Dr Paul Wilson, Chair of Criminology at Bond University distressed readers with comments published in The Age on 08.07.06. Dr Wilson said that white collar criminals ' can sometimes have an almost psychotic personality... they know how to manipulate others'.
Readers were concerned that the inaccurate and inappropriate use of 'psychotic' would perpetuate community misunderstanding and stigma surrounding psychotic illness.
StigmaWatch wrote to Dr Wilson urging him to ensure that any future reference to mental illness is relevant and accurate.
Dr Wilson replied, stating 'It is possible that I made a verbal slip in the interview and if so I wholeheartedly apologise. I doubt that I did and I suspect that it was the reporter's loose interpretation of my language. Regardless, I agree completely with your comments and once again express my apologies'
can sometimes have an almost psychotic personality... they know how to manipulate others'.