Maximizing Efficiency: Is it worth it?

A successful business: this is the dream that so many eager entrepreneurs and business owners share. Although many consider a “successful business” to be one in which efficiency and productivity are maximized, it is imperative to consider another aspect when determining a business’ success rate: employee welfare. Without employees to carry out and support the goals of a business, a business would essentially be nothing. To create a flourishing business, employers must cater to the needs of the employees, fostering an open and inclusive work environment.

In many ways, the military is like a traditional business. Within the military, there are leaders (employers) who set goals for troops (employees) to accomplish in order to promote the success of the organization as a whole. Yet recently, it has become apparent that the military is too focused on promoting success; it has placed efficiency and productivity above the psychological welfare of troops. According to the army’s Health Promotion, Risk Reduction, and Suicide Prevention 2010 report, suicide amongst troops who are completing active duty is startlingly significant. In 2009, 160 soldiers committed suicide while on duty. Even more astounding is that another 1,700 troops attempted suicide that year. Of those who actually committed suicide, 80% of troops had never been in combat or had been deployed to a combat zone only once. This means that other factors contributed to the deaths of the troops—psychological factors. The report actually states that psychological stressors such as “…the rigors of service…and separation from family result[ing] in a sense of isolation, hopelessness, and life fatigue” were responsible for a large majority of the suicides. To download the full report, click here.

It is clear that military leaders have become so focused on preparing troops for war that they have neglected to address the psychological needs of troops. Indeed, the report claims that the military has “unintentionally” limited the commanders’ “leadership and management requirements” by promoting such intense war-preparation objectives. Military leaders no longer take the time to properly evaluate the mental health of troops, and they no longer properly promote and advertise therapy and counseling services for emotional issues. Because seeking counseling is not something that is heavily promoted, many troops either do not know this is an option or are ashamed to seek help due to the fear of being labeled as “weak.”

Essentially, military leaders have created a terribly oppressive and stressful environment in which troops are expected to function on a daily basis. By not openly displaying affection and care toward soldiers, and by not allowing them to understand that seeking counseling is always an option for dealing with emotional issues, military leaders have essentially deprived troops of the one of the most basic methods for coping with stress: a strong social support network. It is important to have a solid social support network not only because it allows an individual to receive numerous perspectives on a stressful situation, but also because it provides individuals with the comforting knowledge that they are not alone. So many troops in the military feel both stressed and isolated, and because of this they view suicide as their only solution. Military leaders undeniably have a moral obligation to make troops more aware of both the problem-focused coping and emotional-focused coping strategies that are available to help troops deal with stress.

So is it worth it to place efficiency and productivity over the welfare of employees? As the situation currently transpiring within the military demonstrates, it is absolutely not worth it. The fact that the military is still functioning when so many of its most valuable members are emotionally tortured is a miracle. The cost of a human life is absolutely irreplaceable. Soldiers do not join the military to sacrifice their lives to emotional issues; they join the military to sacrifice their lives to protect the freedoms of the citizens. If proactive measures aren’t taken immediately to correct the flawed and unjust military leadership techniques, so many troops will continue to succumb to death unnecessarily.

