Robert O. Pihl

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Robert O. Pihl
Born (1939-02-02) February 2, 1939 (age 84)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
Alma mater Lawrence University
Arizona State University
Scientific career
Fields Psychology
Institutions McGill University
Doctoral advisor Joel Greenspoon
Doctoral students Jordan Peterson
Website www.mcgill.ca/psychology/robert-o-pihl

Robert O. Pihl (born February 2, 1939) is an American psychology researcher, professor and clinician. Since 1966, he has worked at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He is also a fellow of the American Psychological Association and Canadian Psychological Association, [1] as well as a member of many other academic organizations.

Contents

Pihl has made major contributions to the fields of clinical and health psychology in his more than 250 publications on various topics such as alcohol aggression, substance abuse, and pharmacology. In 2009, he received the Canadian Psychological Association's Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Lifetime Contributions to Canadian Psychology. [2]

Education

Pihl earned his master's degree and his PhD at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. At the time, he worked in a neurological hospital and became interested in impulse control. He received his PhD in 1966 under the supervision of Joel Greenspoon, a clinical psychologist and leading researcher in behavioral analysis. [3] Pihl completed his clinical internship from 1964 to 1966 at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona.

Professional life

Research and publications

Pihl's research includes over 250 publications, on which he has collaborated with over 200 co-authors from around the world. According to Google Scholar, his work has been cited over 16,000 times. [4] He is also on the board of reviewing editors for Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research . [5] Pihl's research addresses psychopharmacology, alcohol, aggression, substance abuse, behavior modification, the cognitive consequences of addiction, and several risk factors for disorders.

Some of Pihl's early research projects involved the hair analysis of children with learning disabilities. He found that children with learning disabilities had higher levels of lead and cadmium in their hair compared to children without these disabilities. [6] These findings influenced the US Congress to mandate that lead be removed from paint in the 1970s. Pihl later conducted similar analyzes in which he also found greater levels of lead and cadmium in the hair of violent criminals, compared to the normal population. [7]

Pihl has extensively studied the link between alcohol and aggression, namely that alcohol consumption increases aggression. He has also studied other predictors of aggression, such as pain sensitivity, levels of cognitive functioning, and one's social environment. [8] His investigations of the link between tryptophan depletion and aggression suggest an association between disturbances of the brain's serotonin system and one's aggression. [9] Pihl linked this research to alcohol intoxication, finding that intoxicated subjects with lower tryptophan (and thus lower serotonin) levels in the brain were more aggressive than those with higher serotonin levels. [10] Pihl has also researched motivational, physiological and cognitive factors that predict substance abuse. Pihl looked at people's varying reactions to substance consumption, and how this affects their behavior when intoxicated. He investigated the risk factors for abuse of different substances, and in 2000 Pihl collaborated in developing The Substance Use Risk Profile Scale, a scale for classifying substance abusers on the basis of personality and motivational risk factors for substance abuse, such as hopelessness, impulsivity, and sensation-seeking. [11]

Some of his most notable research publications include:

Clinical work

Pihl previously directed the department of psychology at the Lakeshore General Hospital in Montreal. He was also a co-director of the Alcohol Studies Group at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute in Montreal. He was a consultant for the psychology department at Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital, and for the Montreal's Centre Pour Enfants avec Problèmes d'Apprentissage. Pihl is on the advisory committee of the McGill-Montreal Children's Hospital Learning Center.

Committees and organizations

Pihl is a member of several psychological committees and organizations, including: the International Society for Research on Aggression, the US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the Neuropharmacology Subcommittee of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Violence and Traumatic Stress Committee, the Working Group on Alcohol-Related Violence, the Review Committee for Alcohol and Drug Abuse for Health and Welfare Canada, the Alcoholic Beverage Medical Research Foundation, and the International Society for Research on Aggression. [20] He is a fellow in the Canadian Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association's Psychopharmacology, Addiction, Clinical Psychology, and Learning Disability Divisions, the Behavioral Science Foundation, and others. For Health and Welfare Canada, Pihl is a member of the Scientific Review Committee for Behavioral Research and the Non-medical Use of Drugs, and he is also an advisor for a group on Parent Drug Education.

