As president of the largest association of American psychologists, I and my fellow members are outraged, saddened and pained that two psychologists allegedly devised and engaged in brutal interrogation methodsopens in new window. They inappropriately attempted to apply a classic model of learned helplessness to torture detainees.
Regardless of effectiveness, torture is unethical, abhorrent and morally reprehensible. That two psychologists allegedly received $80 million from this perversion of psychological science is shocking.
The two psychologists identified in the Senate report are not American Psychological Association members and therefore are beyond the range of our ethics enforcement program. But regardless of their membership status, if the allegations are true, they should be held accountable for inexcusable violations of ethical principles and legal standards.
There is no place in the field of psychology for individuals who are not respectful of human dignity and committed to human rights.
Nadine J. Kaslow, PhD
The writer is the 2014 president of the American Psychological Association.