The Plug
In the 1960s, the motto “Sex, Drugs and Rock n' Roll” led to a reckless existence that destroyed millions of lives, relationships and careers.
Musicians, entertainers, actors, screenwriters, directors, activists, financiers, politicians and elected officials were in need of consoling. Being in the upper crust of society, most could afford a psychologist.
Initially, psychologists attributed the poor decision-making and bad behavior of their patients to personality flaws and weaknesses such as indulgence in destructive activities, laziness, and lack of discipline and fortitude. However, they learned quickly that chastising their patients compelled them to seek “treatment” elsewhere.
Note: In truth, their patients were seeking forgiveness – not instructions for corrective behavior.
A few psychologists proposed their patients may not be solely responsible for their poor decision-making and bad behavior. They attributed the poor decision-making and bad behavior of their patients to “external negative influences.” In effect, these few psychologists claimed someone or something caused their patients to fail.
This hypothesis was unfounded. However it was not unwarranted. If was out of the playbook of Sigmund Freud who believed (1) the personality of human beings is formed from childhood experience and (2) everything comes from the unconscious.
Note: The point of therapy is to “make the unconscious conscious.”
Naturally, the leading “external negative influences” cited were the most readily available to the psychologist – bad parenting, deficient education, bigotry, poverty, and other social maladies were the leading candidates.
Note: This is why the practice of having the patient tell the psychologist about their childhood became the standard protocol. Psychologists look for “hooks” on which to hang the poor decision-making and bad behavior of their clients.
The tactic of attributing poor decision-making and bad behavior to “external negative influences” was a boon for counseling. Patients felt better about their failings, and psychologists were rewarded with repeat business and glowing referrals.
Without objection from the APA, the tactic of attributing poor decision-making and bad behavior to “external negative influences” was left unchallenged. No one objected because, patients loved it, the psychologists were making good money, and the missing theory that explained human nature was not available to disprove the unproven unofficial hypothesis.