Haven't we discussed this exact issue before on TIPS? As I responded previously, Offit is destroying a theory that many parents and other "authority figures" have deeply invested in. There are plenty of other examples of this as per how the Freudian-leaning folks got so upset with Hobbs and his activation-synthesis theory of dreaming and Belsky's research on the potential downside to extensive use of day care for children in the first two years of life. We are human after all and can be quite irrational when a treasured belief system is challenged. I believe it's caused cognitive dissonance, right? BTW, I couldn't access Stephen's URL so if others had that problem, I have an article about Offit's experiences from the NYT's.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/health/13auti.html?_r=2&ref=science Joan [email protected] > "Paul Offit is one of the most respected scientists and clinicians in a > field of vital importance...He has received numerous awards for his > work...is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania > School of Medicine...[his invention] saves the lives of thousands of > children each year. So why is a nice guy like Paul Offit getting death > threats against himself and his family that have required armed guards on > campus, FBI plainclothesmen at national meetings, and special attention > to his mail?" > > Good question. > > http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1525/bio.2009.59.5.12?cookieSet=1 > > Stephen > ----------------------------------------------------------------- > Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. > Professor of Psychology, Emeritus > Bishop's University e-mail: [email protected] > 2600 College St. > Sherbrooke QC J1M 1Z7 > Canada > > Subscribe to discussion list (TIPS) for the teaching of > psychology at http://flightline.highline.edu/sfrantz/tips/ > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- > > --- > To make changes to your subscription contact: > > Bill Southerly ([email protected]) > > --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
