From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!npois!cbosgd!nscs!jpj
Newsgroups: net.misc
Title: Re: REAL Sciences Don"t Eat Quiche (reply)
Article-I.D.: nscs.160
Posted: Fri Jun 18 09:50:05 1982
Received: Sun Jun 20 05:48:49 1982
References: utzoo.2184

Indeed, Psychology, like all other forms of Human Endeavor is prone
to error.  That, in and of itself, is not damning.  What *is*
alarming, as Ms Creighton points out, is the unquestioning acceptance
(read: Faith) that the public puts in psychology and its practitioners.

Leaving aside the damage that can be done in a clinical setting, the
June issue of "Science 82" contains several articles describing the
growing use of "forensic psychology."  Here the public's faith in the
absolute judgement of an *extremely* inexact science is taken to its
ultimate, tragic consequence.  The use of *expert witnesses* to speak
on the state of mind of a defendent in a capital case is a very risky
business.

As the article pointed out, even most psychologists are uncomfortable
with the public's (and the court's) view of psychology's role in
criminal justice.  What is needed, both here and in many other arenas
of public life, is a sense of healthy skepticism - founded in an
understanding of the limitations involved.

Jim Jenal
BTL/CB