E-Book Overview
The idea that there is a fundamental rift between researchers and practitioners should not come as a surprise to anyone familiar with the current literature, trends, and general feelings in the field of clinical psychology. Central to this scientist-practitioner gap is an underlying disagreement over the nature of knowledge - namely that while some individuals point to research studies as the foundation of truth, others argue that clinical experience offers a more adequate understanding of the causes, assessment, and treatment of mental illness.
<EM>The Great Ideas of Clinical Science is an ambitious attempt to dig beneath these fundamental differences, and reintroduce the reader to unifying principles often overlooked by students and professionals alike. The editors have identified 17 such universals, and have pulled together a group of the most prolific minds in the field to present the philosophical, methodological, and conceptual ideas that define the state of the field. Each chapter focuses on practical as well as conceptual points, offering valuable insight to practicing clinicians, researchers, and teachers of any level of experience. Written for student, practitioner, researcher, and educated layperson, this integrative volume aims to facilitate communication among all mental health professionals and to narrow the scientist-practitioner gap.
E-Book Content
The Great Ideas of Clinical Science
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The Great Ideas of Clinical Science 17 Principles That Every Mental Health Professional Should Understand
Edited by
Scott O. Lilienfeld and William T. O’Donohue
New York London
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
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Routledge Taylor & Francis Group 270 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016
Routledge Taylor & Francis Group 2 Park Square Milton Park, Abingdon Oxon OX14 4RN
© 2007 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 International Standard Book Number-10: 0-415-95038-4 (Hardcover) International Standard Book Number-13: 978-0-415-95038-1 (Hardcover) No part of this book may be reprinted, reproduced, transmitted, or utilized in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publishers. Trademark Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data The great ideas of clinical science : 17 principles that every mental health professional should understand / Scott O. Lilienfeld, William T. O’Donohue, editors. p. ; cm. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0-415-95038-4 (hb : alk. paper) 1. Clinical psychology. I. Lilienfeld, Scott O., 1960- . II. O’Donohue, William T. [DNLM: 1. Psychology, Clinical. 2. Research. WM 105 G786 2007] RC467.G74 2007 616.8--dc22
2006012727
Visit the Taylor & Francis Web site at http://www.taylorandfrancis.com and the Routledge Web site at http://www.routledgementalhealth.com
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Contents Foreword About the Editors Contributors Introduction PART I
HOW TO THINK CLEARLY ABOUT CLINICAL SCIENCE
ix xiii xv xxiii 1
1
Science Is an Essential Safeguard Against Human Error 3
2
The Clinician as Subject: Practitioners Are Prone