Developmental psychology.pdf

24 Background and Methods
Each of the Christs had adjusted to the various demands of the commission,
just as he had learned to cope with the research team, which was almost always present.
None of them discarded their delusional thinking, even after two years of exposure
to all sorts of research efforts, including more letters, more discussions, and special
efforts by staff members to form individual therapeutic relationships. The men developed
their delusional thinking for some reasons, currently unknowable, and apart from
some superficial changes in Leon's identity, probably related to his need to appear consistent
in this context, these delusions were not significantly altered as a consequence
of the confrontations.
Problem of Commitment Will the three Christs therefore spend the rest of their
days under institutional supervision? The answer is probably affirmative, though
discussion of personality disorders and the effectiveness of therapy are subjects for later
chapters. We can only say here that after the research was terminated, the three men
for a while could be seen in pairs or all together in the sitting room. But soon Leon
reverted to eating alone. Too much time had passed, it seemed, for he had been in
custodial confinement for five years. Clyde was about seventy; Joseph was close to sixty;
and both had been institutionalized for almost two decades.
This issue of involuntary commitment, in which an individual is placed in a
mental institution against his or her will, raises another ethical question. It is a practical
matter, concerning freedom in everyday life, not a matter of research or licensure.
What should be done when someone behaves in a way that meets with disapproval
from the family, society, or others? This question divides psychologists, lawyers, and
also laypersons (Wanck, 1984).
Suppose that out-patient psychological or psychiatric treatment has been unsuccessful,
as in the case of Clyde, Joseph, and Leon. Should the law permit someone
to commit someone else to a state hospital? If so, what standard should be used in
making this commitment?
Experts agree that the standard should include the presence of mental disorder,
but this condition is extremely difficult to define. Leon sometimes showed highly
lucid thinking, and on other occasions his thoughts were bizarre indeed.
Some experts argue that the standard should include dangerousness to the self
and others, but here again the decision is difficult. An angry person holding a loaded
gun and claiming to be a simple Christian boy psychiatrist probably would be considered
dangerous. Leon never behaved in this way, but what about a man who averts his
eyes whenever a brassiere advertisement appears on the television? Suppose this same
man says to a woman who innocently obtains a light from his cigarette: "Please, madame,
no suggestive touching with the hand." This behavior certainly tarnishes the
reputation of that individual and perhaps others, but does it constitute mental disorder?
"I'm sorry," the woman replied to Leon, "I didn't intend anything."
According to one viewpoint, mental disorder alone, assuming it can be accurately
identified, is sufficient to permit confinement of an individual to a mental institution.
The argument here is that the individual, when improved, will be thankful for
the commitment (Stone & Church, 1975). This position, of course, assumes that some
improvement will occur, which is a debatable issue. The polar opposite is that involuntary
commitment is an evil that should be abolished (Szasz, 1977). And between
these two positions lie the views of many other experts, indicating that the question of
involuntary commitment is a persistent ethical issue for psychology and for society as
a whole.
Interdisciplinary Issues The relation of psychology to law, education, medicine,
and other professions is of great significance to society. Just between psychology and
law, for example, there is a wide variety of complex ethical and social issues: the custody
of children, which becomes a legal and psychological question when each spouse seeks
separate custody as a fit parent; punishment and rehabilitation, an issue in criminal
law involving the psychological principles of deterrence, rehabilitation, and therapy;