At the center of narrow evolutionary psychology's theory lies the assumption that many human behavioral mechanisms evolved via natural selection. Although some components of this theory are falsifiable, its Lakatosian framework protects its core assumptions from falsifiability, even though most human behaviors probably do not require evolutionary explanations. Crucially, falsifiability is a necessary but insufficient quality of a good scientific theory, and the value of narrow evolutionary psychology can be questioned on other grounds. Narrow evolutionary psychology holds that only natural selection can create complex, functional adaptations, but natural selection is not a creative force; this process merely functions as a sieve that influences phenotype frequencies in descendant populations. Instead, only developmental processes can create the adaptations observed in individuals. Evolutionary explanations for behaviors will always be less useful than developmental explanations, given the context-dependent, emergent, and plastic nature of development. Evolutionary explanations will often be superfluous. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
{"title":"Components of evolutionary psychology are falsifiable, but does that make it a good theory? Commentary on Costello et al. (2026).","authors":"David S Moore","doi":"10.1037/amp0001557","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001557","url":null,"abstract":"At the center of narrow evolutionary psychology's theory lies the assumption that many human behavioral mechanisms evolved via natural selection. Although some components of this theory are falsifiable, its Lakatosian framework protects its core assumptions from falsifiability, even though most human behaviors probably do not require evolutionary explanations. Crucially, falsifiability is a necessary but insufficient quality of a good scientific theory, and the value of narrow evolutionary psychology can be questioned on other grounds. Narrow evolutionary psychology holds that only natural selection can create complex, functional adaptations, but natural selection is not a creative force; this process merely functions as a sieve that influences phenotype frequencies in descendant populations. Instead, only developmental processes can create the adaptations observed in individuals. Evolutionary explanations for behaviors will always be less useful than developmental explanations, given the context-dependent, emergent, and plastic nature of development. Evolutionary explanations will often be superfluous. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).","PeriodicalId":48468,"journal":{"name":"American Psychologist","volume":"74 1","pages":"29-32"},"PeriodicalIF":16.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146072959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Katz and Franz (2026) discussed the need for concept clarification within many areas of psychology, focusing on problems in conceptualizing the experience of awe. They pointed out that more than three fourths of the research they examined on awe has been based on just one theoretical approach, which we see as quite limiting despite its widespread adoption. Some flaws with this dominant approach to awe are discussed, and an alternative based on the transpersonal framework of self-expansiveness, which would be more inclusive and holistic, is proposed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
{"title":"The concept of awe and the construct of transpersonal self-expansiveness: Commentary on Katz and Franz (2026).","authors":"Harris L Friedman,Ed Bonner","doi":"10.1037/amp0001618","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001618","url":null,"abstract":"Katz and Franz (2026) discussed the need for concept clarification within many areas of psychology, focusing on problems in conceptualizing the experience of awe. They pointed out that more than three fourths of the research they examined on awe has been based on just one theoretical approach, which we see as quite limiting despite its widespread adoption. Some flaws with this dominant approach to awe are discussed, and an alternative based on the transpersonal framework of self-expansiveness, which would be more inclusive and holistic, is proposed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).","PeriodicalId":48468,"journal":{"name":"American Psychologist","volume":"2 1","pages":"123-125"},"PeriodicalIF":16.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This commentary on Rubenstein et al. (2024) appreciates how they advance the debate on exposure therapy and best practices in posttraumatic stress disorder treatment. Their historical analysis, though, points to a way forward they fail to explore-reconceptualizing exposure as transtheoretical approach. This reconceptualization shows that diverse theoretical traditions converge on exposure/approach clinical practices, which should bolster our confidence in these interventions. Moreover, this reconceptualization could help address issues with provider uptake and patient dropout. Rubenstein and colleagues also miss that prolonged exposure contains opportunities for therapeutic memory reconsolidation through processing and that non-trauma-focused therapies do not offer patients the opportunity to process and change trauma-specific, maladaptive, posttraumatic cognitions in the ways that approach-based treatments do. Finally, it is argued that Rubenstein and colleagues' discussion of dropout in exposure and possible uses of non-trauma-focused treatments could be better grounded in (a) meta-analytic results, which find comparatively similar dropout rates among trauma-focused treatments, and (b) major treatment guidelines, which support approach-based treatments as frontline options. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
