At its December 1981 meeting, the members of the Association voted to issue a statement regarding the threat of nuclear war. A statement, excerpted below, was sent to President Reagan, the Cabinet, Members of Congress, and the Secretary General of the United Nations by Dr. Arnold M. Cooper, President of the Association, on behalf of the members of the American Psychoanalytic Association.

“The American Psychoanalytic Association joins other professional and scientific societies in urging responsible citizens and government officials to devote themselves anew to the reduction of nuclear arms and the ultimate abolition of the threat of nuclear war. …

“While no reasonable person would knowingly take actions which would risk total human destruction, the consequences of nuclear war have a dimension of horror which induces automatic psychological mechanisms of defense which tend to lead us away from fears which exceed our capacity to cope. These mechanisms can lead to denial and distortions which blind us to the danger, lull immediate fears, and lead to potentially deadly behaviors. A recent study demonstrates the extent to which American adolescents, perceiving the threat of nuclear extermination as part of their lives, are guided by that perception in many of their behaviors, while simultaneously attempting to proceed with 'business as usual! It is characteristic of the human mind that we are unable rationally to plan for events which exceed the range of emotional tolerance. …

“Those of us with psychological knowledge must take responsibility for bringing that knowledge to bear upon the task of awakening individuals and groups to the danger of our current course. Our experience of human behavior makes us aware not only of our potential for irrational and self-destructive actions but, also, of our capacity for problem-solving, altruism and self-preservative behavior.”