The Use of LSD in Psychotherapy: Transactions of a Conference on Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD-25), April 22, 23, and 24, 1059, Princeton, N. J
JAMA December 10, 1960 DOI: 10.1001/jama.1960.03030150085037 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
A collection of symposium contributions from psychiatrists, psychologists, ethnologists, and sociologists aimed at promoting lively discussion and effective communication, but the volume largely fails to achieve meaningful exchange. Discussions are tangential and lack coherence; the described experiments lack sound design and rely on subjective evaluations without substantiation. One participant noted that the work reflects only impressions of the doctors' unconscious minds. Although some cogent ideas appear, they are lost in confusion, making the volume of questionable value.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Medicine Psychology |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key finding | The volume fails to achieve meaningful communication, as discussions are tangential, experiments lack sound design, and contributions are subjective and unsubstantiated. |
Abstract
Contributors to this volume include psychiatrists, psychologists, ethnologists, and sociologists. The purpose of the volume, as outlined in the introduction, is to promote effective communication by the give-and-take of lively discussions. Unfortunately, meaningful communication is infrequently achieved in this volume. The discussions are tangential and lack coherence. The experiments which are described by the members of this symposium lack a sound design. They really are subjective evaluations and are not substantiated. One of the participants expressed it aptly by commenting that one finds only the impressions of the doctor's unconscious mind in the productions of the volunteers. The volume contains some cogent and succinct ideas, but they are lost in the morass of confusion. The volume is of questionable value.