Honors and awards

Pihl has received several honors and awards throughout his career. These include: the Lehmann Award from the Canadian College of Neuropsychopharmacology (1994), [21] the Canadian Psychological Association's Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Lifetime Contributions to Canadian Psychology (2009), [2] the National Patient Safety Award from the Drug Safety Institute (2013), the David Thomson Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching and Supervision from McGill University (2014). [22]

Related Research Articles

Medical psychology or medico-psychology is the application of psychological principles to the practice of medicine, primarily drug-oriented, for both physical and mental disorders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psychopharmacology</span> Study of the effects of psychoactive drugs

Psychopharmacology is the scientific study of the effects drugs have on mood, sensation, thinking, behavior, judgment and evaluation, and memory. It is distinguished from neuropsychopharmacology, which emphasizes the correlation between drug-induced changes in the functioning of cells in the nervous system and changes in consciousness and behavior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Substance abuse</span> Harmful use of drugs

Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, is the use of a drug in amounts or by methods that are harmful to the individual or others. It is a form of substance-related disorder. Differing definitions of drug abuse are used in public health, medical, and criminal justice contexts. In some cases, criminal or anti-social behavior occurs when the person is under the influence of a drug, and long-term personality changes in individuals may also occur. In addition to possible physical, social, and psychological harm, the use of some drugs may also lead to criminal penalties, although these vary widely depending on the local jurisdiction.

Conduct disorder (CD) is a mental disorder diagnosed in childhood or adolescence that presents itself through a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that includes theft, lies, physical violence that may lead to destruction, and reckless breaking of rules, in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate norms are violated. These behaviors are often referred to as "antisocial behaviors", and is often seen as the precursor to antisocial personality disorder; however, the latter, by definition, cannot be diagnosed until the individual is 18 years old. Conduct disorder may result from parental rejection and neglect and can be treated with family therapy, as well as behavioral modifications and pharmacotherapy. Conduct disorder is estimated to affect 51.1 million people globally as of 2013.

Drug rehabilitation is the process of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and street drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin or amphetamines. The general intent is to enable the patient to confront substance dependence, if present, and stop substance misuse to avoid the psychological, legal, financial, social, and physical consequences that can be caused.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Physical abuse</span> Medical condition

Physical abuse is any intentional act causing injury, trauma, bodily harm or other physical suffering to another person or animal by way of bodily contact. Physical abuse is a type of abuse that involves physical violence, such as hitting, kicking, pushing, biting, choking, throwing objects, and using weapons. Physical abuse also includes using restraints or confinement, such as tying someone up, locking them in a room, or restraining them with drugs or alcohol. Physical abuse can also include withholding basic needs, such as food, clothing, or medical care. In addition to the physical injuries caused by physical abuse, it can also lead to psychological trauma, such as fear, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Physical abuse can occur in any relationship, including those between family members, partners, and caregivers. It can also occur in institutional settings, such as nursing homes, schools, and prisons. Physical abuse can have long-term physical, psychological, and social consequences, and can even be fatal.

State-dependent memory or state-dependent learning is the phenomenon where people remember more information if their physical or mental state is the same at time of encoding and time of recall. State-dependent memory is heavily researched in regards to its employment both in regards to synthetic states of consciousness as well as organic states of consciousness such as mood. While state-dependent memory may seem rather similar to context-dependent memory, context-dependent memory involves an individual's external environment and conditions while state-dependent memory applies to the individual's internal conditions.

Gordon Alan Marlatt was a leading American-Canadian clinical psychologist in the field of addictive behaviors from the 1980s through the 2000s. He conducted pioneering research in harm reduction, brief interventions, and relapse prevention.

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to psychology:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Impulsivity</span> Tendency to act on a whim without considering consequences

In psychology, impulsivity is a tendency to act on a whim, displaying behavior characterized by little or no forethought, reflection, or consideration of the consequences. Impulsive actions are typically "poorly conceived, prematurely expressed, unduly risky, or inappropriate to the situation that often result in undesirable consequences," which imperil long-term goals and strategies for success. Impulsivity can be classified as a multifactorial construct. A functional variety of impulsivity has also been suggested, which involves action without much forethought in appropriate situations that can and does result in desirable consequences. "When such actions have positive outcomes, they tend not to be seen as signs of impulsivity, but as indicators of boldness, quickness, spontaneity, courageousness, or unconventionality." Thus, the construct of impulsivity includes at least two independent components: first, acting without an appropriate amount of deliberation, which may or may not be functional; and second, choosing short-term gains over long-term ones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcoholism in family systems</span> Social and psychological factors that cause alcoholism in families

