The "Radical Right": A Threat to the Behavioral Sciences

The attacks of existing right-wing extremist groups on the behavioral sci's (BS's) eg, mental health res, personality testing, etc, is seen as a relatively unique aspect of this new pol'al protest movement. Underlying its manifest concern with the `Communist Conspiracy' in the BS's are the following major determinants: (1) the increasing res role of the BS'st in the analysis of the essential value conflicts of US society; & (2) the basic antagonism between radical right ideology (the `classic' US style) & method (morality & faith),& the findings & approach of the BS's. While the existing pol'al structure precludes the development of the movement into a dominant force on the US scene, it has achieved substantial influence in some areas of the country. There is good reason to believe that this trend will continue through the remainder of this decade, if not longer. For this reason the attacks on the BS's can neither be dismissed as a `crackpot phenomenon,' nor be minimized because of the limited future of the movement. Active opposition to these attacks is the responsibility of the BS'st. However, the adequacy of this opposition will depend on the extent of his knowledge & understanding of this movement, specifically, & pol'al extremism generally. Without such knowledge & understanding, in the highly charged, emotional atmosphere that is likely to prevail, he is more likely to violate the standards or ethics of the very approach he is attempting to defend. (See SA 0925-A9713) AA.