Alice LoCicero | Lesley University (original) (raw)

Papers by Alice LoCicero

Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 2015

Military Psychologist: An Oxymoron

Leadership During Terrorism: Contradictions of Common Sense and Social Science

PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2006

Social Science & Medicine, Nov 1, 1993

The current rate of cesarean sections in the U.S. is too high. Numerous mothers and babies are be... more The current rate of cesarean sections in the U.S. is too high. Numerous mothers and babies are being placed at unnecessary risk of medical, behavioral and psychological complications. The problem has proven resistant to solution on a large scale, despite serious efforts on the part of a variety of individuals and groups. This paper considers reports on the interactions between obstetricians and mothers in labor in light of findings and theory in the areas of gender and psychosocial development. Examination of processes and standards of care in light of these findings and theory leads to the conclusion that the present model of obstetric services is consistent with a masculine style, and offers far less than optimal care for women. In fact, the gender-inappropriate elements of the model itself probably contribute to the excessive rates of interventions in labor. Social, political and historical factors are seen to support the obstetric model as is, leading to some pessimism about the possibility that the model could be modified sufficiently without major social change. The obstetric model is compared briefly with the more gender appropriate model of care provided by midwives.

Enabling Torture: APA, Clinical Psychology Training and the Failure to Disobey

Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 2016

Human Rights in the Military: The Role of Psychology FAILING ETHICS 101: PSYCHOLOGISTS, THE U.S. MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT, AND HUMAN RIGHTS

The American Psychological Association (APA) has long maintained aclose, even symbiotic, relation... more The American Psychological Association (APA) has long maintained aclose, even symbiotic, relationship with the Department of Defense (DOD)and the Veterans Administration (VA). Herein we highlight these close tiesand describe psychologists’ participation in interrogations by U.S. militaryand intelligence entities. We then review the APA’s statements about thepermissibility of psychologist participation in the interrogation and tortureof suspected terrorists. These issues are significant in and of themselvesand because the VA and DOD have been described as “growth careers”for psychologists of the future (1). Additionally, the Health Care PersonnelDelivery System allows the drafting of civilian clinical psychologists intomilitary service even in the absence of a general draft. In light of psychol-ogists’ extensive involvement in the interrogation process of suspectedterrorists, and the possibility that psychologists without prior military experi-ence may be drafted, we wondered how muc...

Abstract: This paper begins by recounting concerns, raised by various American psychologists rega... more Abstract: This paper begins by recounting concerns, raised by various American psychologists regarding psychological consequences of US counterterrorism policies following the attacks of September 11, 2001 (9/11.) Predictions made by a task force created by the American Psychological Association to consider the likely social effects of US counterterrorism policies have proved accurate. These include not only fear, but widespread crippling panic resulting from vague warnings and lack of suggested actions; discrimination, resulting from increased emphasis on in-group vs. out-group identities; hate crimes against those perceived as members of out-groups, and lack of tolerance for antiwar perspectives. Recent, increasingly radical, changes in policy, such as widespread surveillance of US citizens ’ actions and communications by various US agencies, have led to more dire consequences, with many now concerned that the US is at risk of becoming a police state. The combined and interactive ...

The New School psychology bulletin, 2007

The attacks of September 11, 2001 have produced a new urgency to understand terrorism and its lea... more The attacks of September 11, 2001 have produced a new urgency to understand terrorism and its leaders in complex terms. This paper characterizes the evolution in cognitive complexity of Osama bin Laden across different life domains using the developmental paradigms of Robert Kegan (1982, 1994) and Michael Commons (Commons & Richards, 2002). We under- stand bin Laden as simultaneously simple and complex, both constructing and operating within a world that is absolute (reflecting simple, either/or thinking) in some domains and relative (reflecting more complex thinking) in others. He adheres ideologically to one absolute reality, rooted in his interpretation of Islam, although concurrently demonstrates a complex leadership style that encourages members to contribute uniquely to and take ownership of the process. This latter ability reflects greater complexity for both integrating and synthesizing multiple, competing perspectives and systematic thinking. Both internal and external fact...

Failing ethics 101: psychologists, the U.S. military establishment, and human rights

International journal of health services : planning, administration, evaluation, 2014

The American Psychological Association (APA) has long maintained a close, even symbiotic, relatio... more The American Psychological Association (APA) has long maintained a close, even symbiotic, relationship with the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Veterans Administration (VA). Herein we highlight these close ties and describe psychologists' participation in interrogations by U.S. military and intelligence entities. We then review the APA's statements about the permissibility of psychologist participation in the interrogation and torture of suspected terrorists. These issues are significant in and of themselves and because the VA and DOD have been described as "growth careers" for psychologists of the future (1). Additionally, the Health Care Personnel Delivery System allows the drafting of civilian clinical psychologists into military service even in the absence of a general draft. In light of psychologists' extensive involvement in the interrogation process of suspected terrorists, and the possibility that psychologists without prior military experience may ...

