Psychologists for an Ethical APA

Psychologists for an Ethical APA (PEAPA) has updated their website with a collection of valuable links related to the ongoing crisis in American psychology over the refusal of the APA to ban its membership from participation in interrogations at sites linked to U.S. abuse and indefinite detention of detainees. The latter has been condemned by organizations around the world.

PEAPA is a collection of psychologists within the American Psychological Association who fought for a moratorium against psychologists at detention centers such as Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay, and CIA "black site" secret prisons. Unfortunately, the craven APA leadership put out a resolution that, while noble in words, and taking certain strong stands against practices such as waterboarding and mock execution, left the door open for practices that allow harm, such as sensory deprivation and overload, solitary confinement/isolation, and the use of drugs in some circumstances.

The new links at PEAPA include: two important articles at Harper's on the recent events at APA by Scott Horton and Mark Benjamin; Amy Goodman's article, "Psychologists in Denial About Torture"; Jean Maria Arrigo's presentation at the 2007 APA convention on how APA politically controlled, with assistance from the Department of Defense, a blue-ribbon APA committee meant to set policy related to interrogations and torture back in 2006; and psychologist Mary Pipher's statement of protest regarding APA policy, made as, in a matter of principle, she returned her 2006 APA presidential citation award; and much more.

For those following this controversy, or interested in joining PEAPA, the site has become a definite must visit.