Faculty Bibliography

We propose a new way to describe affordances for action. Previous characterizations of affordances treat action possibilities as binary categories-either possible or impossible-separated by a critical point. Here, we show that affordances are probabilistic functions, thus accounting for variability in motor performance. By measuring an affordance function, researchers can describe the likelihood of success for every unit of the environment. We demonstrate how to fit an affordance function to performance data using established psychophysical procedures and illustrate how the threshold and variability parameters describe different possibilities for action. Finally, we discuss the implications of probabilistic affordances for development, perception, and decision-making.

This editorial presents an overview of the two books discussed in the issue Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. The first book is about fighting stigma that argues against several myths. It is important to keep debates around stigma alive and to investigate the myths and realities of stigma, rather than just assuming that stigma is an all-powerful force, that we are necessarily bound to our patients with a shared stigma, or that it explains more than it really does. The second book examines treatment for a behavior that has been imbued with all the hallmarks of stigma, including shame and secrecy.

This article provides an overview of the books featured in the present issue of Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry book forum section. The books encounter some of the challenges that come with moving a unique identity into a diagnostic construct. Feng Liu reviews a book about evaluating and assessing autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which is how we as professional caregivers move individuals into a group. Janella Hong takes us in a different direction, looking at a book that explores identity from within a group whose members often found meaning by being part of that group; this particular book quickly became significantly dated, not because the experiences it describes belong to a different era, but because formally, in certain circles, that group vanished and became part of another group. Finally, Aaron Roberto reviews a novel about an adolescent with ASD who works "in the real world, " imaginative literature with a poignant message about how a child with an ASD might find it difficult to become the next Tommy Hilfiger. Three books, 3 genres, all of which explore the relationship of the individual to the group.

This editorial briefs the articles featured in section "Book Forum" of this issue of Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. One of the books is about trichotillomania, skin picking, and other body focused repetitive disorders with a wonderfully vivid image of professional life as a type of constant repetitious act, always in (comic) motion. The other one is about medications: specifically, a book about adverse effects. The list of potential adverse effects grows with every new case report, letter to the editor, or revelation that a drug that was not supposed to cause a particular side effect actually does.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) is revamping the access, quality, and financing of the health and mental health systems. However, its impact on training and education in clinical psychology is unclear. This article aims to identify specific components of the ACA, in particular the Mental and Behavioral Health Education and Training Grants, that are expected to affect training and education in the field. The article further connects the ACA with four paradigm shifts in clinical psychology that have broad implications for training and educationevidence-based practices, research methodology, interprofessionalism, and the quality indicator movement. The overarching goal of this article is to begin timely discussions on the future directions of the field under the current healthcare reform.