New Books in Psychology

Explore the fascinating interplay of scholarship and real-world application in the quest for wholeness. Delve into the blending of Eastern and Western philosophies and the importance of dialogue across cultural identities. Discover how artistic expression intertwines with the struggles of mental health, particularly in schizophrenia. The conversation highlights the transformative impact of personal narratives in education and advocates for a holistic approach to knowledge. Celebrate the 50th milestone with reflections on future explorations and the search for integrated understanding.

Rebecca Lemov, a Harvard history of science professor and author, dives deep into the unsettling world of brainwashing and mind control. She reveals how we’re all vulnerable to manipulation, particularly through social media and digital addiction. Lemov traces brainwashing's history, discussing everything from POWs in North Korea to today's data-driven tactics that prey on trauma. She distinguishes between genuine persuasion and more sinister forms of emotional engineering, urging us to recognize the hidden dynamics at play in our everyday lives.

Pooja Agarwal, an expert in retrieval practice, joins fellow cognitive scientists, Cynthia Nebel, who specializes in student motivation, and Veronica Yan, an interleaving authority. They explore actionable strategies to enhance learning, including the Effective Teaching Cycle that boosts motivation and retention. The trio dives into the importance of interleaving techniques and low-stakes assessments to build student confidence. They also discuss myth-busting in education, emphasizing evidence-based practices for better outcomes.

Daanika Kamal, a law lecturer at Royal Holloway University, delves into the complex layers of domestic violence in Pakistan. She reveals how women’s legal claims are often dismissed as those of ‘bad’ or ‘mad’ individuals. The conversation highlights systemic issues in law enforcement, the challenges of seeking justice, and the impact of societal narratives. Kamal also discusses the evolving definitions of domestic violence and how cultural norms influence the legal process, shedding light on the realities faced by women victims.

Conceived as the most modern, humane incarceration facility the world had ever seen, New York's Blackwell's Island, site of a lunatic asylum, two prisons, an almshouse, and a number of hospitals, quickly became, in the words of a visiting Charles Dickens, "a lounging, listless madhouse." Digging through city records, newspaper articles, and archival reports, Stacy Horn tells a gripping narrative through the voices of the island's inhabitants. We also hear from the era's officials, reformers, and journalists, including the celebrated undercover reporter Nellie Bly. And we follow the extraordinary Reverend William Glenney French as he ministers to Blackwell's residents, battles the bureaucratic mazes of the Department of Correction and a corrupt City Hall, testifies at salacious trials, and in his diary wonders about man's inhumanity to his fellow man. Damnation Island: Poor, Sick, Mad and Criminal in 19th Century New York (Algonquin Books, 2019) shows how far we've come in caring for the least fortunate among us--and reminds us how much work still remains. Stacy Horn shows that in setting up institutions for the humane treatment of social outcasts, New York City was so quickly overwhelmed by the sheer numbers confined to the Insane Asylum, Workhouse, Almshouse, Penitentiary and Hospital, that what emerged was a veritable gulag on Blackwell’s (now Roosevelt) Island. Based on a careful reading of both remarkably candid official documents detailing widespread suffering and accounts by the intrepid undercover reporter Nellie Bly and the socially prominent Josephine Shaw Lowell, we come to appreciate the long shadow of history cast over the city’s remaining island of the damned—Rikers. James Wunsch is Emeritus Professor of Historical and Educational Studies at SUNY Empire State. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/psychology

Judith Weisenfeld, an esteemed professor of Religion and a prominent voice in African American Studies, delves into the unsettling relationship between race, religion, and psychiatry in the aftermath of slavery. She uncovers how white psychiatrists pathologized Black religious practices, viewing them as insanity. With compelling historical insights, Weisenfeld discusses the misuse of mental health diagnoses to undermine Black self-determination, showcasing powerful narratives of resistance among Black patients against oppressive psychiatric systems.

Dr. Jeremy Stolow, a communication studies professor and interdisciplinary researcher, dives into his groundbreaking book on auras. He discusses how auras have been visualized from the late 19th century to today, highlighting the interplay between belief and technology. Stolow explores Kirlian photography's role in understanding auras and its cultural and medical implications. The conversation also touches on the impact of visual media on psychology and how aura imagery weaves through alternative medical practices, blending art, science, and spirituality.

David P. Celani, a retired psychologist and adjunct professor, discusses Ronald Fairbairn's pivotal contributions to Object Relations Theory. He delves into the impact of childhood relationships on emotional development, particularly how parental neglect shapes personality. Celani connects Fairbairn’s theories on ego models and dissociation to modern therapy practices. He critiques traditional views on abusive dynamics and emphasizes the healing power of positive memories, all while linking Fairbairn’s insights to contemporary psychological challenges.

Michael Baldwin, a trauma survivor and communications leader, and Deborah Korn, a clinical psychologist specializing in EMDR, discuss the transformative power of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy. They share personal stories of healing, highlighting how EMDR alleviates emotional distress caused by trauma—both big and small. The pair encourages listeners to recognize their own traumatic experiences and emphasizes the importance of a supportive therapeutic relationship. They also advocate for mental health awareness and accessibility to EMDR therapy.

Joshua Howe is an environmental historian at Reed College, while Alexander Lemons is a former Marine scout sniper and Bronze Star recipient. They explore the profound impacts of war beyond traditional violence. Lemons shares his harrowing experience in Iraq and his struggle with mysterious illnesses linked to toxic exposures. Howe provides scientific insights on the hidden dangers veterans face, such as lead and burn pits. They discuss PTSD and the often overlooked long-term health consequences of combat, urging for greater empathy and accountability in addressing veteran care.