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Abuser Quote by Anna Salter

“In projecting onto others their own moral sense, therapists sometimes make terrible errors. Child physical abusers are automatically labeled “impulsive," despite extensive evidence that they are not necessarily impulsive but more often make thinking errors that justify the assaults. Sexual and…” quote by Anna Salter
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““In projecting onto others their own moral sense, therapists sometimes make terrible errors. Child physical abusers are automatically labeled “impulsive," despite extensive evidence that they are not necessarily impulsive but more often make thinking errors that justify the assaults. Sexual and physical offenders who profess to be remorseful after they are caught are automatically assumed to be sincere. After all, the therapist would feel terrible if he or she did such a thing. It makes perfect sense that the offender would regret abusing a child. People routinely listen to their own moral sense and assume that others share it. Thus, those who are malevolent attack others as being malevolent, as engaging in dirty tricks, as being “in it for the money,“ and those who are well meaning assume others are too, and keep arguing logically, keep producing more studies, keep expecting an academic debate, all the time assuming that the issue at hand is the truth of the matter. Confessions of a Whistle-Blower: Lessons Learned Author: Anna C. Salter. Ethics & Behavior, Volume 8, Issue 2 June 1998 p122””

Anna Salter

About This Quote

Source Journal Article: Ethics & Behavior, 1998

Therapists project their own moral judgments onto clients, leading to mischaracterizations of offenders’ motives and sincerity.

In simple terms: Therapists misjudge offenders by projecting personal morals.

Key Takeaway

Beware of moral projection in professional judgments.

Themes

ethics psychology bias clinical practice

Mood

critical analytical

Type

professional educational

When to use this quote

  • therapy supervision
  • ethical training
  • research on therapist bias

Key Concepts

moral projection cognitive bias clinical assessment

Questions to Reflect On

  • What safeguards can prevent moral projection?
  • How can therapists better assess client motives?
A Different Perspective

May not account for cultural differences in moral frameworks.

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