| Abstract: | I would like to comment on two aspects of the behavior of the large majority of American psychologists who visited Moscow in August to attend the XVIIIth International Congress of Psychology. I found both of these behaviors highly disturbing. Neither does us much credit as professionals nor as Americans. The first form of behavior engaged in by far too many American psychologists was an unending tirade of criticism and complaints about Moscow, about Intourist, about hotel accommodations, about bad food, about virtually everything that could be selected out as a target. Putting it candidly, I have heard complaining tourists throughout Europe before, but never in my life have I heard so many howl so loudly and lengthily about so many things. What is most disturbing is that, of all people, a group of professional behavioral scientists ought to be the most capable of shifting gears, adjusting to a situation, and observing and accepting the reality of the situation for what it is. Such behavior is to be expected from the naive and unsophisticated. Coming from my professional colleagues, I can only say that I am stunned. The second behavior of many psychologists which I found disturbing is more on the professional, and less on the tourist, side. Many of the questions asked of the Soviet psychologists were so hostile in nature that they revealed more about the questioner and his anxieties than did the answer reveal something of tangible value about Soviet psychology. I take great pride in my professional status as a psychologist and as an American citizen. The feeling of need to apologize for so many of my professional colleagues and fellow citizens is an uncomfortable one indeed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
