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The 2015 Brookline Ethics of Operational Psychology Workshop aimed to advance public and professional deliberation regarding challenges and controversies associated with the ethical practice of operational psychology. In his initial critique, Staal (2018a) criticized our meeting on methodological and ideological grounds and condemned the resulting Brookline Principles (Soldz, Arrigo, & Olson, 2016; Soldz, Olson, & Arrigo, 2017). In an earlier response (Soldz, Arrigo, Frakt, & Olson, 2018), we argued that Staal and his colleagues have failed to adequately address legitimate concerns related to traditional civil-military relations and the social contract of the professions--both essential to broader issues of democratic process. Staal responded by largely ignoring the issues we raised. In this second response, we rebut Staal's critiques and again call on him and operational psychology colleagues to address central issues regarding the ethics of operational psychology practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We here respond to Staal's (2018) critique of the Brookline Principles on the Ethical Practice of Operational Psychology. Staal proclaimed that there are no major ethical problems in the domain of operational psychology, and, if there were, only operational psychologists would be qualified to address the problems. We respond to Staal by providing (a) background to the Brookline Workshop, (b) a case of abuse by a Behavioral Science Consultant psychologist at Guantánamo, (c) perspectives-- ours and Staal's--on the ethics of operational psychology, (d) implications of the doctrine of civil--military relations, and (e) key considerations for ethics in operational psychology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper comments on Cushman’s “The Earthquake That Is the Hoffman Report on Torture,” placing the paper in the broader context of discussion of the ethics of psychologist involvement in national security interrogations and other military operations. In a preliminary discussion of the Hoffman Report, a few details that Cushman does not get quite right are pointed out. It then discusses the reasons for American Psychological Association leaders’ behavior in this episode and the mechanisms used to deflect attention from what was really happening. Broader issues regarding the appropriate ethical roles for psychologists in national security operations, or “operational psychology,” are then discussed. Along the way issues are raised regarding the appropriate Telos or goal of psychology as a profession and the distinction between science and scientism. While strongly defending science, Cushman’s call for a re-moralizing of psychology is endorsed. The paper ties it all together with a call for a Truth Commission to create a permanent record of the involvement of psychologists and health professionals with the national security state in the wake of 9/11 and to make sure that lessons are learned for future generations of psychologists and citizens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commissioned amidst allegations of collusion between American Psychological Association officials and Central Intelligence Agency and Department of Defense officials involved in the enhanced interrogation programme, the July 2015 Hoffman Report documented a decade of collusion between American Psychological Association and Department of Defense officials in unethical national security interrogations. However, interrogation support is but one of numerous areas where psychologists are directly aiding military and intelligence operations, an area known as operational psychology. The ethical issues posed by the larger field of operational psychology have received little public discussion apart from apologia by operational psychologists themselves. To stimulate public review of operational psychology, leaders of the movement to remove psychologists from national security interrogations convened, in September 2015, a group of experts to work towards a consensus set of principles to guide future discussion. Participants included psychologists, physicians, and social scientists; military and intelligence professionals; and attorneys, ethicists, and human rights advocates. The discussion also drew upon years of dialogue between participants and military health and intelligence professionals. The workshop produced 'The Brookline Principles on the Ethical Practice of Operational Psychology,' with implications for the profession of psychology and for civil society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the construction of media reporting on the Meiwes 'cannibal' case where two consensual adults gratified fantasies resulting in the death, dismemberment and partial consumption of one. We found the media imposed a traditional but ill-fitting predator-prey frame, contributing to omissions relating to sexuality and death, the utilization of cultural 'Othering' and the presence of the defenses of intellectualization and humor; thus distracting us against anxiety from our own mortality. This study suggests the relationship between the British media and public in crime reporting is not passive but reciprocal: the media creates but also responds to public fantasies/desires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major theme in recent psychoanalytic thinking concerns the use of therapist subjectivity, especially "countertransference," in understanding patients. This thinking converges with and expands developments in qualitative research regarding the use of researcher subjectivity as a tool to understanding, especially but not exclusively in observational and interview-based studies. Psychodynamic or psychoanalytic approaches to research add an emphasis on unconscious motivational processes in both researchers and research participants that impact research experience and data. Building upon Anglo-Saxon and continental traditions, this special issue provides examples of the use of researcher subjectivity, informed by psychoanalytic thinking, in expanding research understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article, the author discusses their fight against torture and against psychologists who were involved in the torture program of the administration of U.S. President George Bush. He examines the policies of the American Psychological Association (APA) concerning the role allegedly played by psychologists in national security investigations at prison facilities like the one in Guantánamo Bay in Cuba. He claims that their work is supported by the Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) Campaign Against Torture.

