Department of Applied Psychology

Samuel Juni

Professor of Applied Psychology

Samuel Juni

Phone: (212) 998 5548
Email:

Are you curious about peculiar behavior of allegedly normal people? Do you have a healthy respect for psychometrics, Freud, and psychopathology, and a nagging belief in the supernatural? Dr. Juni's lab may be the cure for some of your problems and the beginning of many new ones.

Research areas investigated in the lab typically include: Psychometrics, Projective Testing, and Social Behavior. Instruments are developed and validated as part of the projects. Studies are underway in Marital Satisfaction, Racial Identity, Drug Addiction, Emotional Intelligence, Ego Functioning, and Lying/Cheating. Each study involves empirical data collection, statistical analyses, and write-ups.

Research Teams

Our research teams include a mix of post-doctoral, doctoral, masters, and undergraduate students, from NYU and from other universities. Team members are generally self-motivated individuals who work well alone and are used to meeting deadlines without detailed oversight. By definition, our team members must be able to work well with other team members, and have a respect for conceptual analysis and for empirical study, especially as these are informed by research design and statistical analyses.

In terms of perspective, our team members are people who are curious about their environment, come with a psychodynamic orientation in conceptualizing behavior, and have a dogged belief in empiricism. Intelligence is a definite pre-requisite. Although general knowledge of research design is preferred, students can expect to learn design and data analysis as part of their research training, with the expectation that they will excel in SPSS by the time they complete a study.

Currently, all of our research openings are unfunded. However, entrepreneurial students who are interested in grant writing are encouraged to join a research team which intends to look for funding. They can expect to get the assistance from other team members in such efforts.

Research Teams in Formation: Current Openings

The effects of printed language choice on propaganda, persuasion, and communication in bilingual contexts.

Validation & Standardization of a DSM-IV based Defense Mechanism Inventory 

Studies in Cognitive Algorithms of Matrix Reasoning Intelligence: Conceptual and Empirical Analyses

Studies in Tone Deafness: Operational Measurement and Aesthetic and Personality Correlates

Studies in Color Blindness: Operational Measurement and Aesthetic and Personality Correlates


The effects of printed language choice on propaganda, persuasion, and communication in bilingual contexts.

Needed: At least one team member with access to a culture / country / group which uses two languages. (Alternatively, countries where people use two types of alphabet to write the same language may also be suitable for this study.) Examples include countries where specific people speak two languages, or immigrant communities in the USA where people are bilingual.

The study will involve distributing editorials printed in different languages, along with questions about the texts, as well as demographic / political / social questions about the respondents. Each editorial will be followed by questions about clarity of argument, bias, humor, respect for the reader, inflammatory style, and social / moral sensitivity, Data analysis will examine differential reactions to the texts.

Research Team responsibilities will include:

  1. Literature review
  2. Writing the Proposal
  3. Preparing the submission for Ethical Review
  4. Collection of Data
  5. Coding the Data
  6. Data Analysis with SPSS
  7. Writing up the final project for Publication


Validation & Standardization of a DSM-IV based Defense Mechanism Inventory

 

We have contructed a Defnse Mechanism Inventory using experts in personality theory. The inventory features two items for each of the DSM-IV Defenses.

The study will involve the administration of the inventory to a large group of respondents, and a test-retst administration to a smaller group, to allow for reliability analyses. In addition, content validation will be assessed by asking profesisonals to define the defense for each of the inventory items.

Research Team responsibilities will include:
  1. Literature review
  2. Collection of Data
  3. Coding the Data
  4. Data Analysis with SPSS
  5. Writing up the final project for Publication

Studies in Cognitive Algorithms of Matrix Reasoning Intelligence: Conceptual and Empirical Analyses

(Note: Team members may opt to participate in either Phase A, or Phase B, or both.)

This is a logical analysis project detailing the solutions and algorithms which are implicit in solving visual matrix problems. The project will begin with the various sets of the Raven Progressive Matrices and continue with the Matrix Reasoning items of the Wechsler Intelligence Tests.

