Psychology and the Human Condition
Does psychology address the human condition? A recent post of the American Psychology-Law Society listserve noted the limitations of psychology education in undestanding foundational issues in the law, e.g., criminal responsibility. I responded in part as follows: Few psychologists have studied cultural history, philosophy, or ethics that serve as a foundation for understanding concepts of […]
The Nazi and the Psychiatrist
Encounters behind bars between Nazi war criminal Hermann Goering and an American doctor 65 years ago raise questions about responsibility, allegiance and the nature of evil Excerpt from Scientific American Mind: January 2011: “In the aftermath of World War II, American psychiatrist Douglas M. Kelley worked closely with captured Nazis as their general physician and […]
Custody Disputes and Distorted Parent-Child Relationships
It is a commonplace in family relationships in custody disputes that parent-child relationships are distorted and often unhealthy. These distortions arise from several sources, including parental insecurity (hence, the common sleeping together), distortions arising from the evaluation process itself, and what I call “competitive parental attention.” It may be covert or overt. It is observed in both parents. […]
The facts about Conditional Release in Hawaii
A couple of recent Star Advertiser pieces were quite critical of the Conditional Release system in Hawaii. They highlighted a recent CR case that was exceptionally tragic, and also highlighted another tragic event pursuant to someone released from the Hawaii State Hospital after a finding of unrestorability and a period of civil commitment. Unfortunately the […]