Henry O Patterson, Ph.D.

1. Psychology in the Media: The Good, the Bad, & the UglyBerks Area Psychological SocietyMarch 8, 2007 Henry O Patterson, Ph.D.

2. Overview of Session • Brief history of Psychologists in the media • Psychologists in the media today • Issues raised by involvement in media • Psychologists in the media & APA Code of Conduct • Suggested ethical guidelines • Benefits & costs to Psychology’s image • Video of Dr. Phil session • Open discussion #

3. Preface • Development of interest in topic • Students appear to be affected by psychology in the media – media psychologists as role models… • Choice of psychology as major • Interests within psychology, e.g., forensic psychology, psychotherapy, marriage & family therapy • Modeling of “Pop Psych” approaches & terminology to behavioral issues, e.g. substance abuse • My writing & interview in media

4. Preface (con’t) • Media includes • Print • Magazines • Newspapers • Movies • Radio • TV • Internet • Focus will be on radio & TV

5. Brief History of Psychologists in the Media • Surprisingly, little has been written about topic • Following are findings from research of Dr. Peter Behrens, Penn State Lehigh Valley

6. Brief History of Psychologists in the Media (con’t) • 1st psychologists on radio were on New York station WEAF • 15-minute weekly broadcasts at 2 PM Tuesdays began September 1927 • Various titles presented • Child Study Talk • Concerning Parent • Parent’s Talk

7. Brief History of Psychologists in the Media (con’t) • 1st psychologists on radio (con’t) • Various presenters • Affiliations of presenters not clear—may have been connected with Rutgers University Child Study Project • Most presenters were women & audience was mostly women

8. Brief History of Psychologists in the Media (con’t) • Dr. Joseph Jastrow – 1st radio psychology “celebrity” 1930s • 1st chair of Psychology Department, University of Wisconsin • 1st Ph.D. in experimental from Johns Hopkins 1886 • When retired, began syndicated weekly radio show from WEAF (NBC flagship station) in 1934

9. Brief History of Psychologists in the Media (con’t) • Dr. Joseph Jastrow (con’t) • Actively promoted psychology as public service • Regularly featured on “Woman’s Radio Review” in 1935 and 1936 with topics such as • “Herald of Sanity” • “Psychology and Peace” • “Zest in Living” • “Radio Personality Test”

10. Brief History of Psychologists in the Media (con’t) • Psychology’s 1st TV “celebrity” was Dr. Joyce Brothers (1.5 million sites) • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce_Brothers • Dr. Ruth Westheimer (5.3 million sites) • http://drruth.com/index.php #

11. Psychologists in the Media Today (con’t) • Dr. Dan Gottlieb (980,000 sites) • http://www.drdangottlieb.com/index.htm

12. Psychologists in the Media Today (con’t) • Dr. Joy Browne ( 920,000 sites) • Calls herself "America's favorite Radio psychologist“ • Licensed clinical psychologist • Daily Radio show originates at WOR in New York City & syndicated in over 200 markets including Canada & Armed Forces Radio • "Talker's Magazine award for "Best Female Talk Show Host" twice & author of several well-selling books • Program online live Monday through Friday from 9-10 A.M.

13. Psychologists in the Media Today • Dr. Phil McGraw (19 million sites) • http://www.drphil.com/ • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_McGraw • Dr. Jenn Berman (39,500 sites) • http://www.doctorjenn.com/

14. Psychologists in the Media Today (con’t) • Dr. Laura Schlessinger (14.6 million sites) • http://www.drlaura.com/main/ • http://www.answers.com/topic/laura-schlessinger #

15. Issues Raised by Involvement in Media • Whose interest is being served? • Public? • Psychology as a profession? • Commercial sponsors? • “Celebrity” self-promotion? • How valid it the information conveyed? • Are issues oversimplified? • Scientific rigor of information & advice?

16. Issues Raised by Involvement in Media (con’t) • What is the chance of misinterpretation, distortion of advice, & casualties? • What is the broader impact on society? • When do we trust ourselves and when must we rely on experts for help? • What is the role of psychology vs family, ethnic, and religious traditions & customs?

17. What is the impact on the science & practice of psychology as a profession? Is our public image increased or diminished? Are services of psychologists more likely or less likely to be used? Will the connection between science & practice be enhanced or impeded? Is psychology’s identity more or less distinct? # Issues Raised by Involvement in Media (con’t)

18. Psychologists in the Media & APA Code of Conduct • APA Ethics Code (2002) Sec. 5 “Advertising & Other Public Statements” establishes standards: 5.01 “Avoidance of False or Deceptive Statements” to public including • “Comments for use in media such as print or electronic transmission”; • “Lectures & public oral presentations”; • “Published materials”

19. Psychologists in the Media & APA Code of Conduct (con’t) 5.04 “Media Presentations” • “When psychologists provide public advice or commentary via print, Internet, or other electronic transmission, they take precautions to ensure that statements • (1) are based on their professional knowledge, training, or experience in accord with appropriate psychological literature & practice;

20. Psychologists in the Media & APA Code of Conduct (con’t) • (2) Are otherwise consistent with this Ethics Code; and • (3) do not indicate that a professional relationship has been established with the recipient.

21. Psychologists in the Media & APA Code of Conduct (con’t) 5.05 “Testimonials” • Psychologists do not solicit testimonials from current therapy clients/patients or other persons who because of their particular circumstances are vulnerable to undue influence.”

