Spectacular tragedy does not require a spectacular explanation—a loner with a grudge really can kill a President, shoot up a schoolyard, or leave bombs sitting in backpacks—and yet we feel like it should. We want cause to transcend effect. A simple truth can leave us feeling cheated. We need to believe in the existence of answers and purpose more powerful than our pain.
Category Archives: Psychology Today: Beyond Heroes and Villains
Why Stick to a PTSD Diagnosis Based on Lies by Jodi Arias?
Psychologist Richard Samuels diagnosed murder trial defendant Jodi Arias with PTSD and asserts that she has dissociative amnesia for the killing itself. Now claiming she stabbed a man 29 times, slit his throat, and shot him in self defense, Arias has admitted she lied to Samuels repeatedly. Is belief perseverence the reason why he sticks to his original diagnosis of her?
Why Stick by a PTSD Diagnosis Based on Lies by Jodi Arias?
Psychologist Richard Samuels diagnosed murder trial defendant Jodi Arias with PTSD and asserts that she has dissociative amnesia for the killing itself. Now claiming she stabbed a man 29 times, slit his throat, and shot him in self defense, Arias has admitted she lied to Samuels repeatedly. Is belief perseverence the reason why he sticks to his original diagnosis of her?
WonderCon Psych 2013: Comics and Zombies and Sith! Oh, My!
At WonderCon Anaheim, psychologists on convention panels pit Jedi Knights against Vulcans, explain how to get your first book published, and discuss how fictional superheroes with tragic origins can enhance understanding of real life trauma through a filter of fiction, while psychiatrists band together with lawyers to look at legal issues that might face the walking dead.
Weddings, Funerals, Reboots – Capes and Cognitive Dissonance
Will cognitive dissonance increase fans’ commitment to ongoing comic books or to those they bought long ago? The major comic companies keep making headlines with high-profile character deaths, same-sex weddings, and storyline reboots. Will such changes draw new readers or will they leave long-time fans frustrated for buying comics that “don’t matter” in current continuity?
Aurora Judge Rules "Truth Serum" Can Test Suspect’s Insanity
Aurora, Colorado. Judge William Sylvester ruled authorities can use truth serum and polygraphy to determine if the July movie theater shooting suspect is genuinely insane. A truth serum is not a truth serum. It lowers inhibitions. A lie detector is not a lie detector. It indicates stress patterns. And what does any of it have to do with proving a mass murderer’s insanity?