Book Reviews 85

nitive and affective processing. While this is an obvious focus in depression research, there has been relatively little focus on this interaction in studies on schizophrenia. Does flat, absent, or inappropriate affect render this interaction unimportant in schizophrenia? Perhaps, a more differenti- ated view of affect (beyond motivation) in schizophrenia research could be a fruitful area of investigation. Future models of cognitive functioning will be forced to address this question.

Goodman’s article points to the importance of the early context for affective development. and the Mirsky et al. article suggests the relationship of later functional differ- ences between monozygotic twins raised in the same environment who are treated differently by their parents. A model even more complex than the one proposed by Goodman seems necessary to account for the myriad of paths to a final symptom picture in depression or schizo- phrenia. As usual, empirically sound research raises more

questions than it answers. At this point “progress” in psychopathology research reveals ever expanding com- plexity.

The monograph format offers greater space and freedom to explore ideas than can be found in journals devoted to concise empirical studies. It could perhaps have its usefulness increased by focusing on a particular diagnosis and/or areas of research within a diagnosis. In the present manner, it may be useful as a text for a seminar or as an adjunct to a textbook in psychopathology. The series has the potentiality to make increasingly valuable contribu- tions to the literature. I commend Maher and the present editors for their work on this and past volumes.

LOUIS J. COZOLINO

Pepperdine University Culver City CA 90230, U.S.A.

The Role of Values in Psychology and Human Development

Edited by W. M. KURTINES, M. AZMITIA and J. L. GEWIRTZ New York, John Wiley. 1991,292 pp.

This edited book contains 12 chapters in which the contributors examine the role of assumptions and values in psychological theory and research. As the title suggests, much of the book is concerned with child development, with particular emphasis on moral development. Broader issues also are addressed, such as the influence of assumptions and values on the selection of research questions and interpretation of data.

The book is composed of three sections. The first section presents a historical introduction. Chapter 1 highlights the limitations of positivism, and emphasizes the importance of phenomena such as values, standards, and societal norms. The second chapter presents a historical perspec- tive on theories of moral action and moral development. Martin Packer, the author of Chapter 2, illustrates the importance of values in the theories of Piaget and Kohlberg. Packer argues that “Piaget and Kohlberg presented democratic individualism as though it was a universal empirical truth” (p. 41). Kohlberg’s theory is said to be more a reflection of North American democracy than a characterization of universal, culture-free stages of moral development.

The second part of the book is mostly concerned with the role of values in developmental theory and research. In this section, John Meacham observes that an investigator’s history, motivations, and values may influence his or her theoretical persuasion, choice of research topic, and interpretation of the data. Meacham suggests that it is difficult, if not impossible, to overcome these influences,

and it may be better to have these influences explicitly stated in the research report so that the reader can appreciate the context of the investigation. Thus, Meacham recommends that the method section of each empirical article contain a subsection describing the major demographic characteristics of the researcher, such as race, ethnicity, religion, class, age, and sex. This informa- tion certainly would be of interest to a psychohistorian. However, Meacham fails to demonstrate that such infor- mation would be useful for fellow investigators. Indeed, it may compromise the objective evaluation of a research report by inducing stereotype biases in some readers.

The third section of the book examines the implications of values for the scientific study of moral phenomena. This section returns to problems such as the question of whether Kohlberg and Piaget captured universal properties of moral development, free from prevailing intellectual and social ideology. The section also considers the implications that moral theories have for the organization and regula- tion of society.

One concern with this volume is the imbalance in the amount of space devoted to opposing points of view. There are at least two ways of addressing the issue of values in science. One approach is to de-emphasize positivism, and introduce value judgments as an important component in evaluating theories and interpreting data. This “solution” is offered by many of the contributors to this book. When this approach is illustrated with examples (e.g., in Chapter 5 by Tappan and Brown), however, the results appears

X6 Book Reviews

more like literary criticism than science, with interpreta- tion seen as more important that objective criteria.

