Twelve Years of Correspondence With Paul Meehl : Tough Notes From a Gentle Genius

In 1996 Division 12 of the APA presented Centennial Awards to two psychologists who were considered to have made the greatest lifetime contributions to the discipline. One of those individuals was Paul Meehl. Dr. Meehl's writings on research methodology and mental illness influenced generations of researchers and psychotherapists. Twelve Years of Correspondence With Paul Meehl is composed mainly of letters between Drs. Paul Meehl and Donald Peterson during the final 12 years of Meehl's life. After Meehl's death, Dr. Peterson revisited their correspondence, and found a remarkable order in it. One topic flowed into another. With some connective, explanatory text, the letters shaped themselves into a book. The correspondence forms a story of the relationship between an extraordinary mentor and his student, as well as a dialogue between two eminent psychologists. The letters explore penetrating questions, and underlying arguments, about some of the most recalcitrant issues that scientists and practitioners encounter in their efforts to understand the human condition. Paul Meehl contributed notably to seven areas: philosophy of science, learning, schizophrenia, clinical and research training, personality assessment, taxometrics, and clinical versus statistical prediction. The letters touch on each of these areas and examine some issues more thoroughly than either Meehl or Peterson had done in any other writings. The book includes an extensive set of endnotes that identify the many works that are referred to in the letters as well as explanatory comments. This intimate look at Paul Meehl's way of thinking will appeal to graduate students and professionals in such diverse fields as psychology, psychiatry, biology, sociology, law, education, and philosophy. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Introduction 1 Meekl ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS 2 Hermeneutics From the Desk of P.E. Meehl APPENDIX 3 Kudos and Confusions From the Desk of P. E. Meehl 4 Prizewinners, Perils, and Parapraxes 5 Morality Addendum 6 Peterson's Sermon The Phylogeny of Prejudice 7 Meehl's Response to Campbell From the Desk of Paul E. Meehl 8 Selling an Unpopular Book five, including Paul Meehl, but commented as follows in thr letter that named them Then I let a few weeks go by and wrote to meehl 9 Discovery and Justification 10 Constructionism, Realism, and Intellectual Honesty 11 Reconciling Differences 12 Social Experience and Social Conscience 13 Meehl's Constructionism 14 Politics and Politicians, Psychotherapy and Psychotherapists, Paleontology and Paleontologists And Meehl responed In August, I wrote Meehl had underlined the "topics," and wrote, in the margin of the announcement and in his letter In a brief following note, Paul asked Meehl's comment on this was that 15 Factor Analysis Meehl enclosed an article entitled "Four Queries About Factor Reality" that began with the following remarks 16 History and Historians 17 The Scientific Mentality 18 Meehl's Scientism 19 Farewell Notes Author Index Subject Index Twelve Years Of Correspondence Is Composed Mainly Of Letters Between Drs. Paul Meehl And Donald R. Peterson During The Final 12 Years Of Meehl's Life. Peterson Was One Of Meehl's Earliest Phd Students And The Two Corresponded Throughout Their Careers. After Meehl's Death, Dr. Peterson Revisited Their Correspondence And Found A Remarkable Order In It. One Topic Flowed Into Another. With Some Connective, Explanatory Text, The Letters Shaped Themselves Into A Book. The Correspondence Forms A Story Of The Relationship Between An Extraordinary Mentor And His Student, As Well As A Dialogue Between Two Eminent Clinical Psychologists.--jacket. Donald R. Peterson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 172-185) And Index. Peterson sees his correspondence with Paul Meehl as a privilege and would like to give others a chance to see the intellectual sparkle, erudition, human kindness, and moral passion that Paul Meehl brought to his everyday exchanges.