Guidelines for cognitive behavioral training within doctoral psychology programs in the United States: report of the Inter-organizational Task Force on Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology Doctoral Education.

The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies initiated an interorganizational task force to develop guidelines for integrated education and training in cognitive and behavioral psychology at the doctoral level in the United States. Fifteen task force members representing 16 professional associations participated in a year-long series of conferences, and developed a consensus on optimal doctoral education and training in cognitive and behavioral psychology. The recommendations assume solid foundational training that is typical within applied psychology areas such as clinical and counseling psychology programs located in the United States.

Introduction to the special section from recent Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers (APAHC) programs.

The Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers (APAHC) offers programming at the annual American Psychological Association (APA) conventions as well as periodic APAHC conferences. Participants from academic health centers across the country convened in St. Louis, Missouri, October 15-17, 2009, for the 4th National Conference of the Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers (APAHC).

Interview vs. paper-and-pencil administration of the McGill Pain Questionnaire.

In a 2 x 2 design, college student subjects described one of two levels of cold pressor pain (threshold or tolerance) with the McGill Pain Questionnaire administered via one of two modes (interview or paper-and-pencil). Interview administration was associated with higher scores on 5 of the 6 MPQ scores calculated. Data did not support the notion that this effect is entirely attributable to increased probability of interviewed subjects' endorsement of descriptors for which clarification of meaning was sought.

Sensitivity of the McGill Pain Questionnaire to intensity and quality of laboratory pain.

Subjects completed a modified McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) to describe one of two laboratory stressors (cold pressor or electrical tooth pulp stimulation) at one of two subjective intensities (pain threshold or pain tolerance). Differences in MPQ-derived scores were associated with both type of stressor and intensity level, as were patterns of frequently chosen word groups and specific words. These data support the validity of interpretations drawn from MPQ differences in clinical practice and research.