An alternative solution to the issue of values in empirical research is to look for ways of limiting biases arising from value judgments. This approach receives short shrift in the present volume, as only one chapter (by Howard Kendler) is devoted to this solution. According to Kendler,

“The crucial question is not whether the scientist’s behavior is free of preconceptions. but whether his or her scientific observations can be detached from those inferences. Take the simple example of observing a rat at a choice point of a T-maze Regardless of an observer’s value judgments, theo- retical preconceptions, social beliefs, or any other predisposition. consensual agreement about the rat’s behavior will be guaranteed if a minimal commitment to natural science methodology is maintained (e.g., being honest and sober). Is the T- maze experimental paradigm representative of all possible research paradigms in behavioral psycho- logy? Yes, if clear ideas are combined with precise response measures” (Chapter 6, p. 140).

It is unlikely that Kendler’s perspective is so uncommon that it warrants only a single chapter. The imbalance in

presenting opposing perspectives may be a good example of the importance of editors’ values and predilections.

What does this book have to offer behavioral researchers and practitioners? The role of values in be- havioral research and therapy is a topic that falls outside the scope of this volume. The discussion of more general topics, such as the role of values in science, should be of interest to behavioral investigators. It is not surprising that much of the book is devoted to moral development. because definitions of “high” versus “low” levels of moral development are inherently value laden. Yet. with the exception of Kendler’s chapter. the book fails to confront the possibility that values may not play such an important role in other areas of psychology. In some areas (e.g., operant conditioning), values may influence one’s meta- theoretical assumptions (e.g., whether or not to emphasize empiricism), but may have little impact on other aspects of research, such as the interpretation of data.

STEVEN TAYLOR

Department of Psychiatry University of British Columbia Vancouver BC V6T 1W5 Canada

Treutrnent of Family Violence: A Sourcehook and Assessment of Family Violence: A Legal and Clinical Sourcebook

Edited by ROBERT T. AMMERMAN and MICHEL HERSEN John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1990, 1992

Books in which Michel Hersen plays an editorial part carry a distinctive imprimatur. The subject matter of his first editions, for instance, are typically so avant-garde that contributors mostly distinguish themselves by a collective ability to swim in the gray and accurately report back shoals which lay ahead. Treatment of Family Violence: A Sourcebook (1990) and Assessment of Family Violence: A Legal and Clinical Sourcehook (1992) - both edited by Robert T. Ammerman and Michel Hersen - are no exceptions to the rule. In the area of family violence, the editors have identified an especially egregious example of the profession’s cutting edge.

Since the “battered child syndrome” was first identified by Kempe, Silverman, Steele, Droegenmeuller, and Silver (1962) three decades ago. research into familial maltreat- ment has produced more heat than light. The key challenge, well-discussed in the present collections. is an inability of researchers from diverse disciplines and tradi- tions to agree upon an operational definition of maltreat- ment. This lack of consensus has negatively impacted reliability and, therefore, validity of the various assessment instruments detailed in these books. It has also widened the range of estimates for incidence of violence against

children, spouses and the elderly. Just as important to scientifically-minded practitioners, inconsistencies in de- finition have confounded current efforts to establish clinical sequelae to varying forms of abuse and neglect. and thwarted comparisons of outcome research. In the face of these difficulties, however, Ammerman and Hersen have succeeded admirably in assembling workable overviews of these diverse areas useful to student, clinician and resear- cher alike, fitted together seamlessly under a steady editorial hand.

Although Treatment of Family Violence and Assessment of Family Violence are companion texts. the former is more general and speaks to a broader professional audi- ence. Treatment of Farnil? Violence is a 437 page, 1X chapter reference book suitably organized for intensive study or the occasional thumb-through. Sandwiched bc- tween introductory and concluding remarks are 16 tightly reasoned chapters subsumed under three general rubrics: treatment of victims, perpetrators of maltreatment, and prevention of family violence. Chapters are further suh- divided into types of violence such that, for instance. a chapter in section one is dedicated to treating survivors of physical child abuse, a second in section two to treating its