United States abuses at Guantanamo and other detention centers, including the CIA's “Black Sites,“ have a long history. In the Cold War period, the CIA pursued an extensive research program on “coercive interrogations,“ which became codified in torture manuals used to train Latin American military leaders who utilized torture against their populations. Also during the Cold War, the U.S. military developed the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) program to train U.S. military personnel in resisting torture. When the U.S. government turned to torture after 9/11, they turned to SERE psychologists to develop their interrogations strategies. This occurred, first at the CIA secret Black Sites, and then at Guantanamo and elsewhere. Psychologists helped develop, implement, and standardize U.S. torture techniques. The American Psychological Association (APA), rather than oppose this use of psychologists, provided cover for U.S. interrogation abuses. They formed a task force on Psychological Ethics and National Security—stacked with a majority of members from the military-intelligence establishment, several with possible involvement in abusive interrogations. This task force supported psychologist participation in detainee interrogations. Various APA antitorture statements since then have not changed APA's pro-participation stance. As a result, a movement of psychologists arose to oppose these APA policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Psychological Ethics and National Security (PENS) task force was assembled by the American Psychological Association (APA) to guide policy on the role of psychologists in interrogations at foreign detention centers for the purpose of U.S. national security. The task force met briefly in 2005, and its report was quickly accepted by the APA Board of Directors and deemed consistent with the APA Ethics Code by the APA Ethics Committee. This rapid acceptance was unusual for a number of reasons but primarily because of the APA's long-standing tradition of taking great care in developing ethical policies that protected anyone who might be impacted by the work of psychologists. Many psychological and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as reputable journalists, believed the risk of harm associated with psychologist participation in interrogations at these detention centers was not adequately addressed by the report. The present critique analyzes the assumptions of the PENS report and its interpretations of the APA Ethics Code. We demonstrate that it presents only one (and not particularly representative) side of a complex set of ethical issues. We conclude with a discussion of more appropriate psychological contributions to national security and world peace that better respect and preserve human rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors commend Costanzo, Gerrity, and Lykes (2007) and their cogent summary of a number of ethical and scientific considerations relevant to evaluating the proper role of psychologists in national security interrogations of so-called “enemy combatants.” From their careful analysis they derive a series of recommendations for the American Psychological Association (APA) and other psychology-related associations, all of which are quite powerful. While supporting these recommendations, the authors also argue that the logic and evidence presented by Costanzo et al. imply, in current legal, political, and organizational circumstances, that psychologists should play no role in the interrogations process. The authors propose that a “bright line” should separate the profession of psychology completely from national security interrogations. The argument is based partly upon ethical considerations, on the practical knowledge available for documenting psychologist participation in interrogations as members of the so-called Behavioral Science Consultation Teams (BSCTs) at Guantánamo, evidence from other locations and sources, and equally upon the social psychological research regarding the interrogation process so adroitly summarized by Costanzo et al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This special section of Psychotherapy and Politics International contains an online discussion from October 2006 titled ‘Thinking critically in the midst of the maelstrom: can psychoanalysis help us stay sane in an insane world?’ This discussion, which took place on PsyBC (http://www.psybc.com/) revolved around two target articles by Neil Altman and Nancy Hollander on psychoanalytic understandings of the contemporary crisis in the US. This introduction discusses a few of the issues that emerged during the wide-ranging discussions. Among these issues are: whether war is inevitable; the interaction of psychodynamics and social processes in maintaining the dominant ideology and social structures; the psychodynamics of bystanders in maintaining social problems; and the complicity of many, even most, citizens in the advanced countries in various ongoing forms of oppression. A theme running through the discussion concerns the role of the citizen in a democracy and the need to increase the individual and social ability to remain aware of unpleasant social realities. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a comparative research on therapist effects. The study by Irene Elkin, et al., yielded absence of variables showing significant therapist effects. On the other hand, the study by Bruce E. Wampold, et al., yielded a significant therapist effect for only one variable, which is the Beck Depression Inventory. Variance in research findings is attributed to differences in statistical analysis, measures, and samples.

