programs at NSF and categories: service to the Society itself argues successfully for its funding, but and service on behalf of personality Another of the Awards for Service to has encouraged personality and social and social psychology. At its summer the Society will be presented to Martin psychologists to participate in meeting, the Executive Committee Chemers for his important foundation-wide initiatives thereby voted to present two service awards in contributions during the 1980s and expanding the external resources each category at the upcoming SPSP 1990s. Marty served in various available to members of our meeting in Los Angeles during its capacities on the Executive Committee disciplines. opening ceremonies. for more than a decade including Managing Editor of the Society’s Another of the Awards for Service on One of the Awards for Service to the publications, Secretary-Treasurer, and Behalf of Personality and Social Society will be presented to Bibb service on the Publication Committee. Psychology will be presented to Fred Latané for his important contributions Marty founded the Society newsletter, Rhodewalt. In addition to his duties as during the 1970s during which time he Dialogue, in the early 1980s and was current editor of PSPB, Fred has made served on the Executive Committee as its first editor. Marty also was a sustained contribution to the President-Elect, President, and Past- instrumental in the development of intellectual growth of our disciplines by President. Bibb was instrumental in publishing contracts for PSPB that inaugurating and running the annual moving the Society to incorporate proved financially advantageous for the Social Psychology Winter conference. separately from APA while retaining its Society, remain so to this day, and, This small but discipline-wide status as Division 8 of the APA. This indeed, kept the Society afloat conference has met since 1985, incorporation allowed the Society to financially at a time of near attracting over the years many admit members outside of the APA and bankruptcy. personality and social psychologists. ■ to publish its own journals. Regarding and posters, you can look forward to SPSP Heads West! 2003 Convention in LA experiencing cutting-edge research presentations. Go there to hear the latest in your field, to discover new The hotels are situated in the ways in which psychologists are By Tim Strauman magnificent Hollywood Hills and thinking about people, or just to see Attention all personality and social provide star-studded views of and be seen! As a result of the high psychologists: SPSP is Going Hollywood and the San Fernando esteem in which our discipline is held, Hollywood! And we don’t mean Valley. (Hey, we study people for a we have been able to negotiate selling out to the insatiable media living, right?) The famed Universal favorable rates with both hotels: $155 machine for 15 minutes of fame, Studios and the Universal City Walk single/double. Please check the either…no, we’re taking the town by are close by, as is subway access to conference website, http:// storm! The fourth annual conference downtown Los Angeles. Dining, www.conferencesandmeetings.org/ of the Society for Personality and sightseeing, people-watching, spsp.htm, for details regarding Social Psychology will take place on entertainment – it’s all there and easily conference registration and hotel February 6-8th, 2003, in Universal accessible day or night. It’s enough to reservations. City/Los Angeles, California. The turn a jaded academic into a stereotypic conference will be held at two hotels American tourist. Be sure to make plans early – last that are immediately adjacent to one year’s conference at Savannah was a another: the Sheraton Universal City The conference program promises to be big hit and this year promises to be and Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City. the largest and most diverse in SPSP’s even bigger. The hotels are sure to fill What better venue to showcase all that history. Thanks to an unprecedented up fast, so don’t delay. We’ll see you number of submissions for symposia our discipline has to offer? in Hollywood! ■ Page 30 DIALOGUE We also believe its key messages are as sound and relevant today as they were Announcements at the time of the book’s initial publication nearly two decades ago. thoughtful reflection on teaching social Sociology Psychology Winter From the reviews . . . and personality psychology. Neil Conference Returns to “The book reflects the expertise of its Lutsky of Carleton College is Park City, Utah authors in social, clinical, and organizing the Teaching Social and developmental psychology . . . After a two-year break, the Social Personality Pre-Conference on behalf scholarly and readable . . . . There