Based on these algorithms, an a prori hierarchy will be spelled out for the relative difficulty of problems in these tests (Phase A). These hierarchies (which may well differ from those specified by the respective test authors) will then be tested using archival data sets and / or protocols to be collected from volunteers or clients at Mental Health Clinics (Phase B).

Phase A: Research Team responsibilities will include:

  1. Literature review
  2. Analyzing Logical Algorithms and Heuristics for Items
  3. Writing up the final project for Publication

Phase B: Research Team responsibilities will include:

  1. Writing the Proposal
  2. Preparing the submission for Ethical Review
  3. Collecting Archival or Actual Client Raven and Wechsler Data,
  4. Data Analysis with SPSS
  5. Writing up the final project for Publication

Studies in Tone Deafness: Operational Measurement and Aesthetic and Personality Correlates

(Note: Team members may opt to participate in either Phase A, or Phase B, or both.)

Phase A: This will be a cross-disciplinary study which will focus first on measuring (and standardizing, if necessary) tone deafness, both audiologically and subjectively. Different foci will include inaccuracies in --  a) perceiving (or recognizing) differential tones, and b) producing differential tones. Existing instruments will be evaluated, and / or (if needed) designed and validated.

Research Team responsibilities will include:

  1. Literature review
  2. Designing Instrumentation (if needed)
  3. Writing the Proposal
  4. Preparing the submission for Ethical Review
  5. Collection of Standardization Data
  6. Coding the Data
  7. Data Analysis with SPSS
  8. Writing up the final project for Publication

Phase B: This study will examine whether tone deafness correlates with personality and / or generalizes to deficits in other areas of aesthetics. Personality foci will include alienation and object relations, with the hypothesis that limitations in richness of experience affect relationships. Aesthetic correlates will focus primarily on the appreciation of various forms of art.

Research Team responsibilities will include:

  1. Literature review
  2. Locating Measures of Art Appreciation
  3. Writing the Proposal
  4. Preparing the submission for Ethical Review
  5. Collection of Data
  6. Coding the Data
  7. Data Analysis with SPSS
  8. Writing up the final project for Publication

Studies in Color Blindness: Operational Measurement and Aesthetic and Personality Correlates

(Note: Team members may opt to participate in either Phase A, or Phase B, or both.)

Phase A: This will be a cross-disciplinary study which will focus first on measuring color blindness, both visuo-perceptually and subjectively. Different foci will include inaccuracies in perceiving (or recognizing) different colors. Existing instruments will be evaluated.

Research Team responsibilities will include:

  1. Literature review
  2. Designing Instrumentation (if needed)
  3. Writing the Proposal
  4. Preparing the submission for Ethical Review
  5. Collection of Standardization data
  6. Coding the Data
  7. Data Analysis with SPSS
  8. Writing up the final project for Publication

Phase B: This study will examine whether color blindness correlates with personality and / or generalizes to deficits in other areas of aesthetics. Personality foci will include alienation and object relations, with the hypothesis that limitations in richness of experience affect relationships. Aesthetic correlates will focus primarily on the appreciation of various forms of art.

Research Team responsibilities will include:

  1. Literature review
  2. Locating Measures of Music Appreciation
  3. Writing the Proposal
  4. Preparing the submission for Ethical Review
  5. Collection of Data
  6. Coding the Data
  7. Data Analysis with SPSS
  8. Writing up the final project for Publication

 


