On being useful
The nature and consequences of psychological research on social problems
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 8720904 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Nathan Caplan (0000-0003-3421-3744, corresponding author), Stephen D Nelson |
| Year | 1973 |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 199-211 |
| Publication date | 1973-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | American Psychologist (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0003-066X • E-ISSN: 1935-990X |
| Publisher | American Psychological Association (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1037/h0034433 |
| PMID | 4699940 |
| OpenAlex | W1969589908 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 158 |
| References cited | 2 |
The movement to make psychological research more relevant to social problems needs to avoid potential pitfalls and unanticipated negative consequence of moving the orientation of psychology into the public arena. The authors discuss social policy at the national level in terms of the tendency to hold individuals responsible for their problems, then explore the utility and applicability of psychological thought and research to social problems within this framework. Noting that, regardless of the type of problem and the intent of the investigator, the findings of psychologically oriented research lend themselves more easily to person-blame than to system-blame interpretations, they focus on the processes by which this takes place and the implications for problem subgroups, the profession, and society as a whole. 21 references, 1 table
Academic and Historical Perspectives in Psychology · Cognitive and psychological constructs research · Psychology · Social Representations and Identity · Social Psychology
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Perceptions of Female Offenders
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Traditions in the Social-Psychological Analysis of Race Relations
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Influence of behavioral and social science on public health policymaking
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Job satisfaction reconsidered
Speaking truth to power … or to the Ivory tower? Public affairs researchers’ reports of practitioners’ use of their research
Appreciating the Complexity of Local Gender-Based Violence Needs Assessments
Talking about drug use
A patologização da diversidade. Uma reflexão antropológica sobre a noção de culture-bound syndrome
New Product Adoption and Diffusion
In praise of paradox
Organizing for Government Intervention in Family Planning
Symptoms and Solutions
Invited Commentary
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Perception of Economic Distributive Justice
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American Indian historical trauma
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Commentaries on Prilleltensky and Nelson
Violence against women
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A preliminary conceptual analysis of the role of community psychology in australia
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Professional and academic training in organizational psychology
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A Problem-Oriented Reconceptualization of Public Opinion
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Intervention orientation
The Evolution of Epistemology and Concepts in an Iterative‐Generative Reflective Practice
Activity in the public interest
Confronting psychology's power
Seeking justice in the real world
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Community psychology and feminism
Research on Cross-Cultural Counselling and Psychotherapy
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| Unique citing works | 158 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 3,04 |
| Citation span | 1974 - 2025 (52) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | Yes |
| Citation types | Neutral: 156 |