is Psychology Winter Conference will of the Society for the Teaching of no question that it will become a major held in Park City, Utah on January 8- Psychology. source for investigators and students 11, 2003. Participants arrive on th interested in close relationships.” Tuesday the 7 and leave on Sunday New Book the 12th. The conference location is the —Sharon S. Brehm in Science The High Price of Materialism (2002). Radisson Park City Hotel. Tim Kasser. MIT Press. A book of singular importance. . . . Kelley and his colleagues . . . have This book offers a scientific The Social Psychology Program at the been extraordinarily successful. . . . explanation of how our contemporary University of Utah, hosts of the And as a result of their landmark effort, culture of consumerism and conference, invite all who are a science of close relationships seems materialism affects our everyday interested in attending to consult the for the first time to be a real possibility. happiness and psychological health. conference web page: —Zick Rubin in Contemporary Empirical research is reviewed www.psych.utah.edu/social/winterset.html Psychology or to contact Fred Rhodewalt at demonstrating that individuals whose ISBN 0-9712427-8-X/paperback/612 [email protected] for values center on the accumulation of pp./July 2002/$39.50 more information. wealth and material possessions face a greater risk of unhappiness, including James McKeen Cattell Fund David Myers to Give Keynote anxiety, depression, and low life satisfaction. Kasser proposes a theory Sabbatical Awards Address at Teaching Social and Personality Psychology Pre- (and provides supporting evidence) that The James McKeen Cattell Fund gives Conference materialistic values are associated with out 4-6 awards each year to academic low well-being because they maintain psychologists who would like to extend A first-ever Teaching Social and feelings of insecurity and because they their sabbatical leaves. These awards Personality Psychology Pre-Conference lead people into experiences which are to supplement the sabbatical will be held February 6 in conjunction poorly satisfy their needs for esteem, allowance provided by the recipients’ with the annual meeting of the Society connection to others, and autonomy/ home institutions, to allow an extension for Personality and Social Psychology. authenticity. Finally, he discusses ways of leave-time from one to two David Myers of Hope College, author we can change ourselves, our families, semesters. Up to $32,000 in of Social Psychology and the newly- and society to become less Salary is offered. Applicants must released Intuition: Its Powers and materialistic. write a short proposal for the year's Perils, will be giving the keynote work, and get several letters of address. Other featured speakers New Edition in paperback recommendation. Application include Dean Keith Simonton of the materials, requirements for award University of California at Davis, Dan Close Relationships eligibility, and a list of previous Cervone of the University of Illinois at Harold H. Kelley , Ellen Berscheid, recipients are available at Chicago, Randy Smith of Ouachita Andrew Christensen, John H. Harvey, http://www.cattell.duke.edu/. Deadline Baptist University, Mary Kite of Ball Ted L. Huston, George Levinger, Evie for Academic Year 2003-2004 awards State University, Pamela Bacon of St. McClintock, Letitia Anne Peplau, and is December 1, 2002. Olaf College, and Regan Gurung of the Donald R. Peterson, with a New University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. Introduction by Ellen Berscheid and Harold H. Kelley Heider Lecture at Kansas The purposes of the Teaching Social From the Introduction to the Percheron Harold H. “Hal” Kelley was the and Personality Pre-Conference are to Press Edition . . . inaugural University of Kansas Heider highlight teaching as an important We speak for all of the authors of Close Lecturer in April, 2002. This series component of the professional roles of Relationships when we express our honors the intellectual legacy of Fritz social and personality psychologists, to great pleasure in seeing our book back Heider, and is endowed by faculty, consider new topics and materials that in print again, for we believe its alumni, and the gift of royalties from could be used in teaching social and republication reflects the growing The Psychology of Interpersonal personality psychology, and to promote importance of the relationship field. Relations from the Heider family.