Field Note
Psychoanalysis, Culture & Society (2007) 12, 83–92. doi:10.1057/palgrave.pcs.2100114
Psychoanalysis, The American Psychological Association, and the Involvement Of Psychologists at Guantanamo Bay
Frank Summers1
1Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis, Chicago, IL, USA
Correspondence: Dr Frank Summers, Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis, 333 East Ontario, Suite 4509B, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. E-mail: Franksumphd@hotmail.com
Abstract
This paper recounts the author's experience attempting to change the policy of the American Psychological Association (APA) that allows the participation of its members in Guantanamo Bay and similar detention centers. The efforts of the Division of Psychoanalysis and other divisions of the APA to oppose any such involvement are described as well as the reaction of the APA leadership to these efforts. The author speculates on the reason for the persistence of the APA governance in protecting the employment of psychologists as consultants to coercive interrogations.
Keywords:
RCI report, Guantanamo, detention centers, PENS report, SERE, BSCTs, APA ethics code, UN commission on human rights, Hamden decision
