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Dangerous Ideas

How our core beliefs promote and prevent progressive change

Environment
The Sustaining Fires of Standing Rock: A Movement Grows

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on March 17, 2017

Oil profiteers have awakened a movement that combines a commitment to addressing the trampled rights of Native Americans with a reinvigorated call for climate justice.

Oil profiteers have awakened a movement that combines a commitment to addressing the trampled rights of Native Americans with a reinvigorated call for climate justice.

President Donald Trump
The Predatory Presidency

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on February 28, 2017

The White House is using sky-is-falling mind games to disguise its predatory executive orders, falsely warning us these steps are necessary to protect the public from dire threats.

The White House is using sky-is-falling mind games to disguise its predatory executive orders, falsely warning us these steps are necessary to protect the public from dire threats.

President Donald Trump
The "Mind Games" of Donald Trump

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on December 27, 2016

Donald Trump, America’s premier hustler, sold the electorate a wagonload of beguiling and deceptive tales about what’s gone wrong, who’s to blame, and how he’ll make things better.

Donald Trump, America’s premier hustler, sold the electorate a wagonload of beguiling and deceptive tales about what’s gone wrong, who’s to blame, and how he’ll make things better.

Heuristics
PsySR Stands with the Standing Rock Sioux

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on October 26, 2016

The actions of the Standing Rock Sioux offer an inspiring model for everyone who wants a sustainable human future and an end to political-economic oppression.

The actions of the Standing Rock Sioux offer an inspiring model for everyone who wants a sustainable human future and an end to political-economic oppression.

Ethics and Morality
Standing Firm for Reform at the APA

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on June 20, 2016

We are witnessing a coordinated campaign of intimidation, deception, and obfuscation targeting the American Psychological Association’s recent efforts at ethical reforms.

We are witnessing a coordinated campaign of intimidation, deception, and obfuscation targeting the American Psychological Association’s recent efforts at ethical reforms.

Deception
When Psychologists Deny Guantanamo’s Abuses

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on December 1, 2015

Disgruntled factions are pursuing a deceptive and self-protective campaign aimed at discrediting the recent Hoffman Report, which documented extensive and compelling evidence of collusion between leaders of the American Psychological Association and Department of Defense officials. The latest entry comes from the leadership of the APA's military psychology division.

Disgruntled factions are pursuing a deceptive and self-protective campaign aimed at discrediting the recent Hoffman Report, which documented extensive and compelling evidence of collusion between leaders of the American Psychological Association and Department of Defense officials. The latest entry comes from the leadership of the APA's military psychology division.

Ethics and Morality
Making a Choice: APA Reform or Business as Usual?

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on October 29, 2015

Following a seven-month investigation, an independent report revealed extensive collusion between the American Psychological Association and the Department of Defense in support of psychologists’ involvement in coercive war-on-terror interrogations. Now a campaign is underway to discredit that report, and to turn the APA away from much needed accountability and reform.

Following a seven-month investigation, an independent report revealed extensive collusion between the American Psychological Association and the Department of Defense in support of psychologists’ involvement in coercive war-on-terror interrogations. Now a campaign is underway to discredit that report, and to turn the APA away from much needed accountability and reform.

Ethics and Morality
Reflections on a Historic APA Convention and the Road Ahead

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on August 13, 2015

Last week’s convention witnessed an unprecedented victory for advocates calling for the APA to prioritize psychology's do-no-harm ethics in national security settings. But attendees have returned home still uncertain as to whether the APA's leadership will persevere in pursuing a course of transparency, accountability and reform – after a decade of collusion and cover-up.

Last week’s convention witnessed an unprecedented victory for advocates calling for the APA to prioritize psychology's do-no-harm ethics in national security settings. But attendees have returned home still uncertain as to whether the APA's leadership will persevere in pursuing a course of transparency, accountability and reform – after a decade of collusion and cover-up.