■ DIALOGUE Page 31 emotions, their cross-cultural 6, pp. 152-166), and to John A. generality, their expression, and how Updegraff of the University of Awards these insights can be combined in the California, Los Angeles for his article Murray Award aid of applied issues such as lie (co-authored with Shelley E. Taylor, detection. Margaret E. Kemeny, and Gail E. The 2003 winner of the Murray award Dr. Ekman will present an award Wyatt), "Positive and negative effects is David Winter. From the letters that address at the 2003 SPSP meeting in of HIV-infection in women with low the committee received in support of Los socioeconomic Professor Winter's nomination, it is Angeles, where he will receive a plaque resources," published in Personality clear that his research exemplifies and cash prize. and Social Psychology Bulletin, many important aspects of the Murray March 2002 (vol. 28, pp. 382-394). tradition. The committee recognized his Campbell Award seminal contributions to how Papers authored by predoctoral psychology relates to politics and Hazel Markus of Stanford University students and accepted for publication in history, his development of the content has been selected as the 2002 winner of analytic methods such as the power the SPSP Donald Campbell motivation assessment system, and his Award for Distinguished Scientific Publication Committee interest in detailed analyses of single Contribution to the field of social individuals such as his brilliant case psychology. Professor Markus has Report, cont. study of Richard Nixon. As a world- been a leader in the study of the self. (continued from page 8) renowned personality psychologist and Her noteworthy contributions include a pioneer and leader in the work on cultural psychology and adult Personality and Social Psychology interdisciplinary field of political development that has greatly enhanced Review continues to grow at a psychology, his work exhibits an our understanding of the relationship gratifying rate. The number of unswerving commitment to the study of between sociocultural environments submissions to the journal is up. the individual in context, exemplifying and psychological structures and Through July of 2002, the journal had the best aspects of the personological processes. As part of this award, Hazel received 52 submissions, versus a total tradition and the legacy of Henry A. will deliver an invited address at the for calendar year 2001 of 67. This Murray. David Winter will be giving 2003 SPSP meeting in Los Angeles. represents a healthy growth in his address at the APA convention in The selection committee this year was submissions that the journal can easily Toronto next August. composed of Leslie Zebrowitz (Chair), accommodate. The overall rejection Dick Nisbett, and Claude Steele. rate of the journal is 80%. Block Award Student Publication Award There is one important note about PSPR that is worth mulling over—and SPSP is pleased to announce that Dr. potentially doing something about. Paul Ekman is the winner of the 3rd The recipient of the 2001 Student Being a new journal, PSPR is far from Annual Jack Block award for Publication award is Antonio L. Freitas achieving full-penetration in Personality Research. The nomination of Yale University, for his article (co- institutional library subscriptions. of the award committee (David Funder, authored with Nira Liberman, Peter Many university libraries do not carry Carol Dweck, and Auke Tellegen) was Salovey, and E. Tory Higgins), "When PSPR because they simply do not know ratified by the SPSP Executive Board to begin? Regulatory focus and it exists. It would be an obvious at its February meeting. The first initiating goal pursuit," published in resource for faculty and students to winner of this prestigious award was Personality and Social Psychology have their university library subscribe Jack Block (before the award was Bulletin, January 2002 (vol. 28, pp. to PSPR. It would also help the society named), and the 121-130). and its members financially to have a second winner was Auke Tellegen. greater number of libraries subscribe to Dr. Ekman’s contributions to Honorable mentions were awarded to the journal. SPSP members can help psychology have been fundamental to a Lucian Gideon Conway, III, of Indiana simply by exploring whether their own balanced and broad understanding of State University for his article (co- university library currently subscribes the biological-evolutionary, cultural, authored with Mark Schaller), "On the to the journal, and then requesting that and verifiability of evolutionary the library subscribe. (I have done so psychological roots of affect and affect psychological theories: An analysis of at Cornell University—it only took one expression. His work has been the psychology of scientific email—and the relevant librarian was methodologically innovative as well, as persuasion," very happy to put the journal at the top he has provided fundamental insights published in Personality and Social of the list of new acquisitions.) ■ into such topics as the basic nature of Psychology Review, May 2002 (vol. SPSP Officers and Committee Members, 2002 VOLUMEPage 32 17, NO. 2 DIALOGUE Claude Steele* President Published at: Jim Blascovich* President-Elect Department of Psychology Hazel Markus President-Elect-Elect University of Kansas Ed Deiner * Past President Lawrence, KS 66045 Harry Reis Executive Officer Sharon Brehm* Co-Secretary-Treasurer Phone: 785-864-9807 Leslie Zebrowitz* Co-Secretary-Treasurer Fax: 785-864-5696 Fred Rhodewalt Editor, PSPB Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Eliot Smith Editor, PSPR Chris Crandall Co-Editor, Dialogue News of the Society Since 1986 Monica Biernat Co-Editor, Dialogue Dan Cervone SPSP Convention Committee, Chair Lynne Cooper SPSP Convention Committee Grappling with Grad Gripes Rick Hoyle SPSP Convention Committee Joshua Aronson APA Program Committee, Co-Chair (Continued from page 17) Andrew Elliot APA Program Committee, Co-Chair strategy may not result in advisors David Dunning Publication Committee, Chair receiving feedback, it still may save John Dovidio Publication Committee some students from getting burned. Joanne Wood Publication Committee Some argued that student complaints Allen Omoto Training Committee, Chair about faculty were simply too Kim Bartholomew Training Committee important not to be recorded, even if Lisa Aspinwall Training Committee they weren't shared with the targets of Anne Bettencourt Diversity Committee the complaints immediately. Once a Gregory Herek Diversity Committee critical number of offenses has been Lloyd Sloan Diversity Committee recorded, the faculty member may be Monica Biernat* APA Council Rep and Member at Large approached. These records might also June Tangney* APA Council Rep and Member at Large be passed to the new GEC chair when Susan Andersen* Member at Large the position changes hands so that each David Funder* Member at Large new person in the job doesn't have to Judith Harackiewicz* Member at Large start afresh figuring out that there is a Gina Reisinger-Verdin Executive Assistant problem with Professor X (of course, this strategy has unfortunate results for *Denotes voting member of the SPSP Executive Committee Professor X's students if Professor X becomes the new GEC chair). Dialogue Mission Statement meetings about what constitutes good Dialogue is the official newsletter of the Society mentorship can clarify expectations and for Personality and Social Psychology. It ap- One particularly wise respondent with pears twice every year, in the spring and fall. experience in this realm stressed that discourage bad habits. These Its intended readership is members of the Soci- it's important to remember that many discussions might also include a ety. The purpose of Dialogue is to report news summary of graduate complaints or of the Society, stimulate debate on issues, and graduate students are young adults and generally inform and occasionally entertain. thus may be experiencing many "adult" persistent problems (without any Dialogue publishes summaries about meetings things for the first time, not to mention individuating information) from the of the Society’s executive committee and sub- GEC chair. Perhaps of equal committees, as well as announcements, opinion that they are dealing with the pressures pieces, letters to the editor, humor, and other of graduate school. Problems with importance, these discussions expose articles of general interest to personality and advisors may reflect more global faculty to the variety of ways that their social psychologists. The Editors seek to publish problems that GEC chairs may not be colleagues handle issues such as all relevant and appropriate contributions, authorship, lab meetings, and grant although the Editors reserve the right to deter- able to help with, depending on their mine publishability. Content may be solicited clinical skills and their personal support. After all, many students' by the Editors or offered, unsolicited, by mem- philosophy about how involved faculty expectations about what their advisor bers. News of the Society and Committee Re- should be doing come from comparing ports are reviewed for accuracy and content by members should get. officers or committee chairs of SPSP. All other notes with friends in other labs. Finally, content is reviewed at the discretion of the Despite the sticky issues that make departments should take care to Editors. grad complaints such a dilemma, the socialize new faculty members to good news is that preventative assure that they are mentored in the art of mentoring by other faculty members Society for Personality and Social Psyclogy measures and common sense go a long Visit us at www.spsp.org way. Periodic discussions in faculty who set the best example.■