On Killing

On Killing
Author: Dave Grossman
Publisher: Bay Back Books

The twentieth century, with its bloody world wars, revolutions, and genocides accounting for hundreds of millions dead, would seem to prove that human beings are incredibly vicious predators and that killing is as natural as eating. But Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman, a psychologist and U.S. Army Ranger, demonstrates this is not the case. The good news, according to Grossman - drawing on dozens of interviews, first-person reports, and historic studies of combat, ranging from Frederick the Great's battles in the eighteenth century through Vietnam - is that the vast majority of soldiers are loath to kill. In World War II, for instance, only 15 to 25 percent of combat infantry were willing to fire their rifles. The provocative news is that modern armies, using Pavlovian and operant conditioning, have learned how to overcome this reluctance. In Korea about 50 percent of combat infantry were willing to shoot, and in Vietnam the figure rose to over 90 percent. The bad news is that by conditioning soldiers to overcome their instinctive loathing of killing, we have drastically increased post-combat stress - witness the devastated psychological state of our Vietnam vets as compared with those from earlier wars. And the truly terrible news is that contemporary civilian society, particularly the media, replicates the army's conditioning techniques and - according to Grossman's controversial thesis - is responsible for our rising rates of murder and violence, particularly among the young. In the explosive last section of the book, he argues that high-body-count movies, television violence (both news and entertainment), and interactive point-and-shoot video games are dangerously similar to the training programs that dehumanize the enemy, desensitize soldiers to the psychological ramifications of killing, and make pulling the trigger an automatic response.

I've been reading this over the past week or so and I kind of adore it as far as non-fiction books go, especially considering that it's about military psychology.

I think it's a good way to get into military psychology if you just want to dabble, though. The fact that it's written by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman - somebody who was in the military - adds a slightly different perspective to it.

I love the fact that it not only incorporates actual psychological details, but actual stories and thoughts from the military members as well. Word for word stories are woven into what's being taught, so to speak, and you get a very clear look into the heads of the soldiers that we're learning about.

I think my favorite story in terms of what is learned from it and the actual story telling itself is the story of a soldier who feels an intense amount of pride after killing the rapists of innocent nuns. (I'm trying to find the page, but I can't! Shall update this post if I succeed in finding it.) The story itself was told fantastically, despite the graphic nature, and the knowledge about why the soldier felt like that was woven in around it.

All in all, I highly recommend reading this if you have a basic interest in military psychology - I found it quite interesting!

Sunset Boulevard

I felt like this should have been posted - the quote from the banner is from a song called "Sunset Boulevard" from Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical of the same name. Here's the song (performed by John Barrowman, which I love) and the lyrics.

Technically, it's about business... but...

How can you associate them with military psychology?

Sure I came out here to make my name
Wanted my pool, my dose of fame
Wanted my parking space at Warner's
But after a year, a one room hell
A murphy bed, a rancid smell
Wallpaper peeling at the corners


Sunset Boulevard, twisting boulevard
Secretive and rich, a little scary
Sunset Boulevard, tempting boulevard
Waiting there to swallow the unwary


Dreams are not enough to win a war
Out here they're always keeping score
Beneath the tan the battle rages
Smile a rented smile, fill someone's glass
Kiss someone's wife, kiss someone's ass
We do whatever pays the wages


Sunset Boulevard, headline boulevard
Getting here is only the beginning
Sunset Boulevard, jackpot boulevard
Once you've won you have to go on winning


You think I've sold out?
Dead right I've sold out!
I just keep waiting for the right offer
Comfortable quarters, regular rations
24-hour Five Star room service
And if I'm honest, I like the lady
I can't help being touched by her folly
I'm treading water, taking the money
Watching her sun set... Well, I'm a writer!


L.A.'s changed a lot over the years
Since those brave gold rush pioneers
Came in their creaky covered wagons
Far as they could go end of the line
Their dreams were yours, their dreams were mine
But in those dreams were hidden dragons


Sunset Boulevard, frenzied boulevard
Swamped with every kind of false emotion
Sunset Boulevard, brutal boulevard
Just like you, we'll wind up in the ocean


She was sinking fast, I threw a rope
Now I have suits and she has hope
It seemed an elegant solution
One day this must end, it isn't real
Still I'll enjoy a hearty meal
Before tomorrrow's execution


Sunset Boulevard, ruthless boulevard
Destination for the stony-hearted
Sunset Boulevard, lethal boulevard
Everyone's forgotten how they started
Here on Sunset Boulevard...!