Ethics and Morality
How the American Psychological Association Lost Its Way

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on August 3, 2015

In Toronto this week, APA leaders will face members’ confusion and rage during Council governance meetings, a three-day teach-in organized by Psychologists for Social Responsibility, and open town hall meetings. Can this soul-searching be channeled into fruitful reforms, not just to the organization, but for the future of the field? A lot is at stake in the days ahead.

In Toronto this week, APA leaders will face members’ confusion and rage during Council governance meetings, a three-day teach-in organized by Psychologists for Social Responsibility, and open town hall meetings. Can this soul-searching be channeled into fruitful reforms, not just to the organization, but for the future of the field? A lot is at stake in the days ahead.

Ethics and Morality
Revisiting the Ethics Case of Dr. John Leso

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on July 10, 2015

My new commentary in the peer-reviewed, open-access Journal of Social and Political Psychology offers a thorough examination of the seemingly inexplicable decision by the American Psychological Association’s Ethics Office not to pursue action against psychologist John Leso – despite his documented role in the abusive treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.

My new commentary in the peer-reviewed, open-access Journal of Social and Political Psychology offers a thorough examination of the seemingly inexplicable decision by the American Psychological Association’s Ethics Office not to pursue action against psychologist John Leso – despite his documented role in the abusive treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.

Ethics and Morality
Commitments the APA Should Make Today

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on June 30, 2015

It is reasonable to expect that the soon-to-be-released Hoffman Report will provide further evidence of grave collusion between the American Psychological Association and government agencies involved in the torture and abuse of war-on-terror detainees. This is an opportune time for the APA’s leadership to commit to specific actions if this indeed proves to be the case.

It is reasonable to expect that the soon-to-be-released Hoffman Report will provide further evidence of grave collusion between the American Psychological Association and government agencies involved in the torture and abuse of war-on-terror detainees. This is an opportune time for the APA’s leadership to commit to specific actions if this indeed proves to be the case.

Ethics and Morality
Where Have All the Members Gone?

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on June 4, 2015

Milton Strauss was a member of the American Psychological Association for almost fifty years. His recent resignation is further evidence that the APA’s leadership has failed its members and the profession.

Milton Strauss was a member of the American Psychological Association for almost fifty years. His recent resignation is further evidence that the APA’s leadership has failed its members and the profession.

Ethics and Morality
Fugitive Facts Escape from APA Headquarters

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on May 18, 2015

As they wait for an investigator’s report, APA leaders claim that they’ve already refuted allegations of collusion in the Bush Administration’s abusive “enhanced interrogation program.” Such pretense is a disservice to APA members, to the profession as a whole, and to the public at large.

As they wait for an investigator’s report, APA leaders claim that they’ve already refuted allegations of collusion in the Bush Administration’s abusive “enhanced interrogation program.” Such pretense is a disservice to APA members, to the profession as a whole, and to the public at large.

Intelligence
The APA's Disappearing History

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on May 7, 2015

Amid mounting evidence that the American Psychological Association colluded with the CIA in protecting the Bush Administration’s abusive “enhanced interrogation program,” it appears that someone has been steadily removing valuable, relevant content from the APA website. Perhaps it’s true after all: idle hands are indeed the devil’s workshop.

Amid mounting evidence that the American Psychological Association colluded with the CIA in protecting the Bush Administration’s abusive “enhanced interrogation program,” it appears that someone has been steadily removing valuable, relevant content from the APA website. Perhaps it’s true after all: idle hands are indeed the devil’s workshop.

Ethics and Morality
The APA Relied on the CIA for Ethical Guidance

Roy J. Eidelson Ph.D. on May 5, 2015

Last week’s release of previously undisclosed emails provides further evidence of the American Psychological Association’s extensive and secret involvement with the CIA and White House in crafting ethics policies that permitted psychologists to participate in abusive “war on terror” detention and interrogation operations.

Last week’s release of previously undisclosed emails provides further evidence of the American Psychological Association’s extensive and secret involvement with the CIA and White House in crafting ethics policies that permitted psychologists to participate in abusive “war on terror” detention and interrogation operations.