22. Psychologists in the Media & APA Code of Conduct (con’t) 5.06 “In-Person Solicitation” • “Psychologists do not engage, directly or through agents, in uninvited in-person solicitation of business from actual or potential therapy clients/patients or other persons who because of their particular circumstances are vulnerable to undue influence.” #

23. Some Suggested Ethical Guidelines Public Advice-giving (Keith-Spiegel & Koocher, 1985) 1. Refrain from handling topics beyond their competence--bring in expert guests. 2. Do not offer suggestions requiring radical life changes or decisions. 3. Screen potential participants, give referrals to those who are not suitable for media exposure. 4. Callers should be informed of some of the risks of exposing their personal problems.

24. Some Suggested Ethical Guidelines (con’t) 5. Resources should be provided for follow-up. 6. Media psychologists should maintain a peer review board. 7. Do not put distressed callers on hold. 8. Tapes should not be re-run without the consent of the participants. 9. Media psychologists should never read commercials or news stories and should not air inappropriate advertisements.

25. Some Suggested Ethical Guidelines (con’t) 10. Media psychologists should not air promotional messages about their private practices. 11. Frequent disclaimers about misperceptions should be made. 12. Never belittle or make jokes about participants. 13. Do not speak for all psychologists. 14. Do not criticize the competence of other mental health professionals. #

26. Some Suggested Ethical Guidelines (con’t) Public Interviews (Keith-Spiegel & Koocher, 1985) 1. Find out the purpose of the story, if it sounds exploitive, consider waiting for another opportunity to make your material public. 2. Give the reporter a written statement, if possible, to reduce the chance of misquotes. 3. Invite the reporter to call you back if questions arise, or for an editorial review. 4. Refuse comment on an area where you have insufficient knowledge, and, if possible, make a referral to an informed source.

27. Some Suggested Ethical Guidelines (con’t) 5. Call back if you believe you made an error. 6. Qualify all salient or dramatic remarks, and avoid making offhanded comments. 7. Do not speak for the profession as a whole. 8. Admit when you do not have an answer, rather than formulating an ill-informed one. 9. If the topic is controversial, suggest that the reporter contact other colleagues as well.

28. Some Suggested Ethical Guidelines (con’t) 10. Offer only possibilities when asked to comment on situations on which no solid data exists (e.g. a hostage situation). 11. Psychological evaluations about newsworthy individuals should be avoided, confidentiality should be observed at all times. 12. If you are dissatisfied about the final product, let the reporter know in a constructive way. #

29. Benefits & Costs to Psychology’s Image • The benefits -- “the good” • Disseminates helpful, accurate information to the public about human behavior • Sometimes helps people deal with their problems • De-mystifies psychology, counseling, and therapy • Reduces reluctance to seek treatment • Encourages students to enter the profession

30. Benefits & Costs to Psychology’s Image • The costs – “the bad” • Leaves public with simplistic ideas about human behavior • Models helping strategies that some might try to use help others inappropriately • Increases dependency on experts to solve problems • Gives impression that psychology’s scope is limited to mental health practitioners & often confuses distinction of professions

31. Benefits & Costs to Psychology’s Image • The costs – “the ugly” • In some cases leaves the impression that psychologists are self-serving hustlers • Superficiality of radio/TV counseling might actually harm some participants • Expose problems & vulnerabilities to the world • Tarnishes the scientific base & professionalism of psychology • Increases “psycho babble” image of psychology #

32. Dr. Phil Video • Session with married couple • Wife has serious hoarding problem in home (OCD) • Husband threatens divorce, but would stay & reverse vasectomy if wife throws out junk #

33. Discussion • What has been your experience with clients who watch or listen to psychologists on radio and/or TV? • Do they have inappropriate expectations of therapy? • Are they more or less resistant to therapy? • Do you sense they compare you to Dr. Phil or some other “celebrity” therapist?

34. Discussion (con’t) • What is your appraisal of the appropriateness of Dr. Phil’s program? His style of interacting with his clients? His observance of ethical standards? • If you were offered an opportunity to have your own radio or TV show, would you do it? Why or why not? • What do you think the future holds for psychologists in the media?

35. Thanks for being a great audience!

36. References Blumenthal. A. (1991). The intrepid Joseph Jastrow. In G. Kimble, C. White, and M. Wertheimer (Eds.), Portraits of pioneers in psychology (pp. 75-87). Hillsdale NJ: Erlbaum. Cadwallader, T.C. (1988). Origins and accomplishments of Joseph Jastrow’s 1888-Founded chair of comparative psychology at the University of Wisconsin. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 101, 213-236. Epstein, R. (2001). Physiologist Laura. Psychology Today, 34 (July/August), 5. Hilmes, M. (1997). Radio voices: American broadcasting, 1922-1952. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Jastrow, J. (1928). Keeping mentally fit. New York: Greenberg.

37. References (con’t) Keith-Spiegel, P, & Koocher, G. (1985). Ethics in psychology: Professional standards and cases. New York: Random House. Levenson, R. W. (2005, April). Desperately seeking Phil. APS Observer. 18(4). Retrieved March 5, 2007, from www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/getArticle.cfm?id=1749 Martin, A. A. II The wedding of psychology and the Media: Taking a look at the ethical imperative. Retrieved March 5, 2007, from www.tagnet.org/dvm/psycmedia.html Schwartz, L. L. (ed.) Psychology and the media: A second look. Washinton, DC: American Psychological Association. Zimmerman, J.D. (1983, April). Psychologists’multiple roles in television broadcasting. Professional Psychology Research and Practice, 14(2), 256-269.