Publications

  • Juni, S. (1979). Theoretical foundations of projection as a defense mechanism. International Review of Psychoanalysis, 6, 115-130
  • Juni, S. (1981). Maintaining anonymity vs. requesting feedback as function of oral dependency. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 52, 239-242.
  • Juni, S. (1980). Classical projection: A critique of experimental methodologies. Genetic Psychology Monographs, 101, 119-146.
  • Juni, S., Masling, J., & Brannon, R. (1979). Interpersonal touch and orality. Journal of Personality Assessment, 45, 235-237.
  • Bernstein, S., Juni, S., et al. (1980). The effects of stimulus significance on the electrodermal response in chronic schizophrenia. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 89, 93-97.
  • Koenig, E. J., & Juni, S. (1981). Attitudes toward policewomen: A study of interrelationships and determinants. Journal of Police Science and Administration, 9, 463-474.
  • Juni, S. (1980). The use of splitting in the analysis of childhood schizophrenia. American Journal of Psychoanalysis, 40, 85-88.
  • Juni, S., & Masling, J. (1980). Reaction to aggression and the Defense Mechanism Inventory. Journal of Personality Assessment, 44, 484-486.
  • Juni, S. (1980). The stigma of mental illness as a cultural phenomenon: A study of schizophrenia in the orthodox Jewish family. Family therapy, 7, 223-236.
  • Juni, S. (1980). Reaction formation and over-control in enuresis. American Journal of Psychoanalysis
  • Juni, S. (1981). Career choice and orality. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 19, 78-83.
  • Juni, S., & Brannon, R. (1981). Interpersonal touching as a function of status and sex. Journal of Social Psychology, 114, 135-136.
  • Juni, S., & Hershkowitz, T. (1981). Interpersonal looking as a function of status, self-esteem and sex. Psychological Reports, 48, 273-274.
  • Juni, S. (1981) Theoretical foundations of reaction formation as a defense mechanism. Genetic Psychology Monographs, 104, 107-133.
  • Bernstein, S., Starkey, P., Taylor, K., Juni, S., et al. (1981). Bilateral skill conductance, finger pulse volume, and EEG orienting response to tones of differing intensities in chronic schizophrenics and controls. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 8, 513-528.
  • Juni, S., & Frenz, A. (1981). Psychosexual fixation and perceptual defense. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 52, 83-99.
  • Fischer, R.E., & Juni, S. (1981). Anality: A theory of erotism and characterology. American Journal of Psychoanalysis, 41, 57-71.
  • Juni, S., & Yanishefsky, D.S. (1981). Disgust and preoedipal fixation. Social Behavior and Personality, 10, 63-64.
  • Juni, S., & Roth, M.R. (1981). Sexism and handicapism in inter-personal helping. Journal of Social Psychology, 115, 175-181.
  • Juni, S. (1982). Humor preference as a function of preoedipal fixation. Social Behavior and Personality, 16, 193-200.
  • Juni, S. (1982). The composite measure of the Defense Mechanism Inventory. Journal of Research in Personality, 16, 193-200.
  • Juni, S., & Koenig, E.J. (1982). Contingency validity as a requirement in forced-choice item construction. Measurement and Evaluation in Guidance, 14, 202-207.
  • Juni, S., & Rubenstein, V. (1982). Anality and routine. Journal of Personality Assessment, 46, 142.
  • Fischer, R.E., & Juni, S. (1982). The anal personality: Self-disclosure, negativism, self-esteem, and superego severity. Journal of Personality Assessment, 46, 50-58.
  • Juni, S. (1982). Anal erotism and anal characterology. Social Behavior and Personality, 10, 39-40.
  • Juni, S., & Semel, S.R. (1982). Person perception as a function of orality and anality. Journal of Social Psychology, 118, 99-103.
  • Juni, S. (1982). Use of defense orientation construct as a predictor of acceptance of feedback. Psychological Reports, 50, 1215-1218.
