Comments on: Former APA President Martin Seligman denies involvement in developing CIA tactics

By: Psyche, Science, and Society » Mayer on Seligman

Psyche, Science, and Society » Mayer on Seligman — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:14:48 +0000

[...] Sullivan’s blog Jane Mayer, author of The Dark Side, responds to Martin Seligman’s denial of involvement in the development of CIA interrogation tactics: Mayer on [...]

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:22:49 +0000

I have the greatest respect for Seligman and believe that he was, as he stated, focused on helping captured US service personnel in resisting enemy interrogation and even torture, which I think is a noble purpose for mental health professionals. I’ve been impressed in his work around learning why some ethnic wars lead to genocide and some do not. I’ve impressed at his willingness to pursue very important issues related to humanitarian treatment. By way of disclosure he is an endorser of my book, but I feel that only confirms his interest in fighting for ethical psychology. I don’t think he should be held accountable because some other psychologists used his theories and techniques for purposes of torture. That’s like holding BF Skinner responsible for the misuse of Tazers.

By: fisheye

fisheye — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:50:35 +0000

It comes up because he’s been asked repeatedly what he knows about how his work may have been used to employ torturous techniques in contravening his intent to teach how to resist ‘learned helplessness’.

I guess if you repeat a baseless accusation enough, some people will suspect guilt.

By: Dr. Jonathan Gransee

Dr. Jonathan Gransee — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:18:38 +0000

Give the guy a break! He is a highly respected member of the psychological community, with years of valuable contributions, and obvious credibility, and I’m inclined to believe what he says. If he did not have the credibility that he does, then I would be skeptical, but this is not some slacker off the street…this is a psychologist with a long track record of doing good for the field of psychology!

By: Nell

Nell — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:12:16 +0000

For one thing, the timing is suspect. Seligman has been the recognized authority on learned helplessness for many years, and the SERE program has been in existence for decades. Yet it’s in April 2002 that he’s invited to speak.

Also, Seligman’s “they could not discuss American methods of interrogation with me” seems to be protesting a bit too much. Why would that even come up, if his contact with the program is solely him delivering a lecture focused on lessons for about captured U.S. servicemembers resisting torture and evading interrogation?

By: "Positive Psychology" « Upturned Earth || John Schwenkler

"Positive Psychology" « Upturned Earth || John Schwenkler — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:28:44 +0000

[...] More here. If the accusations are indeed mistaken, then I naturally withdraw much of the above.] 1 [...]