Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 9, No. 2, 1992, Page 45
status, knowledge, organizational form) are in a position of differential power
that renders a child vulnerable. Such acts damage immediately or ultimately
the behavioral, cognitive, affective, or physical functioning of the child.
Examples of psychological maltreatment include acts of rejecting, terrorizing,
isolating, exploiting, and mis-socializing. (Proceedings of the International
Conference on Psychological Abuse of Children and Youth, 1983, p. 2, cited in
Hart &Brassard, 1987, p. 160)
Psychological abuse of adults is fundamentally similar. A group or an individual (e.g., a
psychotherapist, religious leader, police officer) in a position of differential power over an
adult uses psychologically manipulative and coercive techniques, for example, rejecting,
terrorizing, isolating, to control that person‟s behavior, affects, and cognitions, usually to
the influencee‟s detriment.
Although mental health professionals tend to avoid value judgments and base their actions
on scientifically collected data, the pain of psychologically abused individuals often compels
these professionals to take a stand on ethical grounds. A psychotherapist, for example, may
not be able to demonstrate conclusively that the behavior of Denise‟s boss (case six above)
caused Denise to take a pay cut and postpone her vacation. At best he or she may be able
to make a reasonable case for attributing causality to the boss. The psychotherapist can,
however, affirm fundamental social values by pointing out that the boss‟s behaviors were
wrong, regardless of their effects.
Respect
Respect, the opposite of psychological abuse, entails showing esteem, consideration, and
courtesy toward others. It necessarily implies that the person toward whom respect is
directed is seen as having inherent value, is a subject with whom one relates, rather than
an object one manipulates. In the Judaeo-Christian tradition all people are to be treated
with respect because they are made in the image of God. The Declaration of Independence
asserts that “all men are created equal” and that they are “endowed by their creator with
certain inalienable rights...life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Our legal system and
its ethical substrate are all built on respect for the individual. Respect for individuality
permeates our folklore. Respect, then, is a fundamental value of our culture.
In our culture, respect, unlike psychological abuse, affirms the following fundamental
aspects of personhood (which can be summarized under the acronym “MAID”):
Mind. Human beings use their minds, including intellect and intuition, in
order to discover what is true and good. The natural inclination is to seek the
truth recoiling from the truth tends to occur only in a context of fear or
confusion. Regardless of one‟s philosophical position on whether or not “truth”
and “good” exist or are knowable, people do at least pursue that which they
believe is true and good. “Reality testing” is an important concept in
psychopathology because gross deficiencies in a person‟s capacity to
determine what is “true” certainly impairs his or her judgment and ability to
make “good” choices. Even those, such as psychological abusers, who
knowingly lie to others do so in order to pursue goals they deem positive and
true for themselves. Respect, therefore, pays due consideration to mind, to
the person‟s need to make choices based on true and accurate information.
Autonomy. Choices can be associated with varying degrees of freedom.
Choices made under threat or duress are not considered voluntary. Choices
made as a result of deception and manipulation are also often considered
involuntary, or at least constrained. Autonomy, then, refers to the capacity to
make choices with minimal pressure from without. These choices may be
status, knowledge, organizational form) are in a position of differential power
that renders a child vulnerable. Such acts damage immediately or ultimately
the behavioral, cognitive, affective, or physical functioning of the child.
Examples of psychological maltreatment include acts of rejecting, terrorizing,
isolating, exploiting, and mis-socializing. (Proceedings of the International
Conference on Psychological Abuse of Children and Youth, 1983, p. 2, cited in
Hart &Brassard, 1987, p. 160)
Psychological abuse of adults is fundamentally similar. A group or an individual (e.g., a
psychotherapist, religious leader, police officer) in a position of differential power over an
adult uses psychologically manipulative and coercive techniques, for example, rejecting,
terrorizing, isolating, to control that person‟s behavior, affects, and cognitions, usually to
the influencee‟s detriment.
Although mental health professionals tend to avoid value judgments and base their actions
on scientifically collected data, the pain of psychologically abused individuals often compels
these professionals to take a stand on ethical grounds. A psychotherapist, for example, may
not be able to demonstrate conclusively that the behavior of Denise‟s boss (case six above)
caused Denise to take a pay cut and postpone her vacation. At best he or she may be able
to make a reasonable case for attributing causality to the boss. The psychotherapist can,
however, affirm fundamental social values by pointing out that the boss‟s behaviors were
wrong, regardless of their effects.
Respect
Respect, the opposite of psychological abuse, entails showing esteem, consideration, and
courtesy toward others. It necessarily implies that the person toward whom respect is
directed is seen as having inherent value, is a subject with whom one relates, rather than
an object one manipulates. In the Judaeo-Christian tradition all people are to be treated
with respect because they are made in the image of God. The Declaration of Independence
asserts that “all men are created equal” and that they are “endowed by their creator with
certain inalienable rights...life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Our legal system and
its ethical substrate are all built on respect for the individual. Respect for individuality
permeates our folklore. Respect, then, is a fundamental value of our culture.
In our culture, respect, unlike psychological abuse, affirms the following fundamental
aspects of personhood (which can be summarized under the acronym “MAID”):
Mind. Human beings use their minds, including intellect and intuition, in
order to discover what is true and good. The natural inclination is to seek the
truth recoiling from the truth tends to occur only in a context of fear or
confusion. Regardless of one‟s philosophical position on whether or not “truth”
and “good” exist or are knowable, people do at least pursue that which they
believe is true and good. “Reality testing” is an important concept in
psychopathology because gross deficiencies in a person‟s capacity to
determine what is “true” certainly impairs his or her judgment and ability to
make “good” choices. Even those, such as psychological abusers, who
knowingly lie to others do so in order to pursue goals they deem positive and
true for themselves. Respect, therefore, pays due consideration to mind, to
the person‟s need to make choices based on true and accurate information.
Autonomy. Choices can be associated with varying degrees of freedom.
Choices made under threat or duress are not considered voluntary. Choices
made as a result of deception and manipulation are also often considered
involuntary, or at least constrained. Autonomy, then, refers to the capacity to
make choices with minimal pressure from without. These choices may be