Military "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Timeline

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/dont-ask-dont-tell-timeline/

Above is a link from the Washington Post of a timeline pertaining to the “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” policy. If you do not already know, the policy deals with military personal and homosexuality. Prior to the early 1990’s no homosexuals were allowed to serve in the military. During the early ‘90’s President Clinton tried to end the ban on gays in the military but instead inadvertently created the “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” policy. This allowed gays to serve in the military because upon enlisting into the armed forces there was no longer any question regarding sexuality. However, gay people could serve only as long as they did not share their beliefs or push them openly while enlisted in the armed services (Hence, “Don’t ask, Don’t tell”). Thankfully, just as of 2010 the “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” policy has been repealed and gays are now allowed to openly serve in the Armed Forces.

Now how does this pertain to the psychology? One possible way is a topic we have recently discussed in class involving “stress.” The military is a stressful enough environment to begin with. For homosexuals, even today without any sort of discriminatory restrictions against them, it must be a very stressful environment to feel comfortable in. As we all know the military is not one of the most liberal places and homosexuality has been wrongfully frowned upon in this environment since its initial existence. For gays to participate in the army the stress levels are almost definitely higher than the average soldier. As we have learned this can cause the soldier to be much more susceptible to diseases and other health related problems. It would also be very hard to serve in the military because it is not openly supported homosexuality. Finding a support system that you can trust must be very hard. Not having a support system can add to stress and even make stress worse because there is no one close to you that you can talked to and trust. Systematic biases may also affect homosexuals in a negative manner. Other soldiers who are not gay may have wrong, biased opinion on gays that could effect moral, mental health and stability, and well as conformity within the military unit.

Military Psych Resources

Want more information on military psychology? Here are some places you can poke at for more information.

Books
Military Psychology: Clinical and Operational Applications
Author: Carrie H. Kennedy; Eric A. Zillmer
Amazon Link: here

"During wartime, the need for mental health professionals intensifies, and the role they play is increasingly important. This comprehensive professional reference and text presents crucial knowledge for anyone who provides direct psychological services or consultation to military, law enforcement, or intelligence personnel, or who works to enhance operational readiness. Expert contributors describe the ins and outs of working within the military system and offer guidelines for effective, ethical practice. Among the clinical applications discussed are fitness-for-duty evaluations, suicide risk assessment and prevention, substance abuse treatment, and brief psychotherapy. Operational applications include such topics as combat stress, survival training, hostage negotiation, and understanding terrorist motivation."

Military Neuropsychology
Author: Carrie H. Kennedy; Jeffrey Moore
Amazon Link: here

"This text covers the unique features of neuropsychological evaluations in the military. The author presents a thorough examination of the assessment needs of various military populations, with a special emphasis on traumatic brain injury, and the neurocognitive aspects of stress-related problems, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and decision-making under stress. The chapters of the book are designed to integrate theory and application, and include case study examples as well as a comprehensive review of the latest research. "

Living and Surviving in Harm's Way: A Psychological Treatment Handbook for Pre- and Post-Deployment of Military Personnel
Author: Sharon Morgillo Freeman; Bret A. Moore; Arthur Freeman
Amazon Link: here

In Living and Surviving in Harm's Way, experts investigate the psychological impact of how warriors live and survive in combat duty. They address the combat preparation of servicemen and women, their support systems, and their interpersonal and intrapersonal experiences. The text maintains a focus on cognitive-behavioral interventions for treating various combat-related disorders, and addresses psychological health and adjustment after leaving the battlefield. The text is logically organized for easy reading and reference, and covers often overlooked topics such as preparation and training of service personnel, women in combat, and the indirect effects of combat stress on family. This book is written by clinicians who have in some ways experienced what they write about, and resonates with mental health professionals, servicemen and women, and their families. Any clinician hoping to treat a serviceman or woman effectively cannot afford to overlook this book.

Websites & Blogs
Exploring Psychology
Link: here

Exploring Psychology is a blog that posts about all aspects of psychology, including military psychology. Some of the newer military posts include posts on Adolf Hitler and of the mentality of serial killers.