Blunts are hollowed-out cigars used to smoke marijuana (and perhaps other substances) in the United States. We investigated rates of blunt use; whether cigar use reported in surveys may actually be blunt use; the relationship of blunt to cigar use; characteristics of blunt users; brands of cigars used to make blunts; and drugs added to blunts. A school-based survey of youth, the Cigar Use Reasons Evaluation (CURE). Eleven schools across Massachusetts. A total of 5016 students in grades 7–12. CURE items assessing blunt, cigar and cigarette use, brands used to make blunts, drugs added to blunts and demographics were used. Life-time blunt use was reported by 20.0% of the sample, with use greater among high school (25.6%) than middle school (11.4%) students, and among males (23.7%) than females (16.6%). Self-reported cigar use rates were not influenced strongly by blunt use being misreported as cigar use. In a multivariate model, blunt use was associated with male gender, higher grade in school, lower GPA, truancy, lower school attachment, not living in a two-parent family, being of ‘other’ race/ethnicity and current use of both cigarettes and cigars. ‘Phillies’ was the most popular brand of cigar for making blunts, used by 59.$% of users. ‘Garcia y Vega’ (18.0%) was the second most popular. Twenty-eight per cent of blunt users had added drugs other than marijuana to blunts. The use of blunts as a drug delivery device is a serious problem. Efforts to address it will require the cooperation of the tobacco control and substance abuse prevention systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: BackgroundIn the 1990s, youth use of alternative tobacco products including cigars, bidis, and kreteks increased. This article discusses the prevalence of youth use of cigars, bidis, and kreteks, and characteristics of users.: MethodsThe Cigar Use Reasons Evaluation (CURE)—a questionnaire assessing alternative tobacco use and associated attitudes and behaviors—was administered to middle and high school students from 12 school districts across Massachusetts.: ResultsMales were more likely to use all forms of alternative tobacco and females more likely to smoke cigarettes. Hispanics were less likely to smoke kreteks or use smokeless tobacco. Urban students were more likely to smoke bidis or use smokeless tobacco than suburban or rural youth. Most smokeless and alternative tobacco users were lifetime cigarette smokers. There was, however, a significant group of cigar smokers, associated with higher parental education, who were not current cigarette smokers.: ConclusionsUse of alternative tobacco poses a risk to the success of tobacco control efforts. While many alternative tobacco users smoke cigarettes, some alternative tobacco users are current cigarette smokers. Cigar use thus constitutes a potential serious risk for youth who otherwise might not be exposed to tobacco. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Develops a method for examining the reliability of the Massachusetts substance abuse management information systems (SAMIS). Psychometric properties of SAMIS; Use of client-linking algorithm; Reliabilities of categorical-stable, numeric-stable and numeric-changing variables.

Explores the components of cohesiveness in group psychotherapy and the phase-specific nature of these elements. Performance of ratings; Types of observable participant behavior; Theories of group development.

Development of a new scale to measure patient behavior in group psychotherapy, the Individual Group Member Interpersonal Process Scale (IGIPS), is described. This scale captures clinically important aspects of how patients act in group, including how they respond to the other group members. The IGIPS was applied to videotapes of the first four sessions of seven 15-session outpatient therapy groups (52 patients) in the Mental Health Department of a health maintenance organization. The scale was found to have five factors (Activity, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Comfort with Self, Self-Focus, and Psychological Mindedness). Patient behavior that was moderate on two IGIPS dimensions was connected with better outcome than was that of patients with more extreme behavior in either direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article, the authors discuss the importance of psychology to both advance and prevent the causes of peace, social justice, human rights and ecological sustainability. They cite the various problems that demand the use of responsible psychology including multiple wars, social and economic inequality and insufficient access to health care. They report that such issues were tackled during the conference of the Psychologists for Social Responsibility (PsySR) in Brookline, Massachusetts in the summer of 2010.

