In the 1700s, a young Jean-Jacques Rousseau defiantly stole a pink and silver ribbon from the estate of his recently deceased employer, who had left him nothing in her will. When the ribbon was discovered in his room, Rousseau denied the theft and blamed a young cook. Forty years later, the famous philosopher reflected on the event. He wrote, “I did not fear punishment, but … [Read more...] about Shame on you
prison
Death Penalty becomes more rare and more problematic
As executions in the United States hit a 20-year low, one might assume that this trend reflects a more judicious and careful application of the death penalty--that judges and prosecutors are truly reserving the punishment for the worst of the worst. But comprehensive death penalty assessments by the American Bar Association, along with many other organizations, tell a … [Read more...] about Death Penalty becomes more rare and more problematic
Should Neuroscience save Tsarnaev from the Death Penalty?
When the Boston Marathon bombing occurred, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was 19 years old. That means he could face the death penalty if convicted in the bombing. If the bombing had occurred two years earlier, when he was 17, that wouldn't be possible. The Supreme Court banned the death penalty for juveniles in 2005. In that case, the court received briefs from the American … [Read more...] about Should Neuroscience save Tsarnaev from the Death Penalty?
Who is Dangerous in High Stress Situations?
It is possible to be fully supportive of law enforcement and the military everywhere, which I am, but also push for changes that will improve both organizations. In cases such as we have seen in the news, only a full investigation of the facts can determine if errors were made. If there are determinations that there were errors, corrections are needed and will take place … [Read more...] about Who is Dangerous in High Stress Situations?
The Complicity of Psychologists in CIA Torture
Earlier this week the Senate Intelligence Committee released the long-awaited executive summary of its 6,000-page classified report on the CIA’s brutal post-9/11 detention and interrogation program. The report provides gruesome details of the abuse that took place in several “black site” prisons – waterboarding, confinement in a coffin-sized box, threatened harm to … [Read more...] about The Complicity of Psychologists in CIA Torture