Alcoholism in family systems refers to the conditions in families that enable alcoholism and the effects of alcoholic behavior by one or more family members on the rest of the family. Mental health professionals are increasingly considering alcoholism and addiction as diseases that flourish in and are enabled by family systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polysubstance dependence</span> Medical condition

Polysubstance dependence refers to a type of substance use disorder in which an individual uses at least three different classes of substances indiscriminately and does not have a favorite substance that qualifies for dependence on its own. Although any combination of three substances can be used, studies have shown that alcohol is commonly used with another substance. This is supported by one study on polysubstance use that separated participants who used multiple substances into groups based on their preferred substance. The results of a longitudinal study on substance use led the researchers to observe that excessively using or relying on one substance increased the probability of excessively using or relying on another substance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Substance use disorder</span> Continual use of drugs (including alcohol) despite detrimental consequences

Substance use disorder (SUD) is the persistent use of drugs despite substantial harm and adverse consequences as a result of their use. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that “Substance use disorder (SUD) is a treatable mental disorder that affects a person's brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances like legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. Symptoms can be moderate to severe, with addiction being the most severe form of SUD”. Substance use disorders (SUD) are considered to be a serious mental illness that fluctuates with the age that symptoms first start appearing in an individual, the time during which it exists and the type of substance that is used. It is not uncommon for those who have SUD to also have other mental health disorders. Substance use disorders are characterized by an array of mental/emotional, physical, and behavioral problems such as chronic guilt; an inability to reduce or stop consuming the substance(s) despite repeated attempts; operating vehicles while intoxicated; and physiological withdrawal symptoms. Drug classes that are commonly involved in SUD include: alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids, sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics, stimulants, tobacco

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Addiction</span> Disorder resulting in compulsive behaviours

Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to use a drug or engage in a behaviour that produces natural reward, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences. Repetitive drug use often alters brain function in ways that perpetuate craving, and weakens self-control. This phenomenon – drugs reshaping brain function – has led to an understanding of addiction as a brain disorder with a complex variety of psychosocial as well as neurobiological factors that are implicated in addiction's development. Classic signs of addiction include compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli, preoccupation with substances or behavior, and continued use despite negative consequences. Habits and patterns associated with addiction are typically characterized by immediate gratification, coupled with delayed deleterious effects.

About 1 in 7 Americans suffer from active addiction to a particular substance. Addiction can cause physical, psychological, and emotional harm to those who are affected by it. The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as "a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual's life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences." In the world of psychology and medicine, there are two models that are commonly used in understanding the psychology behind addiction itself. One model is referred to as the disease model of addiction. The disease model suggests that addiction is a diagnosable disease similar to cancer or diabetes. This model attributes addiction to a chemical imbalance in an individual's brain that could be caused by genetics or environmental factors. The second model is the choice model of addiction, which holds that addiction is a result of voluntary actions rather than some dysfunction of the brain. Through this model, addiction is viewed as a choice and is studied through components of the brain such as reward, stress, and memory. Substance addictions relate to drugs, alcohol, and smoking. Process addictions relate to non-substance-related behaviors such as gambling, spending money, sexual activity, gaming, spending time on the internet, and eating.

Mark B. Sobell, Ph.D., ABPP, a professor at the College of Psychology of Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a specialist in addiction. Dr. Mark Sobell is nationally and internationally known for his research in the addiction field. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association in Divisions 1, 3, 12, 25, 28, and 50, and is Board Certified in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology. He is the co-director of Healthy Lifestyles: Guided Self-Change at Nova Southeastern University.

Linda Carter Sobell, Ph.D., ABPP, is the President's Distinguished Professor at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is a professor of clinical psychology, addiction specialist, co-director of NSU's Guided Self-Change clinic, a Motivational Interviewing Trainer, and is board-certified in cognitive and behavioral psychology.

