ABSTRACT
The GAP reports and symposia that comprise this volume were selected because they all concern the application of psychiatric principles to broad social problems. Despite their wide variations as to form, style and date of publication (the first two reports reprinted here appeared in 1950 and the last was written in 1964), a consistent guiding principle is discernible throughout this span of years: that of the social responsibility of psychiatry. Since this is so basic to GAP’s entire program, Report #13, “The Social Responsibility of Psychiatry, A Statement of Orientation,” can also serve as an introductory statement pertinent to all the other parts of this book. It is therefore the first of the reports to be presented here; those that follow may be viewed as a series of endeavors toward fulfilling the social responsibility of which Report #13 is an initial declaration.
