"The more people watch [TV], the more they perceive the world to be a dangerous and frightening place. They're prepared to respond aggressively....Ultimately people have the power. If they stop watching, the programs won't be broadcast."
--Psychologist Jeffrey Johnson, PhD, of Columbia University, who gave up television while doing research that revealed that the more children watch, the more likely they will engage in aggression later in life. The Washington Post, April 9.
"In the short run, unforgiveness is empowering. In the long run, unforgiveness will kill you--literally."
--Everett Worthington, PhD, chair of Virginia Commonwealth University's psychology department, in an article about the benefits and consequences of forgiving versus not forgiving others. The Washington Post March 31.
"In general, a guarantee of 100 percent success may take away an opportunity to grow. Zero failing can be very limiting."
--School psychologist Keith Cowie, PhD, in an article about the benefits of children's experiences with failure. Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, March 18.
"I just can't imagine why people are so insensitive....You're supposed to suck it up and go. That's the American way. There's not a whole lot of sympathy."
--Psychologist Edith Gilbert King, PhD, who led therapy sessions for the Department of Housing and Urban Development survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing, responding to the news that the building that will replace the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building will be constructed directly across the street from the site of the previous building. The New York Times, April 11.
"Too often, parents blame the school, the school blames the parents and everybody blames the police. But what we try to get across is that everybody needs to own some of the responsibility."
--Theodore A. Feinberg, EdD, assistant executive director of professional relations of the National Association of School Psychologists, in an article about how younger children are committing acts
of school violence. The Detroit News, April 6.
--K. HEWLETT
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