Sample Topics:
Conceptual Elucidation

Click the citation titles below for the article abstract, and a link to the full text in PDF format, if available.

In order to avoid redundancy, many publications are not included below that focus primarily on pathology, case formulation, or psychotherapeutic policies and techniques. Please consult
“Sample Topics: Clinical and Therapy” for those papers.

 
Emotions

Bergner, R. (1983) Emotions: A conceptual formulation and its clinical implications. In K. Davis and R. Bergner (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 3, (pp. 209-227). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

Bergner, R.. (2003). Emotions: A relational view and its clinical applications. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 57, 471-490.

Ossorio, P.G. (1986/1997). Three minute lectures on emotion. In P.G. Ossorio, Essays on clinical topics. The collected works of Peter G. Ossorio, Vol. II, (pp. 99-128). Ann Arbor, MI. Descriptive Psychology Press. (Original work published 1986 as LRI Report No. 36a. Boulder, CO: Linguistic Research Institute.)

Ossorio, P.G. (1986/1997). More three minute lectures on emotion. In P.G. Ossorio, Essays on clinical topics. In The collected works of Peter G. Ossorio, Vol. II, (pp. 131-161). Ann Arbor, MI. Descriptive Psychology Press. (Original work published 1986 as LRI Report No. 36b. Boulder, CO: Linguistic Research Institute.)

Shideler, M. (1981). The lover and the logician. In K. Davis (Ed.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 1, (pp. 145-154). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

 
Humor

Littmann, J.R. (1983). A new formulation of humor. In K. Davis and R. Bergner (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 3, (pp. 183-207). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

 
Moral Competence

Holt S.B. (1990) Appraisal and competence in moral judgment and behavior. In K.E. Davis, (Ed.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology, Vol. 5, (pp. 173-197). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

 
Personal Identity and Self-Concept

Bergner, R., & Holmes, J. (2000). Self-concepts and self-concept change: A status dynamic formulation. Psychotherapy Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 37, 36-44.

Bergner, R. (2017). What is a person? What is the self? Formulations for a science of psychology. Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, 37, 77-90.

Putman, A.O. (1998). Being, becoming and Belonging. In H.J. Jeffrey and R.M. Bergner, (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology, Vol. 7, (pp. 127-160). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Roberts, M. (1982). Men and women: Partners, lovers, friends. In K. Davis and T. Mitchell (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 2, (pp. 57-58). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

Roberts, M. (1985). Worlds and world reconstruction. In K. Davis and T. Mitchell (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 4 (pp. 17-52). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

Roberts, M.K. (1992). Companions of uncertain status. In M.K. Roberts, & R.M. Bergner, (Eds.). Clinical Topics: Contributions to the Conceptualization and Treatment of Adolescent-Family Problems, Bulimia, Chronic Mental Illness, and Mania. Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 6, (pp. 33-77). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Roberts, M.K. (1992). On the Outside Looking In: A Conceptualization of Adolescence. In M.K. Roberts, & R.M. Bergner, (Eds.). Clinical Topics: Contributions to the Conceptualization and Treatment of Adolescent-Family Problems, Bulimia, Chronic Mental Illness, and Mania. Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 6, (pp. 79-105). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Roberts, M.K. (2006). Ancient Companions. In K. E. Davis, & R. M Bergner (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 8, (pp. 248-265). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Roberts, M.K. (2010). Worlds of Uncertain Status. In K. E. Davis, F. Lubuguin, & W. Schwartz (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol.9, (pp. 287-319). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Roberts, M.K. (2010). An accomplice’s tale. In K. E. Davis, F. Lubuguin, & W. Schwartz (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol.9, (pp. 161-190). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Wechsler, R.C. (2013). Trauma concepts: A descriptive psychological formulation of the nature of trauma and its consequences. In K.E. Davis, R.M. Bergner, F. Lubuguin, & W. Schwartz, (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol.10, (pp. 149-174). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

 
Judgment

Ossorio, P.G. (1990). Appraisal. In K.E. Davis, (Ed.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 5, (pp. 155-171). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

 
Reality

Colvin, G. (2006). Descriptive Metaphysics: On Science, Religion, and Wisdom. In K. E. Davis, & R. M Bergner (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 8, (pp. 227-246). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Roberts, M.K. (1992). Companions of uncertain status. In M.K. Roberts, & R.M. Bergner, (Eds.). Clinical Topics: Contributions to the Conceptualization and Treatment of Adolescent-Family Problems, Bulimia, Chronic Mental Illness, and Mania. Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 6, (pp. 33-77). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Roberts, M.K. (1998). Kuosawa’s relativity. In H.J. Jeffrey and R.M. Bergner, (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 7, (pp. 107-125). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Roberts, M.K. (2010). An indeterminate and expansive world. In K. E. Davis, F. Lubuguin, & W. Schwartz (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 9, (pp. 231-256). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Roberts, M.K. (2013). Knowing the world. In K.E. Davis, R.M. Bergner, F. Lubuguin, & W. Schwartz, (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol.10, (pp. 37-54). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Shideler, M.M. (1982) The creator and the discoverer. In K. Davis and T. Mitchell (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 2, (pp, 233-247). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

 
Individual Differences

Jeffrey, H.J. (1998). Consciousness, experience, and a Person’s world. In H.J. Jeffrey and R.M. Bergner, (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 7, (pp. 67-106). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Jeffrey, H.J. (1998). Cognition without processes. In H.J. Jeffrey and R.M. Bergner, (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 7, (pp. 33-66). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Bergner, R.M. (2006). Underlying Cognitive Processes or Private Social Practices? In K. E. Davis, & R. M Bergner (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 8 (pp. 175-194). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