  • Juni, S. (1982). On the conceptualization and treatment of catatonia. American Journal of Psychoanalysis, 42, 327-334.
  • Koenig, E.J., & Juni, S. (1982). Letters: Content validity and the courts. APA Monitor, 13, #5.
  • Bernstein, A.S., Taylor, K. W., Juni, S., et al. (1983). The effects of prolonged stimulus repetition on autonomic responses and EEG activity in normal subjects, schizophrenic and non-schizophrenic patients. Psychophysiology, 20, 332-342.
  • Juni, S., & Yanishevsky, D.S. (1983). Defensive style: State or trait? Journal of Personality Assessment, 71, 619-634.
  • Juni, S. (1983). Food preference and orality. Psychological Reports, 52, 842.
  • Juni, S. (1984). Psychosexual development as a process of equilibration. Psychoanalytic Review, 71, 619-634.
  • Juni, S. (1984). The psychodynamics of disgust. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 144, 203-208.
  • Brannon, R., & Juni, S. (1984). A scale for measuring attitudes about masculinity. Psychological Documents, 14, Doc. #2612.
  • Juni, S. (1984). The final frontier in the abolition of sexism. Journal of Psychoanalytic Anthropology, 7, 397-415.
  • Juni, S., & Fischer, R.E. (1985). Religiosity and preoedipal fixation. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 146, 27-35.
  • Juni, S. (1985). Letters: Data lacking in the reevaluation of study courses. APA Monitor, 16 (4), 6.
  • Juni, S., & Baumanis, R. (1985). Short employment tests. Buros Ninth Mental Measurements Yearbook, (1124), 1375-1376.
  • Juni, S., & LoCascio, R. (1985). Preference for counseling and psychotherapy as related to preoedipal fixation. Psychological Reports, 46, 431-438.
  • Juni, S., & Roth, M.R. (1985). The influence of hair color on soliciting help. Social Behavior and Personality, 13, 11-19.
  • Juni, S. (1985). Jokes and the Freudian unconscious. Psychology: Quarterly Journal of Human Behavior, 22, 20-27.
  • Koenig, E.J., & Juni, S. (1985). Perceived personnel suitability: A function of job sex type, sex role and gender. Journal of Studies in Technical Careers, 7, 249-260.
  • Juni, S., & budge, S. (1985). The developmental acquisition of motion. Psychology and Human Development, 1, 67-74.
  • Juni, S., & Katz, B. (1985). seek and ye shall find...What? An investigation of the process of applying for vocational services. Journal of Studies in Technical Careers, 7, 249-260.
  • Juni, S., & Cohen. P. (1985). Partial impulse erogeneity as a function of fixation and object relations. Journal of Sex Research, 21, 275-291.
  • Juni, S., & Baumanis, R. (1985). Vocational behavior checklist. Buros Ninth Mental Measurements Yearbook, (1335), 1673.
  • Juni, S., Rahamim, E. L., & Brannon, R. (1985). Sex role development as a function of parent models and oedipal fixation. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 146, 89-99.
  • Juni, S. (1986). A stale discourse on an old subject called the metamorphosis of Ajax: Forgotten classics. University, 5 (3), 5-16.
  • Juni, S. (1987). From the analysis of an obsessive hummer. Psychoanalytic Review, 74, 63-81.
  • Juni, S., & Nelson, P. (1987). Minor tonality music preference and oral dependency. Journal of Psychology, 121, 229-236.
  • Juni, S., Koenig, E.J., & Morgenstern, B. (1988). Differential religious bias in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Journal of Psychology and Judaism, 12, 78-89.
  • Juni, S., Brannon, R., & Roth, M. M. (1988). Sexual and racial discrimination in service-seeking interactions: A field study in fast food restaurants and commercial establishments. Psychological Reports, 63, 71-76.
  • Juni, S. (1989). Computer aptitude, literacy, and interest profile. Buros Tenth Mental Measurements Yearbook, (72), 210-211.
  • Ottomanelli, G., Heller, S., Bihari, B., Kramer, T., & Juni, S. (1989). DMI-measured and HIV-related risk behaviors in IV compared to non-IV substance abusers. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 6, 251-256.
