I agree with the importance about distinguishing hindsight and foresight. Now there is even more on university officials who should know (or attempt to know) which troubled students might become violent. In Saturday's New York Times an article reported that the administrator in charge of security (I think at the University of Virginia) every morning examined the evidence from the past 24 hours regarding incidents involving apparently troubled students so that he could do something to "prevent" future violence. Even trained professionals can't do this let alone an untrained individual.
About the employee harassing your sister: unwanted sexual advances in the workplace IS against the law. It is shocking that the company has not stopped the employee (if telling him to stop hasn't worked, give a couple of more warnings and then fire him). The company is likely violating federal laws that require the company to have a non-hostile work environment. Marie **************************************************** Marie Helweg-Larsen, Ph.D. Department Chair and Associate Professor of Psychology Kaufman 168, Dickinson College Carlisle, PA 17013 Office: (717) 245-1562, Fax: (717) 245-1971 http://alpha.dickinson.edu/departments/psych/helwegm <http://alpha.dickinson.edu/departments/psych/helwegm> **************************************************** From: Steven Specht [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 18, 2008 10:52 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: [tips] hindsight (20/20) vs. foresight (?/?) Dear Colleagues, I think this anecdote is particularly relevant in light of the various school shootings in recent years and the issue of whether folks "should have seen it coming" and related heuristics about the characteristics that folks "think" are signs (of course, mostly in hindsight) of potential danger. I had a long talk with my sister this weekend about a man in the small company (approx. 70 employees) in which she works. Seems this guy is very interested in (i.e., "stalking"?) one of the sales associates. He has sent her flowers and has subscribed her to some provocative magazines. He bought $70 worth of Girl Scout cookies when she brought in the order forms for her daughters. He recently informed the son of one of the top executives that he was writing poetry about this woman on poetry.com (and this is after he was told to stop his unusual behaviors by one of his bosses). Since poetry.com is a public site, I've taken the liberty of attaching a copy of one of his poems for your perusal. Now, what does this all "mean"? I am not about to do any analysis (I'm not a clinical psychologist... I don't even play one on TV). Anyway, I raised this issue in one of my classes this morning. Should we be alarmed by such behaviors? Should we, in foresight, "see it coming" (whatever "it" is)? Don't individuals have a right to write poetry? Should I fear for my sister? Should the police do something (they've been called and, reasonably I think, won't do anything because no crime has been committed)? Where do individual liberties clash with prevention of tragedy? I don't have any of the answers of course. But this poem is pretty freaky if you ask me. Oh yeah, and btw, should I be "worried" about the student who asked me in class on Friday whether I feel as though I am a likely target (I love this) "especially because of the courses I teach" (stats and methods)? All very interesting for psychology majors I would hope. And I think it's worth discussing as a class. --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
