I've been reading the reviews with much interest. As a cognitive psychologist, I have followed the many publications based on H.M. over the years (and stayed up half the night to watch the live streaming of the sectioning for the Brain Observatory analysis).
My first concern about the book was based on the assertion that the additional damage to H.M.'s brain was covered up. I clearly remembered the reports immediately following the Brain Observatory work, which reported this damage. The author's personal connection to the surgeon also raised concerns about his objectivity in the case (even if he is not particularly kind to his grandfather). However, many historians warn against making judgments about historical decisions from a contemporary context. (Milgram's work does not fare well from this type of analysis. Nor do many other psychological research projects.) Hindsight gives us the wisdom to adopt a moral high ground that might not have been so obvious in 1950. As I recall, the case analysis of H.M. indicated he was experiencing 2 or 3 major and/or minor seizures a week and they were not responsive to treatments available at that time. If you know anyone who experiences major epileptic seizures, you will be aware of how debilitating these are. As a graduate student, I knew a student in another discipline who began to have difficulty controlling his condition. He was exhausted and had short-term memory problems for days after a major episode. Yes, Corkin was protective and limited access of other researchers to H.M. Although I sympathized with researchers who might have liked to do their own research with H.M., I can also imagine the circus that might have ensued if people had had unfettered access to a vulnerable man. Again, thinking as a historian, when did we begin to demand informed consent from the legal guardian of a person who is unable to give informed consent - for memory research (not medical research). As a memory researcher, informed consent was unheard of as an expectation until the late 1970s. I recall that transition because it happened between data collection for my master's and data collection for my dissertation. This new book has been getting plenty of attention in the media. Some of it is pretty sensational. No doubt the author will make a pile of dough from his use of H.M.'s story. Seems a bit self-serving. I'm not sure I want to cooperate with that game. Yes, the book raises interesting issues about the conduct of research on vulnerable populations. I find it interesting that it appears after Dr. Corkin is no longer able to speak in her own defense. The Mnookin review reinforces my thinking. I appreciate the thoughtful discussion on this list. Best, Claudia _____________________________________________ Claudia J. Stanny, Ph.D. Director Center for University Teaching, Learning, and Assessment BLDG 53 Suite 201 University of West Florida Pensacola, FL 32514 Phone: (850) 857-6355 (direct) or 473-7435 (CUTLA) csta...@uwf.edu CUTLA Web Site: http://uwf.edu/offices/cutla/ <http://uwf.edu/cutla/> On Thu, Sep 1, 2016 at 2:46 PM, Jeffry Ricker, Ph.D. < jeff.ric...@scottsdalecc.edu> wrote: > > > On Aug 31, 2016, at 6:20 AM, Mike Palij <m...@nyu.edu> wrote: > > One of the surprising statement that Mnookin makes is that > Dittrich does not provide notes or references for points made > in the books (as well as some factual errors). > > > I had read a few articles about the book,and had planned to buy it until I > read the following in the review: > > “This deeply reported, 400-page book, which aims to reframe one of the > best-known medical case studies of the 20th century, is devoid of either > source notes or a bibliography.” > > Because of this omission, if I do decide to buy the book. it will be > included in my collection of “on-top-of-the-toilet-tank” books. > > Best, > Jeff > > -- > ------------------------------------------------------------ > --------------------- > Jeffry Ricker, Ph.D. > Professor of Psychology > ------------------------------------------------------------ > --------------------- > Social/Behavioral Sciences > Scottsdale Community College > 9000 E. Chaparral Road > Scottsdale, AZ 85256-2626 > Office: SB-123 > Fax: (480) 423-6298 > > > > > --- > > You are currently subscribed to tips as: csta...@uwf.edu. > > To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13144. > 1572ed60024e708cf21c4c6f19e7d550&n=T&l=tips&o=49376 > > (It may be necessary to cut and paste the above URL if the line is broken) > > or send a blank email to leave-49376-13144.1572ed60024e708cf21c4c6f19e7d5 > 5...@fsulist.frostburg.edu > > --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@mail-archive.com. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=49378 or send a blank email to leave-49378-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