Society for Military Psychology
Link: here

The Society for Military Psychology is division 19 of the official American Psychological Association. They have information on basic military psychology, downloadable resources, and - if you're a future psychologist - how to join them.

ASVAB
Link: here

The ASVAB website does a great job at briefly summarizing the history of military psychology. It's a great place to go to get a quick idea.

History Of Military Psychology
Link: here

I mean, just look at the title of the website - it kind of says it all. This is a more in depth version of what the ASVAB does, supplying not only basic information but journals, photos, and more.

Human Intelligence
Link: link

Human Intelligence has a database of people involved in intelligence testing, including areas of military psychology.

Brothers: Not your Typical War Story

When I sat down to watch Jim Sheridan’s film Brothers, I originally expected to be bored by yet another cliché love story set against the backdrop of war. We’ve all seen sappy love films such as this, and they all generally follow the same plot: innocent, doe-eyed girl falls in love with man (who is nothing short of an Abercrombie model) , man goes to war, girl is heartbroken, the viewer questions whether or not the relationship will be sustained, man returns from war and reunites with woman making a final comment on the power of love to overcome any obstacles. Indeed, the previews of Brothers seemed to suggest that the movie would follow this general plotline, flashing images of the beautiful Natalie Portman in tears as Toby McGuire, stoical, leaves for war. Yet much to my surprise, Brothers defied all of the clichés; in a dark and emotionally provocative story, Sheridan’s film explored the traumatic and devastating effects of serving in the military, both on troops and their families.

The story is centered around Sam Cahill (played by Toby McGuire), a marine captain who volunteers to serve in Afghanistan, leaving his wife Grace (Natalie Portman) and children behind. Sam and another officer embark on a dangerous combat mission, and are captured by terrorists and imprisoned for months. The horrors that Sam and his friend witness while imprisoned are absolutely gruesome, and unfortunately, Sam is forced to partake in the most terrible act of all: murder. The terrorists force Sam to either beat his friend to death with a metal rod or face death himself, and Sam ultimately chooses the former. When he finally returns home (much to his family’s surprise, who had presumed him to be dead), Sam’s personality is entirely altered. Aloof and occasionally violent, Sam is merely a shadow of his former self.

Psychologists Mynatt and Doherty, authors of Understanding Human Behavior, claim that adaption is the fundamental property of human behavior and cognition. Without the ability to adapt, we would not be able to survive because we would not be able to adjust to the ever-changing situations that life throws at us. Sam was able to successfully adapt to the squalid conditions of his prison because it was critical to his survival. Yet when he returned home, Sam could not readapt to the quiet suburban life he had once lead. Why?

In my opinion, Sam’s adaptation to his domestic life was hindered totally by the cognitive dissonance he was experiencing from the murder of his friend. Cognitive dissonance is the misalignment of behaviors and beliefs. It is easy to see that Sam was a good person based on the fact that he was both a father and a military volunteer. Thus, choosing to murder another human being was a behavior that did not align with his honest values. The death of Sam’s friend was truly not his fault, yet Sam feels like the murder is his fault because he felt like he made the choice to murder. Indeed, the terrorists seemed to understand how cognitive dissonance works because cognitive dissonance can only occur when individuals feel as if they willingly made the choice to behave in a way which is not in accordance with their beliefs. Thus, by forcing Sam to choose between his own life and another, they knew that they were ultimately condemning him to an incredibly unpleasant psychological state which ultimately affected his ability to adapt successfully to his former lifestyle which ultimately prevented him from functioning properly at home which ultimately lead to his mental breakdown.

So Brothers doesn’t prompt the whimsical fantasies that a love story can provide; it prompts us to confront the truth. It prompts us to ask ourselves whether it is right to expect our fellow humans to assume the burden of murder, and its psychological consequences, when none of us will ever have to assume this burden. It forces us to look within ourselves and to ask the question which people have grappled with since the dawn of time: what does it mean to be human?