  • Juni, S. (1989). Systems programming aptitude test. Buros Tenth Mental Measurements Yearbook, (356), 807-808.
  • Juni, S., & Katz, B. (1990). Theoretical and transferential debacles in humming analysis. Psychoanalytic Review, 77, 235-244.
  • Banks, H.C., & Juni, S. (1991). Defense mechanisms in minority African-American and Hispanic youths. Journal of Personality Assessment, 56, 327-334.
  • Juni, S. (1991). Remorse as a derivative psychoanalytic construct. American Journal of Psychoanalysis, 51, 71-81.
  • Juni, S. (1992). Self motivated career planning. Buros Eleventh Mental Measurements Yearbook, (355), 810.
  • Juni, S. (1992). Familial dyadic patterns in defenses and object relations. Contemporary Family Therapy, 14, 259-268.
  • Juni, S. (1992). The role of the object in drive cathexis and psychosexual development. Journal of Psychology, 126, 429-442.
  • Juni, S., Ottomanelli, G., & Fine, J. (1992). Safe sex behavior in drug addicted males as a function of object relations. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 9, 237-241.
  • Juni, S. (1992). Inwald Personality Inventory. Buros Eleventh Mental Measurements Yearbook, (183), 415-418.
  • Juni, S., & Grimm, D. (1993). Sex role similarities between adults and their parents. Contemporary Family Therapy, 15, 247-251.
  • Juni, S. (1993). Rorschach content psychometry and fixation theory. Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs, 119, 75-98.
  • Juni, S., & Grimm, D. (1993). Marital satisfaction and sex roles in New York metropolitan sample. Psychological Reports, 73, 243-250.
  • Katz, B., Juni, S., Shope, C., & Tang, F. (1993). The values of Chinese students: At home and abroad. International Journal of Psychology, 28, 761-773.
  • Juni, S. & Grimm, D. (1994). Sex roles as factors in defense mechanisms and object relations. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 28, 235-244.
  • Juni, S. (1994). Measurement of defenses in special populations: revision of the Defense Mechanisms Inventory. Journal of Research in Personality, 28, 235-244.
  • Juni, S., & Grimm, D.W. (1994). Marital satisfaction as a function of dyadic gender-role constellations. American Journal of Family Therapy, 22, 106-112.
  • Juni, S. (1995). Dissociative Experiences Scale. Buros Twelfth Mental Measurements Yearbook, (122), 313-317.
  • Juni, S. (1995). Triangulation as splitting in the service of ambivalence. Current Psychology, 14, 91-111.
  • Juni, S. (1995). Revised NEO Personality Inventory. Buros Twelfth Mental Measurements Yearbook, (33), 863-868.
  • Juni, S. (1995). Rorschach content scoring for fixation. [On-line]. [CD-ROM]. Abstract from: CDP File HaPI-CD Item: 34087.
  • Juni, S., Katz, B., & Hamburger, M. (1996). Identification with the aggressor vs. turning against the self: An empirical study of turn-of-the-century European Jewish humor. Current Psychology, 14, 313-327.
  • Juni, S., Hanson, M., & Ottomanelli, G. (1996). Reliability of the Weak Opiate Withdrawal Scale for inner city opiate users. Psychological Reports, 79, 1273-1274.
  • Grimm, D.W., Brannon, R., & Juni, S. (1997). Defense mechanisms and object relations perspectives. American Journal of Psychoanalysis, 57, 149-166.
  • Juni, S. (1997). Conceptualizing defense mechanisms from drive theory and object relations perspectives. American Journal of Psychoanalysis, 57, 149-166.
  • Juni, S. (1997). The wrath of Ajax: A psychoanalytic study of Elizabethan discourse: The case of Harington's Metamorphosis. Current Psychology, 16, 99-114.
  • Juni, S. (1997). Where have students' rights gone? American Psychologist, 52, 1386-1387.
  • Juni, S. (1998). Derogatis Psychiatric Rating Scale. Buros Thirteenth Mental Measurements Yearbook, (92), 344-346.