Creating Young Martyrs: Conditions That Make Dying in a Terrorist Attack Seem Like a Good Idea

Praeger Security International Advisory Board Board Cochairs Loch K. Johnson, Regents Professor o... more Praeger Security International Advisory Board Board Cochairs Loch K. Johnson, Regents Professor of Public and International Affairs, School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia (USA) Paul Wilkinson, Professor of International Relations and Chairman of the Advi-sory ...

Fear across America in a Post-9/11 World

The Impact of 9/11 on Psychology and Education, 2009

The New School Psychology Bulletin, May 10, 2006

~The September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have had an ongoing im... more ~The September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon have had an ongoing impact, transforming daily habits and attitudes in the United States. At the time of the attacks, social scientists had limited understanding of how people in the United States would think about or react to large-scale acts of terrorism in the US. This study contributes to a growing body of knowledge and theory in this area. We developed and psychometrically evaluated the 25-item Perceptions of Terrorism Questionnaire short-form (PTQ-SF), assessing eight constructs identified by the authors as recurrent themes in the general literature on terrorism (literature that is not specific to the US), including Perceived Threat of Terrorism, Faith in Government, and Fear/Impact of Terrorism. Psychometric evaluation of the PTQ demonstrated that it met acceptable standards for item internal

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 10576100701879638, Feb 20, 2008

Preparing Students for Success in Fieldwork

Sage, Nov 20, 2009

EJ620599 - Preparing Students for Success in Fieldwork.

Adults often benefit when youth engage in violence.

Why "Good Kids" Become Deadly Terrorists: Deconstructing the Accused Boston Marathon Bombers and Others LIke Them

How could young people we might easily have known and loved act intentionally to create carnage, ... more How could young people we might easily have known and loved act intentionally to create carnage, terror, and radical disruption of lives and psyches, while ending their lives or at least the possibility of productive futures. As US President Obama asked: What would lead them “to resort to violence?” Those seeking a simple explanation will be disappointed. In this book, I provide background and integration of factors from a variety of biological and social sciences, that contribute to the vulnerability of youth around the world to being recruited to violence and terrorism. In addition, I will discuss ways to inoculate youth against recruitment. This will necessitate collaboration among professionals, families, and community leaders. I also reflect on how today's terrorism fits into a historical context, and expand on current definitions of terrorism. Last, I discuss contemporary scholarship on the decrease in violence in humans over millennia, providing hope that efforts to disco...

Do fears of terrorism predict trust in government?

Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, 2010

In the years leading up to the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington DC,... more In the years leading up to the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington DC, trust in government had declined significantly (Chanley et al, 2000; Chanley, 2002). However, the 9/11 terrorist attacks required recognition of a significant threat to national ...

The Open Psychology Journal, 2015

This paper begins by recounting concerns, raised by various American psychologists regarding psyc... more This paper begins by recounting concerns, raised by various American psychologists regarding psychological consequences of US counterterrorism policies following the attacks of September 11, 2001 (9/11.) Predictions made by a task force created by the American Psychological Association to consider the likely social effects of US counterterrorism policies have proved accurate. These include not only fear, but widespread crippling panic resulting from vague warnings and lack of suggested actions; discrimination, resulting from increased emphasis on in-group vs. out-group identities; hate crimes against those perceived as members of out-groups, and lack of tolerance for antiwar perspectives. Recent, increasingly radical, changes in policy, such as widespread surveillance of US citizens' actions and communications by various US agencies, have led to more dire consequences, with many now concerned that the US is at risk of becoming a police state. The combined and interactive effects of earlier and more recent changes in US counterterrorism policies have caused serious, sometimes terrible, consequences. This paper explains how these consequences have become part of a vicious circle: frightened, passive, and unable to collaborate in rational attempts to manage the threat of terrorism, citizens have not begun to consider how to prevent future instances of homegrown terrorism.

Assessing the Ongoing Psychological Impact of Terrorism

Handbook of Clinical Rating Scales and Assessment in Psychiatry and Mental Health, 2009

Abstract The terror attacks of 9/11/2001 dealt a serious blow to the sense of secu-rity, well-bei... more Abstract The terror attacks of 9/11/2001 dealt a serious blow to the sense of secu-rity, well-being, and economic stability of Americans, and altered the mental health landscape for those within the United States and other parts of the world. Parallel-ing this, new threats ...

When the Last Tamil Dies: Interviewing Children in War Zones

PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2000