OpEdNews » Author Mary Pipher returns award to American Psychological Association

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Tag(s): American Psychological Assoc; CIA; Dept Of Defense DOD; Health Psychology-Mental Health; Kindness; Psychology; Torture; Torture
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August 24, 2007 at 11:46:48

Headlined on 8/24/07:
Author Mary Pipher returns award to American Psychological Association

by Stephen Soldz Page 2 of 2 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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In its place, the council had approved a resolution prohibiting psychologists from direct or indirect participation in 19 “unethical” interrogation techniques and called on the U.S. government to ban their use.

The list includes mock executions, simulated drowning or suffocation, sexual humiliation, exploitation of phobias, exposure to extreme heat or cold and isolation or sleep deprivation “that represents significant pain or suffering, or in a manner that a reasonable person would judge to cause lasting harm.”

The resolution left what Pipher sees as loopholes on such techniques as sensory and sleep deprivation, which cause people to fall apart very quickly. And it stopped far short of banning psychologists from participating in the interrogations of prisoners at the military sites, she said.

The vote upset Pipher, who has worked with victims of torture and has seen the lifelong harm it can inflict.

It is to be hoped that other prominent psychologists will join Dr. Pipher in her efforts to restore ethics and integrity to the profession of psychology, and to end the US regime of abuse and torture of detainees.

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http://psychoanalystsopposewar.org/blog/

Stephen Soldz is psychoanalyst, psychologist, public health researcher, and faculty member at the Institute for the Study of Violence of the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis. He is a member of Roslindale Neighbors for Peace and Justice. He maintains the Psyche, Science, and Society blog.

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2 comments

Teresa Simon-Noble is a computer activist for peace. She is a former mental health clinician. A poet and a freelance writer. Her work has been published in several online publications.
teresa simon-nobleTeresa Simon-Noble is a computer activist for peace. She is a former mental health clinician. A poet and a freelance writer. Her work has been published in several online publications.

A woman of conscience.

Mary Pipher is a woman of conscience ... Too bad the American Psychological Association has lost its conscience and finds itself on the wrong side of the torture issue. A horrible thought one has to ponder is how many of its members have found themselves, in any given mental health center, pushing for the wrong side of any given individual's mental health ... anyhow, there should be more Mary Piphers around.

by teresa simon-noble (56 articles, 17 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 81 comments) on Saturday, August 25, 2007 at 4:38:23 AM

DOB -- September 20, 1940. Became active in civil rights and peace movements in 1962. Active in socialist and antiwar movements -- 1963-69. Active in Gay Liberation from 1969 to present.
rhalfhillDOB -- September 20, 1940. Became active in civil rights and peace movements in 1962. Active in socialist and antiwar movements -- 1963-69. Active in Gay Liberation from 1969 to present.

CONTEMPTIBLE RATIONALIZATION

When I read about the American Psychological Association's vote in a newpaper, I could immediately see it was the type of rationalization I have seen people using in a variety of situations. By remaining involved in the interrogations, the APA rationalization went, psychologists could be "involved" and prevent torture. Of course, the interrogators would have cared little about any remonstrances from the psychologists. Meanwhile these psychologists can continue to enjoy the monetary rewards and prestige connected to their continued participation in these official government activities.

Robert Halfhill rhalfhill@juno.com

by rhalfhill (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 310 comments) on Saturday, August 25, 2007 at 6:10:41 PM