Guided self-change (GSC) treatment has been accepted by American Psychological Association Division 12, Society of Clinical Psychology, as an empirically supported treatment.

Deborah M. Capaldi is a developmental psychologist known for her research on at-risk male youth and the intergenerational transmission of substance use, antisocial behavior, intimate partner violence, and child abuse. She is a senior scientist at the Oregon Social Learning Center. Her current projects focus on child exposure to family violence and parenting practices of at-risk parents.

Katie Witkiewitz is an American psychologist, Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Director of the Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, & Addictions, and the Addictive Behaviors and Quantitative (ABQ) Research Lab.

References

  1. ↑ "CPA Fellows". Canadian Psychological Association. March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "CPA Award Descriptions and Past Recipients". www.cpa.ca. August 8, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Greenspoon, Joel". Behaviour Analysis History.
  4. ↑ "Robert O. Pihl on Google Scholar". Google Scholar. March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Editorial Board – Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research". Wiley Online Library. March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  6. ↑ Pihl, R.O. The lead level is connected to the cadmium level, the cadmium level is connected to the lithium level, and that may be why they have trouble learning. Paper presented at the 1979 OACLD and OISE Conference on Learning Disabilities, Toronto, February 1979.
  7. ↑ Pihl, R.O., Ervin, F.R., Pelletier, G., Deikel, S.& Strain, W. 1982. Hair element content of violent criminals. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 27, 533-534.
  8. ↑ Pihl, R.O., Lau, M., and Assaad, J.M. (1997). Aggressive Disposition, Alcohol, and Aggression. Aggressive Behavior, 23: 11-18. DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2337(1997)23:1<11::AID-AB2>3.0.CO;2-W
  9. ↑ LeMarquand, D. G., Pihl, R. O., Young, S. N., Tremblay, R. E., Seguin, J. R., Palmour, R. M., & Benkelfat, C. (January 1, 1998). Tryptophan Depletion, Executive Functions, and Disinhibition in Aggressive, Adolescent Males.
  10. ↑ Pihl, R. O., Young, S. N., Harden, P., Plotnick, S., Chamberlain, B., & Ervin, F. R. (June 1, 1995). Acute effect of altered tryptophan levels and alcohol on aggression in normal human males. Psychopharmacology, 119, 4, 353-360
  11. ↑ Woicik, P.A., Pihl, R.O., Stewart, S.H., Conrod, P.J. (2009). Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 34: 1042–1055.
  12. ↑ Pihl, R.O. & Altman, J. 1971. Experimental analysis of the placebo effect. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, March–April, 91-95.
  13. ↑ Milstein, S.L., Pihl, R.O. & Smart, R.G. 1974. The problem of drug abuse: Has Canada found some answers? The Canadian Psychologist, 15, 357-367.
  14. ↑ Zeichner, A. & Pihl, R.O. 1979. Effects of alcohol and behavior contingencies on human aggression. The Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 88, 153-160.
  15. ↑ Dobkin, P.L. & Pihl, R.O. (1992). Measurement of Psychological and Heart Rate Reactivity to Stress in the Real World. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 58: 208-214.
  16. ↑ Harden, P., & Pihl, R.O. (1995). Cognitive deficits and autonomic reactivity in boys at high risk for alcoholism. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 104, 94-103.
  17. ↑ Pihl, R.O., Young, S., Harden, P., Plotnick, S., Chamberlain, B. & Ervin, F. (1995). The effect of altered tryptophan levels and alcohol on aggression in normal human males. Psychopharmacology, 119: 353-360.
  18. ↑ Pihl, R. O., & Parkes, M. (January 1, 1977). Hair element content in learning disabled children. Science, 198, 4313, 204-6.
  19. ↑ Conrod, P.J., Pihl, R.O., Stewart, S.H., Coté, S., & Dongier, M.A motivational model of substance abuse: Implications for etiology and treatment of co-morbidity. Paper presented at the Addictions Research Foundation Conference on co-occurring substance use and mental disorders: Functional relations and clinical implications. Toronto, ON, November 2–5, 1997.
  20. ↑ Private communication with Robert Pihl in an interview at McGill University on October 24, 2014
  21. ↑ "Past Winners". Canadian College of Neuropsychopharmacology.
  22. ↑ "David Thomson Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching & Supervision". McGill University.
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