A college psychology professor's observations about public policy, mental health, sexual identity, and religious issues
Back in December, 2008, I posted a critique of Neil Whitehead’s re-analysis of Shidlo and Schroeder’s study of harm from reorientation change efforts. In that post, I noted that Whitehead said Shidlo’s study actually demonstrated the value of reparative therapy because suicides were reduced. In her report on the 2008 NARTH convention, NARTH president Julie … Continue reading “Ariel Shidlo comments on NARTH's use of his research”
CNN reproduces an Oprah article on sexual fluidity that is of interest. Here is the money: Over the past several decades, scientists have struggled in fits and starts to get a handle on sexual orientation. Born or bred? Can it change during one’s lifetime? A handful of studies in the 1990s, most of them focused … Continue reading “When women leave men for women: Sexual fluidity”
I quoted Nickerson in my prior post on confirmation bias. His article is quite good and can be reviewed here. I like this quote in the article attributed to Francis Bacon: The human understanding when it has once adopted an opinion (either as being the received opinion or as being agreeable to itself) draws all … Continue reading “Confirmation bias, NARTH and the use of research”
Both McCain and Obama want the mantle of a change agent and one capable of reaching across party divide. This article in the Philadelphia Inquirer from John Lott, research scientist at University of MD, contests the Obama charge that McCain is McSame, or a clone of George Bush. He writes: Does John McCain represent a … Continue reading “Who's the centrist in the 2008 election?”
The American Psychiatric Association will host a symposium called “Homosexuality and Therapy: The Religious Dimension” at their annual meeting in Washington DC on May 5, 2008. I will be on the panel along with David Scasta, MD, Rev. Albert Mohler, Bishop Gene Robinson and moderator, John Peteet, MD. Dr. Scasta is past-president of the Association of Gay … Continue reading “American Psychiatric Association to host symposium on religion, therapy and homosexuality”