Applying Psychological Science, Benefiting Society
By J. Judd Harbin, PhD (Arkansas) and Melissa J. Grey, PhD (Michigan), APA Division 44 (Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues) Public Policy Committee Members Working matters. In his classic 1974 work titled Working, Studs Terkel observed that, despite the stresses of one’s job duties, working provides a person […]
By Melba J. T. Vasquez, PhD, ABPP (2011 Past-President of the American Psychological Association) Stop me if you’ve heard these statements before. “Immigrants take away jobs from American citizens.” “Immigrants come over to live off our social services.” “They refuse to learn English.” Not only are these statements oftentimes false, they create unnecessary confusion about and […]
By Judith M. Glassgold, PsyD (Assoc. Exec. Director, APA’s Public Interest Government Relations Office) “In every generation, action frees our dreams” (1994 Theme for National Women’s History Month). Hi, let me introduce myself. I am the new Associate Executive Director of Government Relations in APA’s Public Interest (PI) Directorate. I am also a long-time APA […]
By Benjamin Vonachen (Senior Legislative Assistant, PI Government Relations Office) Can evidence-based psychological science be a persuasive voice in immigration reform? The already passionate immigration debate before the U.S. Senate struck an emotional tone when Senator Al Franken (D-MN) took to the floor to address the issue of children/parent separations caused by immigration proceedings. “Over […]
By Efua Andoh (Public Interest Communications Staff) On August 28, tens of thousands of Americans from every walk of life gathered to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington at the Lincoln Memorial. Various speakers, including Presidents Carter, Clinton and Obama, gave stirring speeches reflecting on the legacy left by Dr. King and those intrepid marchers via […]
By Efua Andoh (Public Interest Communications Staff) With the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington approaching, we interviewed Henry Tomes, PhD, an esteemed psychologist who was the first African American to receive a PhD from Penn State University and the former Executive Director for APA’s Public Interest Directorate. Dr. Tomes reflected on the […]
By Efua Andoh (PI Communications Staff) The 2013 APA Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii wrapped up over the weekend. Our colleagues at the APA Convention blog were furiously documenting a wide swath of sessions and events on topics ranging from assisting the wrongfully incarcerated to why Americans are reluctant to discuss race. Here is a rundown of […]
By Kerry Bolger, PhD (Public Interest Government Relations Office) Did you know that the U.S. incarcerates more of its kids per capita than any other developed nation—and that we spend about $5 billion a year of taxpayers’ money to keep them locked up? Is that because a lot more kids in America are committing violent […]
By Erin Andrews, PsyD, ABPP (APA Committee on Disability Issues in Psychology) My interest in parenting and disability goes beyond the professional. I am a rehabilitation psychologist, but I am also a disabled parent myself. In an earlier post, I described the experiences that parents like myself go through. Today, I intend to outline the […]
By Erin Andrews, PsyD, ABPP (APA Committee on Disability Issues in Psychology) What does Mother’s Day mean to you? For me, it means enjoying the company of my beautiful son, Gavin, and loving and supportive fiancé, Todd. It also means having my rights as a mother protected. I am a rehabilitation psychologist and I care […]
Psychology Benefits Society 