What a Bombshell Report Tells Us About the APA’s Abetting of Torture
The American Psychological Association gave psychologists involved in the often-brutal interrogation of detainees at Guantánamo Bay and elsewhere a free pass. The association tweaked its ethics code for the convenience of the U.S. military. For years it failed to investigate serious complaints of unethical conduct — and when it did investigate, its efforts were laughable. Officials seemed more interested in currying favor with the government than living up to the "high standards of ethics" the APA proclaims as integral to its mission. The association not only didn’t meaningfully object to torture committed under the administration of President George W. Bush; it aided and abetted that abuse. That’s the verdict of the 542-page independent review prepared by David Hoffman, a former federal prosecutor, at the request of the association.