Book Review: James Georgas, Lawrence G. Weiss, Fons J.R. van de Vijver, & Donald H. Saklofske (Eds.), Culture and Children's Intelligence: Cross-Cultural Analysis of the WISC-III. San Diego: Academic Press, 2003. 336 pp. Cloth: $89.95 (US), ISBN 0122800559

Abstract

Paul McHugh has never been afraid of controversy. As Chair at Johns Hopkins, he promoted empirical models to a new generation of psychiatrists. McHugh stands up and challenges most of the fads and errors that plague psychiatry.Early in his career, McHugh never accepted the unscientific theories of psychoanalysis. McHugh went on to oppose the antipsychiatry movement, showing how their crusade led to inhumane results for patients. He was among the first to note how treatment of veterans for supposed PTSD can make them worse, not better. He opposed surgical treatment for gender identity disorder. McHugh played his most prominent public role in pointing out the lack of validity of 'recovered memories' and in critiquing dubious concepts such as 'dissociative disorders.' (I remember him being interviewed on '60 Minutes' on the recovered memory issue -it was heartening, at last, to hear the voice of reason reach a wide public.) McHugh is a great rhetorician who maintains a tone of patient remonstrance, even when considering the most absurd ideas.This book is a collection of McHugh's essays, mostly written for intellectual journals such as American Scholar and Commentary. Most articles focus on issues in McHugh's own discipline, but a few concern medical ethics. When it comes to psychiatry, McHugh is nearly always on target. He presents views consistent with rigorous empiricism and the Oslerian traditions of medicine. In doing so, McHugh puts more romantic views of mental illness in their place.When it comes to medical ethics, where expertise meets philosophy, religion, and politics, McHugh's views go beyond the bounds of science. Thus, while most readers will agree with his criticism of the notorious Dr. Kevorkian, McHugh also thinks that Terry Schiavo was 'assassinated,' and that George Bush's restrictions on stem cell research were 'wise.' But right or wrong, McHugh is a powerful writer whose prose is both gripping and provocative.I cannot recommend this book too highly.