 
Empathy

Schwartz, W. (2013). The parameters of empathy: Core considerations for psychotherapy and supervision. In K.E. Davis, R.M. Bergner, F. Lubuguin, & W. Schwartz, (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol.10, (pp. 197-212). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

 
Hypnosis

Plotkin, W., & Schwartz, W. (1982). A conceptualization of hypnosis: I. Exploring the place of appraisal and anomaly in behavior and experience. In K. Davis and T. Mitchell (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 2, (pp. 139-194). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

Plotkin, W., & Schwartz, W. (1985). A conceptualization of hypnosis: II. Hypnotic induction procedures and manifestations of the hypnotic state. In K. Davis and T. Mitchell (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 4 (pp. 75-98). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

 
Behavioral Economics

Jeffrey, H.J. (2010). Homo Communitatis: A rigorous foundation for behavioral finance.

Jeffrey, H.J. & Putman, A.O. (2013). The irrationality illusion: A new paradigm for economics and behavioral economics. The Journal of Behavioral Finance, 14:3, 161-194.

Jeffrey, H.J. & Putman, A.O. (2015). Probability in Behavioral Economics and Finance: A Radical Reformulation. The Journal of Behavioral Finance, 16(3), 231-249.

 
Multi-cultural Psychology

Aylesworth, L., & Ossorio, P. (1983). Refugees: Cultural displacement and its effects. In K. Davis and R. Bergner (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 3, (pp. 45-92). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

Lubuguin, F.S.A. (1998). The acculturation of culturally displaced persons. In H.J. Jeffrey and R.M. Bergner, (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 7, (pp. 1627-233). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Ossorio, P.G. (1982/1983). A multicultural psychology. In K.E. Davis & R.M. Bergner (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology, Vol. 3, (pp. 13-44). Greenwich, CN: JAI Press. (Original work published 1982 as LRI Report No. 29. Boulder, CO: Linguistic Research Institute.)

Silva, J. (1983). What actually happens to Jose: Chicano freshmen in a predominantly Anglo university. In K. Davis and R. Bergner (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 3, (pp. 119-145). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

Torres, W. (1983). Puerto Rican and Anglo conceptions of appropriate mental health services. In K. Davis and R. Bergner (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 3, (pp. 147-169). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

 
Sex Roles and Gender Identity

Allen, C. (2013). Gender as one’s eligibility to engage in social practices: Unpacking the relationship between masculinity and intimate partner violence. In K.E. Davis, R.M. Bergner, & F. Lubuguin, & W. Schwartz, (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol.10, (pp. 235-259). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press

Allen-Zeiger, C., & Allen, S. (1992). Doing it all isn’t everything: A woman’s guide to harmony and empowerment Austin, TX: New Perspectives Press.

Latham, C.A. (1990). A High Power – Low Power Account of Gender Differences in Self-Criticism. In K.E. Davis, (Ed.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 5, (pp. 237-259). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Sapin, C.R. & Forward, J.R. (1990). A status dynamic formulation of sex roles: Putting sex roles in their place. In K.E. Davis, (Ed.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 5, (pp. 215-236). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

 
Embodiment

Bergner, R. (2001). What is behavior? And so What? New Ideas in Psychology, 29, 147-€“155.

Bergner, R.M. (2004). Is it all really biological? Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, 24, 30-49.

Bergner, R.M. (2006). Underlying Cognitive Processes or Private Social Practices? In K. E. Davis, & R. M Bergner (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 8, (pp. 175-194). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Bergner, R.M. (2006). Can psychological science be replaced by biological science? In K. E. Davis, & R. M Bergner (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 8, (pp. 44-68). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Bergner, R. (2016). What is “behavior?” And why is it not reducible to biological states of affairs? Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, 36, 41-55.

Bergner, R. (2018). The case against the case against free will. Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, 38, 77-90.

Davis, K.E. (2008). Brains don’t think and organisms don’t create cultures or develop spontaneous languages. PsyCritiques, 53.

Jeffrey, H.J. (1981). A new paradigm for artificial intelligence. In K. Davis (Ed.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 1, (pp. 177-194). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

Jeffrey, H.J. (1998). Consciousness, experience, and a Person’s world. In H.J. Jeffrey and R.M. Bergner, (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 7, (pp. 67-106). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Ossorio, P. G. (1980/1982). Embodiment. In K.E. Davis & T.O. Mitchell (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology, Vol. 2, (pp. 11-32). Greenwich, CN: JAI Press.

Ossorio, P.G. (1992). Experience for robots? (ESI Report No. 1a). Boulder, CO: Ellery Systems, Inc.

Ossorio, P.G. (2010). Out of Nowhere: Thoughts and Thinking and World Reconstruction (Complete Version). In K. E. Davis, F. Lubuguin, & W. Schwartz (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol.9. (pp. 203-230). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Ossorio, P.G. (2010). Out of Nowhere: Thoughts and Thinking and World Reconstruction (Complete Version). In K. E. Davis, F. Lubuguin, & W. Schwartz (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol.9. (pp. 203-230). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Plotkin, W. (1981). Consciousness. In K. Davis (Ed.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 1, (pp. 211-237). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

Putman, A.O. (1990). Artificial persons. In K.E. Davis, (Ed.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 5, (pp. 81-103). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.

Schwartz, W. (1982). The problem of other possible persons: Dolphins, primates, and aliens. In K. Davis and T. Mitchell (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol. 2, (pp. 139-194). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.