Our Most Important Problem
The U.S. has many personal, social, and political problems such as emotional and behavioral disorders, alienation, distorted values, lack of empathy and compassion, focusing on self-interest while ignoring common interest, antisocial behavior, and violence. However, we do not pay much attention to the origin of these problems. There is substantial evidence that the origin is connected to infant […]
Racism: A Different, Closer Look
Progress toward alleviating racism is painfully slow. Perhaps another approach is needed. Let’s start with two questions. What makes some people racist? Can we prevent racist behavior? These questions are vital if we want to make progress. We know how difficult it is to change existing racist attitudes. It is possible and preferable to prevent […]
Preventing the Development of Violence
The United States is one of the most violent developed countries in the world. Our homicide rate is seven times that of some European countries and nineteen times that of Japan. There is an average of about one school shooting a week. One-fourth of American women are physically assaulted by a partner, the leading cause […]
Early Influences of Political Behavior
The current American political climate displays serious challenges. Too often there is a tendency to be drawn to conflict and control rather than cooperation and collaboration. The self-interest of the few frequently outweighs attention to the common interest. Are controlling tendencies inherent or is experience a greater factor? If experience matters, what experiences contribute to […]
Our Mental Health Problems Perpetuated by Flawed Focus
Overview of Problems Approximately one in five adults in the U.S. experiences some form of mental illness each year according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Nearly half of Americans (46.4%) reported having at least one of these conditions at some point in their life: anxiety disorder (28.8%), mood disorder (20.8%), impulse-control disorder (24.8%) […]
Disruption of the Mother-Child Bond
Cross-cultural and animal studies point to the critical importance of the mother-child bond. The first and fundamental intimate relationship is the one between mother and child. Though others may care for the child, the quality of the mother-child relationship cannot be duplicated. The relationship starts during pregnancy when the awareness, sensitivity, and responsiveness of the newborn […]
First State Resolution Opposing Corporal Punishment of Children
Testimony on First State Resolution to Encourage Parents to Refrain from the Use of Corporal Punishment Public Hearing at Massachusetts State House, Oct. 20, 2015 Ronald Goldman, PhD, Author of Resolution As a psychological researcher and children’s advocate, I speak for those who are powerless and sometimes harmed, those whose rights and feelings are sometimes […]
Contributor to Our Problems: Hospital Birth
A typical American birth is transformed from a natural event to a medical event. The mother gives up control of the birth to a doctor. Routine experiences for the baby can include the pain, distress, and possible physical injury from amplified contractions connected with induced labor, the increased use of extraction devices following the use of epidural […]
Avoidance of Open Debate on Early Trauma
My letter to the editor below was sent to Columbia Magazine, the alumni magazine of my alma mater Columbia University, after it was announced in 2013 that a new brain-science institute was being created at the University. My letter mentioned unrecognized early trauma related to common American cultural practices involving infants. Such early trauma has […]
Cultural Factors Perpetuate Our Problems I
Cultural Beliefs American child care practices are based on supposedly “rational” factors because Americans, men more than women, tend to value the intellect over the emotions. This preference is consistent with our general difficulty in being aware of and expressing feelings. When we don’t feel, our thinking is affected. Suppressed feelings limit our experience and lead to […]
Cultural Factors Perpetuate Our Problems II
Misplaced Focus on the Physical Our materialistic view of the body gives rise to medical materialism and reflects our cultural materialism. Years ago, twin girls were born premature in a Worcester hospital. They were placed in separate incubators conforming to standard practice in the neonatal intensive care unit. One baby had breathing and heart problems. After a few […]
Principles of Loving the World
These Principles are not comprehensive. They are intended to challenge us to reach beyond our existing beliefs, practices, and fears of being all we can be. We are urged not to settle and conform, but to creatively explore new possibilities and ideals of loving without limit. All things are connected. Let’s love ourselves. Then collectively, […]