  • Juni, S. (1998). Cultural estrangement revisited: a contemporary adaptation with reference to gender, ethnic, and racial foci. Psychological Reports, 83, 1251-1256.
  • Juni, S. (1998). Ego Function Assessment. Buros Thirteenth Mental Measurements Yearbook, (112), 401-404.
  • Juni, S., & Katz, B. (1998). Creative pseudo-reality as a defensive factor in Jewish wit: A dialectical perspective. Journal of Psychology and Judaism, 22, 289-300.
  • Juni, S. (1999). The Defense Mechanisms Inventory: Theoretical and psychometric implications. Current Psychology, 17, 313-332.
  • Juni, S., Stack, J., & Muir, J. (2000). Ego Function Assessment of Substance Abusers: Standardization and Reliability. Psychological Reports, 87, 1185-1195.
  • Fine, J., & Juni, S. (2000). Ego atrophy in addiction illustrated through American Music Folklore. Current Psychology, 19, 312-328.
  • Juni, S. (2001). Personality Disorder Interview IV: A semistructured interview for the assessment of personality disorders. Buros Fourteenth Mental Measurements Yearbook, (289), 934-937.
  • Juni, S., & Katz, B. (2001). Self-effacing wit as a response to oppression: Dynamics in ethnic humor. Journal of General Psychology, 128, 119-142.
  • Juni, S. (2001). Butcher Treatment Planning Inventory. Buros Fourteenth Mental Measurements Yearbook, (57), 202-205.
  • Juni, S. (2001). Indirect Communication as an Insight Oriented Technique with the Resistant and Intellectually Limited. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 11, 453-489.
  • Juni, S., & Straehle, M.E. (2002). Ego Function Assessment of Nonlinical Individuals. Psychological Reports, 91, 679-686.
  • Juni, S., & Kerstein, M. (2002). Atrial fibrillation induced by oral methylprednisolone. Journal of Pharmacy Technology, 18, 16-19
  • Katz, B., Juni, S., & Matz, P. (2003). The values of psychoanalytic psychotherapists, 1979 vs. 1993: A cross-over comparative study. Current Psychology, 21, 339-361.
  • Juni, S. & Stack, J.E. (2005). Ego function as a correlate of addiction. American Journal on Addictions, 14, 83-93.
  • Juni, S. (2006). Psychometric Reliability: A Critique. Encyclopedia of Measurement & Statistics, 3, 834-835.
  • Juni, S., Bresnan, M.W., & Vescio, C.F. (2006). Reliability of a modified People of Color Racial Identity Attitude Scale and a White Racial Identity Attitude Scale for a master's counseling student sample. Psychological Reports, 98, 809-818.
  • Juni, S., Gross, J.S., & Sokolowska, J. (2006). Academic cheating as a function of defense mechanisms and object relations. Psychological Reports, 98, 627-639.
  • Juni, S. (2006). Projective Testing: A Critique. Encyclopedia of Measurement & Statistics, 2, 789-793.
  • Juni, S. (2008). Conceptualization of Hostile Psychopathy and Sadism: Drive Theory and Object Relations Perspectives. International Forum of Psychoanalysis, 17, 1-12.
  • Juni, S., & Gross, J. S. (2008). Emotional and Persuasive Perception of Fonts. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 106, 35-42.
  • Juni, S. (2008). The Role of Sexuality in Sadism: Object Relations and Drive Theory Perspectives. American Journal of Psychoanalysis, in press.
  • Juni, S., & Trobliger, R. W. (2008). Codification of Intratest Scatter on the Wechsler Intelligence Scales: Critique and Proposed Methodology. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, in press.

Degrees Held

  • Post Doctoral Fellowship Certification Downstate Medical Center, Psychiatry Department 1981
    Clinical Psychodiagnostics
  • Ph.D. SUNY @ Buffalo 1979
    Clinical Psychology
  • Post Graduate Judaic Studies Talmudic Certification N.J. Institute for Advanced Studies 1970
  • B.S. Psychology, Brooklyn College 1973

Research Interests


  • Psychometrics
  • Projective Testing
  • Object Relations 
  • Psychoanalytic Theory
  • Humor
  • Theory of Religion & Religious Behavior
  • Social Behavior