This editorial points out that L. Abroms et al. in the article "Psychosocial predictors of smoking trajectories during middle and high school," apply growth mixture modeling. This study included a measure of intention to use, allowing for the identification of a subgroup who expect to smoke in the future but never actually do so. Close examination of this group could be useful in identifying factors that contributed to their not actually taking up smoking. Researchers need to work with practitioners to develop strategies to utilize these new strategies for distinguishing among smoking trajectories.

The author urges doctors and professional medical associations to strengthen their ethical stances amid the alleged abuse of detainees in the war on terror at the Abu Ghraib prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Issues tackled are the alleged abusive interrogations and torture of prisoners in the presence of medical professionals. It outlines recommendations from the Institute of medicine as a Profession (IMAP)/Open Society Foundations allowing healthcare professionals to fulfill intelligence roles.

In this article the author discusses the essence of Comprehensive Soldier Fitness (CSF) in the U. S. Military. The author examines the military initiative to provide resilience training that reduces and prevents the adverse psychological effect of combat for soldiers and veterans. It notes on the positive results of building physical and mental fitness among soldiers that outweighs any harm that might be done.

The paper consists of the online discussion of Nancy Hollander's ‘Psyche, Ideology, and the Creation of the Political Subject’, summarized. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper consists of a discussion of Neil Altman's ‘Psychoanalysis and war’, which was conducted online through PsyBC in the fall of 2006. Discussants were a group of psychoanalytically oriented thinkers chosen by the author and Nancy Hollander, the author of the other paper included in the discussion. The paper represents the full discussion with only minor edits to correct typographical errors and improve clarity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares the 12-month changes in substance use following admission to substance abuse treatment in Massachusetts between adolescents enrolled in Medicaid managed care and other publicly funded adolescents. Two hundred and fifty-five adolescents were interviewed as they entered substance abuse treatment and at 6 and 12 month follow-ups. Medicaid enrollment data were used to determine the managed care enrollment status. One hundred forty two (56%) adolescents were in the managed care group and 113 (44%) comprise the comparison group. Substance use outcomes include a count of negative consequences of substance use, days of alcohol use, days of cannabis use, and days of any substance use in the previous 30 days. Repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to assess change with time of measurement and managed care status as main effects and the interaction of time and managed care included to measure differences between the groups over time. Although several changes across time were detected for all four outcomes, we found no evidence of an impact of managed care for any of the outcomes. The results of our study do not support the fears that behavioral managed care, by imposing limits on services provided, would substantially reduce the effectiveness of substance abuse treatment for adolescents. At the same time, the results do not support those who believe that the continuity of care and improved resource utilization claimed for managed care would improve outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the 1990s, youth use of alternative tobacco products including cigars, bidis, and kreteks increased. This article discusses the prevalence of youth use of cigars, bidis, and kreteks, and characteristics of users.Methods: The Cigar Use Reasons Evaluation (CURE)-a questionnaire assessing alternative tobacco use and associated attitudes and behaviors-was administered to middle and high school students from 12 school districts across Massachusetts.Results: Males were more likely to use all forms of alternative tobacco and females more likely to smoke cigarettes. Hispanics were less likely to smoke kreteks or use smokeless tobacco. Urban students were more likely to smoke bidis or use smokeless tobacco than suburban or rural youth. Most smokeless and alternative tobacco users were lifetime cigarette smokers. There was, however, a significant group of cigar smokers, associated with higher parental education, who were not current cigarette smokers.Conclusions: Use of alternative tobacco poses a risk to the success of tobacco control efforts. While many alternative tobacco users smoke cigarettes, some alternative tobacco users are current cigarette smokers. Cigar use thus constitutes a potential serious risk for youth who otherwise might not be exposed to tobacco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]