Article archive / March 1, 2010
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 7. Source pages: 2.
APS President John Cacioppo noted psychology is a “hub science” [APS Observer (9/07)], citing a study that mapped all the sciences. The seven ‘hubs’ were plotted, psychology falling right between social sciences and medicine. Do we identify with one side or the other, creating a natural diversity? It could explain some of the finger-pointing and tug-a-wars at the national level.
It seems that we may have resolved diversity, which carries with it a natural tendency toward conflict, by carving ourselves up. And, for those whose livelihoods depend on the “shrinking mental health dollar,” (National Psychologist, Jan/10) it could prompt the feeling that resources are scarce, another factor pushing territorial conflicts.
The perception of scarce resources, lost members, splits and tug-a-wars… I wonder if we need to regain our feel for what was once upon a time called Community Psychology.
Don Glad championed this area in the ‘70s at LSUBR, blending personality, small group dynamics, and a favorite of his–large systems. Most who studied with him remember Don for two things: 1) he was genius, and 2) he was infuriating.
Don was infuriating because he would “unfreeze” systems, yours included, by eliciting underlying conflicts, then resolving them. (Some would say he also created them, and they might be right.)
Ralph Dreger said, “Don was Wagnerian in his virtues and his faults…like the irascible genius at times… he saw things in a different perspective… “ And, “Don applied his genius to the most pressing problem of the times…” Ralph was referring to race relations in the South. “There was no single individual more influential in bringing about communication in days when there was transition from segregation to desegregation and integration…” Don was “…ever willing to help in the Baton Rouge community…”
And he did it by increasing communication, by his dogged, persistent valuing of diversity, and by embracing conflict as an authentic avenue for human growth and positive change.
Photos by Julie Nelson. Published in the 1978 LPA Newsletter in the memorial article, “Dr. Don Glad, Clinical-Community Psychology Professor at L.S.U.B.R.” D’Lane Miller and Maria Vidos pictured top photo, Alan Taylor bottom. Story by Jim Gay and Keith Wismar. 1978 Newsletter courtesy of Darlyne Nemeth.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.