{"title":"Exposure reconceptualized as transtheoretical approach: Commentary on Rubenstein et al. (2024).","authors":"Keith S Cox","doi":"10.1037/amp0001425","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001425","url":null,"abstract":"This commentary on Rubenstein et al. (2024) appreciates how they advance the debate on exposure therapy and best practices in posttraumatic stress disorder treatment. Their historical analysis, though, points to a way forward they fail to explore-reconceptualizing exposure as transtheoretical approach. This reconceptualization shows that diverse theoretical traditions converge on exposure/approach clinical practices, which should bolster our confidence in these interventions. Moreover, this reconceptualization could help address issues with provider uptake and patient dropout. Rubenstein and colleagues also miss that prolonged exposure contains opportunities for therapeutic memory reconsolidation through processing and that non-trauma-focused therapies do not offer patients the opportunity to process and change trauma-specific, maladaptive, posttraumatic cognitions in the ways that approach-based treatments do. Finally, it is argued that Rubenstein and colleagues' discussion of dropout in exposure and possible uses of non-trauma-focused treatments could be better grounded in (a) meta-analytic results, which find comparatively similar dropout rates among trauma-focused treatments, and (b) major treatment guidelines, which support approach-based treatments as frontline options. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).","PeriodicalId":48468,"journal":{"name":"American Psychologist","volume":"31 1","pages":"112-114"},"PeriodicalIF":16.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146072955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
As nicely explained by Costello et al. (2026), evolution provides a powerful metatheory for more fully understanding many traits and phenomena that are of interest to psychologists. I add to their thoughtful discussion by elaborating on how Darwin's sexual selection-competition for mates and discriminating mate choices-provides a heuristic for understanding sex differences and can be used to generate predictions about how the magnitude of these differences can vary across time and place. The basic prediction is that reductions in disease burden, nutritional deficits, and intense social conflict and gains in personal freedom will result in an increase in the magnitude of many sex differences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
{"title":"Biological and cultural influences on the expression of sex differences: Commentary on Costello et al. (2026).","authors":"David C Geary","doi":"10.1037/amp0001554","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001554","url":null,"abstract":"As nicely explained by Costello et al. (2026), evolution provides a powerful metatheory for more fully understanding many traits and phenomena that are of interest to psychologists. I add to their thoughtful discussion by elaborating on how Darwin's sexual selection-competition for mates and discriminating mate choices-provides a heuristic for understanding sex differences and can be used to generate predictions about how the magnitude of these differences can vary across time and place. The basic prediction is that reductions in disease burden, nutritional deficits, and intense social conflict and gains in personal freedom will result in an increase in the magnitude of many sex differences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).","PeriodicalId":48468,"journal":{"name":"American Psychologist","volume":"85 1","pages":"25-28"},"PeriodicalIF":16.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146072958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This is a reply to commentaries by Bridges et al. (2026), Cox (2026), Fung et al. (2026), and McLean and Wiltsey-Stirman (2026) on the authors' original work titled "To Expose or Not to Expose: A Comprehensive Perspective on Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder" (Rubenstein et al., 2024). Their work provides insightful challenges and contributions in three areas: (1) a necessary corrective regarding our perspective on prolonged exposure therapy, (2) the transtheoretical nature of exposure, and (3) the importance of interpersonal and cultural factors in posttraumatic stress disorder. The authors are grateful for this opportunity to further dialogue about ways to improve upon existing models of trauma and its treatment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
{"title":"Finding common ground on conceptualization and treatment: Reply to Bridges et al. (2026), Cox (2026), Fung et al. (2026), and McLean and Wiltsey-Stirman (2026).","authors":"Arielle Rubenstein,Jennifer Doran,Or Duek,Ilan Harpaz-Rotem","doi":"10.1037/amp0001638","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001638","url":null,"abstract":"This is a reply to commentaries by Bridges et al. (2026), Cox (2026), Fung et al. (2026), and McLean and Wiltsey-Stirman (2026) on the authors' original work titled \"To Expose or Not to Expose: A Comprehensive Perspective on Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder\" (Rubenstein et al., 2024). Their work provides insightful challenges and contributions in three areas: (1) a necessary corrective regarding our perspective on prolonged exposure therapy, (2) the transtheoretical nature of exposure, and (3) the importance of interpersonal and cultural factors in posttraumatic stress disorder. The authors are grateful for this opportunity to further dialogue about ways to improve upon existing models of trauma and its treatment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).","PeriodicalId":48468,"journal":{"name":"American Psychologist","volume":"5 1","pages":"121-122"},"PeriodicalIF":16.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073128","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This commentary considers some of the issues raised by Rubenstein et al. (2024) using the framework of shared decision making and suggests next steps for research that will improve our ability to identify treatment approaches that will best support individual recovery. We highlight points of agreement with the authors, including the importance of treatment acceptability, but underscore the importance of simultaneously considering the strength of evidence for different treatments during shared decision making. Further research on emerging nontrauma-focused treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder is warranted, as is further research on adaptations and refinements to exposure therapy and trauma-focused treatment that demonstrate good clinical outcomes and acceptability. We also suggest that better assessment of trauma characteristics in clinical research may advance our understanding of prognostic treatment factors and our ability to predict which treatments will work best for which individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder and provide valuable information for the shared decision-making process. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
