PSYCHOLOGY IN THE NEWS
Introduction
For the purpose of doing an analysis, an article, called “psychologists to review role in detainee interrogations” was chosen. The article is relevant because it was published on November 13th 2014. The article mainly talks about the role that the association of psychologists played in interrogating detainees during the Era of president Bush. The article acknowledges that the detained were exposed to torture during the interrogation and that critics stated that psychologists were involved. It states the demand for answers prompted the association to conduct an independent study that will show whether the psychologists were involved in the interrogation process.
The article relates to theory because it utilizes strategies that are aimed at gaining attention and influencing a certain action from the readers. According to theories of psychology, especially cognitive theories, attention is created through influencing people by use of ethos, logos and pathos. The article relates to theory because it first addresses reader concerns. In the first paragraph, the article addresses the ‘what’ when’ ‘why’ ‘who’ and how concerns of its audience. The article then continues to give a detailed report in a logical way hence appealing to the logic and the emotions of the readers. Giving information in detail also relates to concepts in psychology by minimizing any doubts that the intended public may have making it easier to influence them.
The article further relates to concepts by being vivid and clear that is one concept stated in psychology that it takes the possession of the mind. The article is organized and simple to understand which is effective in holding the reader’s attention. The paragraphs are interrelated and end with a certain suspense that gives the reader the urge to know more. According to psychology, people usually get the need to seek further information when they are left in suspense. The suspense gives them the curiosity to keep on searching for information in order to know and be able to tell the end of events. Another criterion it uses is that it appeals to people’s emotions by reminding them that detainees were tortured during the error of President Bush. Taking back people to events evokes emotions which, to psychology, is important in influencing a certain behavior. it is clear from the article that there is need for the public to support the review in order to bring matters to the light. The article has also given people food for thought by influencing the talk in the public arena.
However, there are still ways upon which the article would be improved. One way is by coming up with a headline that catches the attention of the reads. Because the article talks about the torture that was experienced in the era of Bush, including President Bush in the headline could have attracted more attention when compared to the headline that is used. Again, instead of using a general term of psychologists, it could have used the name of the organization that is widely known. Using such approach would have easily attracted the attention of many readers. The article would have further evoked emotions by reminding the audience about the torture process that the detainees went through. A bigger influence and impact would have been achieved.
Work cited
Risen, James. “Psychologists to review Role in Detainee Interrogations”. The New York Times.(13 November 2014): Web
