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Article 1: Gonzalez, G. (July 1979). The Historical Development of the Concept of Intelligence. Review of radical political economics, 11(2), 44-54.

Abstract: In the historical development of capitalism differing conceptions of the foundations for social classes appear. During the phase of competitive capitalism, faculty psychology dominated the thinking of theoreticians. Its principal postulate was that industriousness socially categorized individuals but that the human mind was more or less equally perceptive. In the period of monopoly capitalism an entirely new ideological conception of social relations arose. That conception was intelligence, a central theme within the pragmatism of James and Dewey. Intelligence was intended to dissolve the class struggle which intensified in the period of monopoly capitalism. The essence of intelligence is an inwardlooking individualism that negated struggle as the basis for social change. Instead, intelligence postulated the irrationality of attempting to change society since society was nothing more than a sum total of an innate character, intelligence. Lastly, intelligence was an ideological form that reflected the social relations of production. As such the practical application of the ideological concept, i.e., I.Q. testing, reinforced a consciousness corresponding to monopoly capitalist society.

Questions that apply to this article:

1. What are some criticisms of intelligence testing?
2. The article discusses several different theories and definitions of intelligence. Which do you agree most with?
3. Compare and contrast the psychology of William James and John Dewey.
    

Article 2: Nakash, O. & Alegría, M. (January 2013). Examination of the Role of Implicit Clinical Judgments During the Mental Health Intake. Qualitative health research, 23(5), 645-654.

Abstract: We examined the characteristics of therapists’ implicit clinical judgments during the mental health intake. Following the intake sessions with new clients, we conducted 129 semistructured interviews with 47 therapists. We found that 82% of therapists and 75% of interviews included reference to implicit clinical judgments. Therapists referred to these judgments as a cognitive process that relied on knowledge acquired through past clinical experiences and was primarily based on nonverbal cues and affective communication. Therapists used implicit processes when evaluating how to facilitate a good working alliance, what diagnostic information to collect, and how to decide on a diagnosis. The majority of therapists described elements of good rapport, such as being listened to, as central for a positive outcome of the intake. We concluded that implicit clinical judgments were vital to allow therapists to integrate the plethora of information from different channels of communication they collect during the intake.

Questions that apply to this article:

1. If you were a clinical psychology, which interview style would you prefer to use? Why?
2. What are the most important aspects of the clinical interview?
3. Discuss some of the issues that clinical psychologists face when making clinical judgments during the mental health intake.