Psyche, Science, and Society

In DC: Psychology and Resisting the Drums of War

September 27th, 2007

For readers in the Washington DC area, comin up this Monday:

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1st 6:00-8:00PM
BUSBOYS AND POETS
2021 14th Street, NW
Washington DC 20009
(202-387-POET)
http://www.busboysandpoets.com

 “Resisting the Drums of War: Iraq, Iran, and the Global War on Terror”

Two psychologists will share their expertise on how political leaders garner public support for a war agenda. In the first presentation, Roy Eidelson will use video clip examples to explain how warmongering messages are often designed to target the core concerns that govern our personal and collective lives, including concerns over vulnerability, injustice, distrust, superiority, and helplessness.

In the second presentation, Diane Perlman will describe the role that “psychological intelligence” can play in reversing cycles of violence and reducing terrorism. She will examine the framing, messaging, and techniques used to manipulate the public and to intimidate members of Congress, with a particular focus on current efforts designed to seduce us into war with Iran.

The presentations will be followed by remarks and expert insights from discussants Ray McGovern and Justin Frank.
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Roy Eidelson, PhD, is a psychologist who studies, writes about, and consults on the role of psychological issues in interpersonal and group conflict settings. He is the president of Eidelson Consulting, the former executive director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Solomon Asch Center for Study of Ethnopolitical Conflict, and an Associate Member of Penn’s Program in Ethnic Conflict. He lives in suburban Philadelphia.

Diane Perlman, PhD, is a clinical and political psychologist with an interest in the image of the enemy, the psychological dynamics of nuclear proliferation, terrorism, and nonviolent conflict transformation. She is a member of Transcend, the Global Council of Abolition 2000, and co-chair of the committee on Global Violence and Security for Psychologists for Social Responsibility. She lives in Washington, DC.

Ray McGovern was a CIA analyst for 27 years from 1963 to 1990. He is a co-founder and steering group member of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS).
 
Justin Frank, M.D. is a clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry at George Washington University Medical Center and a teaching analyst at the Washington Psychoanalytic Institute. He is the author of Bush on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President. 

Entry Filed under: Culture, Iran, Iraq, Psychology, War and Peace