In a message dated 3 May 97 at 12:19, Howard Olson says:
> But what you are
> proposing, Juan, is the use of valid scientific research and theory
> to align ourselves with activists opposed the anti-democratic and
> statist attitudes of those in power by exposing their sociopathic
> behavior as such.
Not exactly. Exposing sociopathic behaviour as such before the
society is in my experience hardly possible. Sociopaths have
developed mechanisms to make it look the other way round.
What I have in mind encompasses the prevention of sociopathy in
future generations by providing and ensuring maternal care. Extant
sociopaths are irredeemable. But within Attachment Theory, there are
ways to diagnose propensity for unfolding sociopathy as early as 12
months of age. Studies have been replicated and prospectively
followed up. These infants diagnosed as "A" by Mary Ainsworth Strange
Situation test by age 1 start showing conspicuous signs of bullying
the feebler, manipulating, seducing, cheating, lying, putting the
blame on others, victimizing, competing, foul playing, face-saving,
and so on, as early as age 4-5, when they can be observed at
preschool.
Olweus in Norway and Alan Sroufe at he University of Minnesota have
conducted studies on continuity of these sociopathic patterns for
over 15 years. (Full references on demand).
We (The Attachment Research Center) have found ways to stop this
devious socio-emotional development in about 50% of our cases. We are
persuaded this can be highly improved if we had the means and
facilities to carry out germane prospective research.
Despite the fact that some cases seem impossible to approach: a
psychotic mother, for instance, who cannot help but inducing her
child to seek psychopathic ways to get along with her, can be
assisted in a mutually caring society.
Moreover, families as we know them today are not the best environment
to raise an infant, let alone an infant with a psychotic mother.
Extended families, as can be seen in primitive societies and in
Western Civilization only half a century ago, prove a far better
environment for a child's healthy upbringing. In an extended family,
surely under a counselor's advice, somebody else could take the role
of the infant's principal attachment figure, and so neutralize the
dire consequences of being brought up by a psychotic mother.
I am aware that carrying this kind of projects out on a massive
scale may be far from feasible and very hard to control. But, they
could certainly be attempted with certain communities willing to
cooperate with such an endeavour. Write papers on the studies,
publish them and, if they yield positive results, invite other
communities to join in; and so on and so forth. It's a painstaking
task; but, I am certain, more than worthwhile undertaking.
> The Federation of American
>Scientists (FAS) has natural scientists, social scientists and
>lawyers as members. The activist attitude of FAS would be
>complementary to what we are seeking to do. I could start a
>discussion at the FAS website (http://www.fas.org/) about our
>activities such as a proposed activist journal.
We would be more than grateful if you did.
> My point is the time is right for an alliance of
> anti-authoritarian activists and scientists to initiate a solid
> basis for radical social change.
It's the right time. We cannot wait any longer. We have to do our
best to put the best brains together to change current unsustainable
political suicidal stances.
> An activist-scientist alliance is just what is needed.
To my mind, it's the only way to get out of this deadly maze.
> about the prospects for this. I think an on-line refereed journal
> to relate theoretical and practical issues in attachment research
> and other biosocial investigations is just the ticket. With
> rigourous scientific and anti-authoritarian analysis this could
> create a fundamental change in our approach to social problems away
> from statist dogma toward Human Rights in the ultimate sense.
Agreed. But an on-line refereed journal is not enough. This kind of
joint undertakings should reach a much larger audience than the
limits of our mailing list, or even the computerized world. When
findings are available, they should be published through popular
media: magazines, newspapers, television, and so on.
Let's keep discussing the issue, please. I find it of the utmost
importance.
JC Garelli
Juan Carlos Garelli, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Early Development
Attachment Research Center
University of Buenos Aires
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