The relativity of risks

Here is a copy of the original English version of my last column in Metro that appeared on September 4, 2007.

This column was inspired by a true story that appeared in the papers a few months ago. It touches on a theme that I have explored in other columns; that is, the relativity of things and the problems we can face when we seek absolute certainty, whether it concerns health, highway overpasses, or attacks from burglars.

The danger is relative

A recent tragic story in the news highlighted the problems we often face when we evaluate dangers and risks in isolation. It involved the heroic...

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Posted on 13 Sep 2007
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A new way to communicate

So it has come to this. I am now officially a blogger!

I’m not sure where this will take me but I suspect it will be fun and stimulating. I’ll start off in a simple way. My basic content will be the columns I write for Journal Metro in Montreal. They are usually inspired by observations and experiences from my own life or the lives of my clients. They are published in French and are translated from the original English ones, which I will post when they are written (every two weeks).

I suspect the columns will result in some comments which, if I know myself, will push me to add more...

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Posted on 22 Aug 2007
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20

Don’t count on my loyalty

Camillo Zacchia, Ph.D.
Psychologist – Douglas Institute

The Americans have a saying, “My country, right or wrong.” It is a strong expression of patriotism and a good rallying cry in wartime; a good rallying cry, that is, if you want blind faith from your citizens.
Faith, loyalty, patriotism; these are all terms that we normally regard as positive, but while they can be good traits at times, they can also be dangerous.

Loyalty: The Good
The good side of loyalty is quite impressive. In the corporate world, businesses count on it to build success. Without loyalty, insubordination would...

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Posted on 21 Aug 2007
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20

Hindsight and two jars of marbles

I once met with a client who saved a neighbour from suicide. He was worried about this neighbour when he didn’t answer the door. He ended up breaking in and discovering the neighbour in the bathtub with his wrists slashed. This was a great act and one for which this client should be very proud.

Years later, the neighbour whose life was spared ended up murdering his wife. Now how is my client supposed to feel? His heroic act of saving a desperate man from suicide ultimately led to the brutal murder of an innocent victim.

I think this case illustrates well the nature of hindsight. We tend to...

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Posted on 25 Jul 2007
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22

Experience: does it matter?

Whenever we need to hire a psychologist at the institute, the directors invariably ask me to select someone with experience, at least five years if possible. When they do so, I usually ask them to think of the worst professor they had in university, and how much experience that person had. The usual answer is: many years. Why then was he, or she, so bad?

Everyone seems to assume that experience is a good thing. Yet, how is it that so many highly experienced teachers, doctors, psychologists, or whatever, can be so bad? The answer is simple: experience can only help if you start with a solid...

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Posted on 25 Jul 2007
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