24 October 2011

Policy news from the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
 

News from the SPSSI Policy Blog

OWS Protests: a Pick of the Best News

Policy Events in Washington

Event report: Gunfight The Battle over the Right to Bear Arms in America

On the Hill: A look at News from the US Congress

Scheduled for debate: H.R. 2919, The Community Shelter Protection Act of 2011, has been recommended by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. More on H.R. 2919.

Introduced on October 12: S. 1698: A bill to add engaging in or supporting hostilities against the United States to the list of acts for which United States nationals would lose their nationality. More on S. 1698.

Introduced on October 12: H.R. 3170: Promoting Alternatives to Truancy and Incarceration by Encouraging New and Comprehensive Efforts (PATIENCE) Act of 2011. More on H.R. 3170.

Introduced on October 12: H.R. 3163: Easy Voting Act of 2011. More on H.R. 3163.

Psychology and Social Issues in the News

#OWS: What Took So Long?
Miller-McCune looks into the motivations behind protest movements. Member Jon Jost shares insights from his own research.

How Our Brains Turn Women Into Objects
Scientific American reports on a study by members Mina Cikara, Jennifer Eberhardt, and Susan Fiske on how the context of pictures of women influences objectification by men.

Does Raising Awareness About Bullying Cause More Bullying?
Members Tim Wilson and Daniel Lassiter on why some policies that confront social issues with awareness raising are prone to problems. Blog, Why We Reason, reports.

OECD launches new report on measuring well-being
The OECD goes beyond traditional measures of economic well-being with the launch of satifaction measure, How's Life? reports the OECD Newsroom.

IFACCA launches WorldCP: international database of cultural policies
The International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies announces that it has released the International Database of Cultural Policies which aims to "facilitate exchange and cooperation around policy making and analysis" for national governments, policy-makers, partners and the international community.

One day is not enough to eradicate poverty - 2011 International Day
As International Day for the Eradication of Poverty passed on 17 October the International Council on Human Rights Policy sizes up the global challenges of an effective strategy.

Does Human Rights work face special challenges in assessing impact?
The International Council on Human Rights Policy Blog looks at effective ways to foster and measure change in human rights progress.

The struggles of the Syrian science community
Nature Magazine reports on another casualty of the Syrian conflict: science.

Further Resources

Find out what other organizations are doing on these issues

Academic Freedom and human rights
>> AAAS
>> Amnesty International
>> Union of Concerned Scientists
>> The Human Rights Council
 

SPSSI fact sheets and policy statements
>> Statement on the Psychological Consequences of Unemployment
>>Other Issues