{"title":"Key considerations for patient choice and development of alternatives: Commentary on Rubenstein et al. (2024).","authors":"Carmen P McLean,Shannon Wiltsey-Stirman","doi":"10.1037/amp0001546","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001546","url":null,"abstract":"This commentary considers some of the issues raised by Rubenstein et al. (2024) using the framework of shared decision making and suggests next steps for research that will improve our ability to identify treatment approaches that will best support individual recovery. We highlight points of agreement with the authors, including the importance of treatment acceptability, but underscore the importance of simultaneously considering the strength of evidence for different treatments during shared decision making. Further research on emerging nontrauma-focused treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder is warranted, as is further research on adaptations and refinements to exposure therapy and trauma-focused treatment that demonstrate good clinical outcomes and acceptability. We also suggest that better assessment of trauma characteristics in clinical research may advance our understanding of prognostic treatment factors and our ability to predict which treatments will work best for which individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder and provide valuable information for the shared decision-making process. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).","PeriodicalId":48468,"journal":{"name":"American Psychologist","volume":"82 1","pages":"118-120"},"PeriodicalIF":16.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146072957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Recently, Rubenstein et al. (2024) published an article in American Psychologist providing a comprehensive review of psychological theories that underpin clinical applications and practices for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. The article highlights the roles that both trauma-focused and nontrauma-focused treatments can play in the recovery journey of trauma survivors. In this commentary, we further discuss the benefits and roles of nontrauma-focused interventions, such as acceptance and commitment therapy and social-interpersonal interventions. While trauma-focused exposure therapy remains an evidence-based approach, it is essential to recognize the diverse needs of trauma survivors and develop and evaluate other intervention approaches. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
最近，Rubenstein et al.（2024）在《美国心理学家》上发表了一篇文章，全面回顾了创伤后应激障碍治疗的临床应用和实践基础心理学理论。这篇文章强调了创伤治疗和非创伤治疗在创伤幸存者的康复过程中所起的作用。在这篇评论中，我们进一步讨论了非创伤干预的好处和作用，如接受和承诺治疗和社会-人际干预。虽然以创伤为重点的暴露疗法仍然是一种基于证据的方法，但认识到创伤幸存者的不同需求并开发和评估其他干预方法是必不可少的。（PsycInfo数据库记录(c) 2026 APA，版权所有）。
{"title":"There is no one-size-fits-all in the treatment of trauma-related disorders: Commentary on Rubenstein et al. (2024).","authors":"Hong Wang Fung,Edward K S Wang,Janet Yuen-Ha Wong","doi":"10.1037/amp0001553","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001553","url":null,"abstract":"Recently, Rubenstein et al. (2024) published an article in American Psychologist providing a comprehensive review of psychological theories that underpin clinical applications and practices for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. The article highlights the roles that both trauma-focused and nontrauma-focused treatments can play in the recovery journey of trauma survivors. In this commentary, we further discuss the benefits and roles of nontrauma-focused interventions, such as acceptance and commitment therapy and social-interpersonal interventions. While trauma-focused exposure therapy remains an evidence-based approach, it is essential to recognize the diverse needs of trauma survivors and develop and evaluate other intervention approaches. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).","PeriodicalId":48468,"journal":{"name":"American Psychologist","volume":"8 1","pages":"115-117"},"PeriodicalIF":16.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146073124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Vineyard at Volpaia by Catherine Renzi","authors":"","doi":"10.1037/amp0001613","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001613","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48468,"journal":{"name":"American Psychologist","volume":"156 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":16.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145770931","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Acknowledgment of Ad Hoc Reviewers","authors":"","doi":"10.1037/amp0001628","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001628","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48468,"journal":{"name":"American Psychologist","volume":"155 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":16.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145770933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Richard Stephens, Harry Dowber, Christopher Richardson, Nicholas B. Washmuth
{"title":"“Don't hold back”: Swearing improves strength through state disinhibition.","authors":"Richard Stephens, Harry Dowber, Christopher Richardson, Nicholas B. Washmuth","doi":"10.1037/amp0001650","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001650","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48468,"journal":{"name":"American Psychologist","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":16.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145770932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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