11-1-2013

SPSSI and Social Psychology in the News

I'm No Hero. But, Wait,-There's a Camera!  New method to combat the bystander effect? (Pacific Standard).  

For Low-Income Families, Substandard Housing Takes Toll On Children. Low income housing linked to children's anxiety, depression, lying, and aggression. (Science Daily). 

The Social Life of Genes.  Can loneliness and other social experiences affect our genes? (Pacific Standard). 

The Mental Strain of Making Do With Less. How is dieting cognitively similar to poverty?  (New York Times).  

Gov't Shutdown Science: Why Human Nature Is to Blame. Was the government shutdown a result of normal psychological processes? SPSSI's Matt Motyl contributes. (Live Science).  

Losing Is Good for You. SPSSI's Carol Dweck contributes to research on the benefits of struggle. (New York Times).  

Rich People Just Care Less. NY Times cites SPSSI members investigating the effects of wealth inequality on empathy.

'Belief superiority': A reason for the political Impasse? Washington Post reports on the link between extremity of views and confidence in their correctness.

On the Hill: News from the U.S. Congress

October 16, 2013: H.R. 3297, To amend the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965 to authorize the use of funds for the inclusion in domestic violence education programs of information on legal rights available to teenage victims of dating violence.  Read more here.

October 22, 2013: H.Res. 387, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding sexually exploited and trafficked girls in the U.S. Referred to Committee.  Read more here.

October 22, 2013: H.R. 2083, Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act. This bill passed in the House and goes to the Senate next for consideration. Read more here.  

Hearings/Briefings

October 23, 2013: Creating Peace and Finding Justice in Colombia, Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. SPSSI submitted testimony summarizing the psychological literature on truth commissions. 

October 29, 2013: "Stand Your Ground" Laws: Civil Rights and Public Safety Implications of the Expanded Use of Deadly Force, Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights. SPSSI submitted a research summary of psychological contributions to the debate around Stand Your Ground laws. 

Further Resources

SPSSI immigration fact-sheet

SPSSI racial profiling fact-sheet

SPSSI list of experts

Click here for more SPSSI policy information