7 November 2011

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

News from the SPSSI Policy Blog

Congressional Hearing Puts Spotlight on Human Trafficking and Transnational Organized Crime.

Interview with Professor Tim Wilson, Author of Redirect: The Surprising New Science of Psychological Change.

Policy Events in Washington

Event Report: The Science of Why We Deny Science.

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

Scheduled for Debate: H.R. 822: National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011. More on H.R. 822.

Introduced on October 24: H.R. 3253: To protect children from sexual exploitation. More on H.R. 3253.

Introduced on October 25: H.R. 3254: To amend the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to ensure access to employment opportunities for low-income persons. More about H.R. 3254.

Hearing on October 27: House Ways and Means Subcommittee hearing on Human Resources, hearing on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for children. More about the hearing here.

Introduced on November 1: H.R. 3300: To establish the Federal Interagency Working Group on Reducing Poverty which will create and carry out a national plan to cut poverty in American in half in ten years. More on H.R. 3300.

Introduced on November 1: H.Res. 450: Expressing support for designation of the week beginning on November 14, 2011, as National School Psychology Week. More on H.Res. 450.

Hearing on November 2: Senate Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe hearing to examine human trafficking and Transnational Organized Crime, focusing on assessing trends and combat strategies, including the evolving nature of Transnational Organized Crime, the role of major international organized crime groups and smaller organized criminal syndicates in human trafficking, identified trends, and strategies to combat these organizations and prevent the trafficking of human beings. More information and transcripts here.

Introduced on November 3: H.R. 3341: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to stimulate international tourism to the United States. More on H.R. 3341.

US Congress: Heads Up!

November 10: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs hearing to examine opportunities and challenges for economic development in Indian country. Webcast here.

November 10: Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearings to examine Veterans' Affairs mental health care, focusing on addressing wait times and access to care. Webcast here.

Psychology and Social Issues in the News

Studying Flags, Pins, Hope From 2008 Election
The work of members Christopher Finn and Jack Glaser is covered in detail for an analysis of election signalling in Barack Obama's presidential camapaign. How did the factors of hope and race affect the outcome? Miller-McCune.

SBOS Prof. Allen Omoto Elected President of the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
Claremont Graduate University Announces the election of Professor Allen Omoto to SPSSI President 2013.

New Report: Sexuality and Human Rights
The International Council on Human Rights releases a new report which aims to look at the issue of sexuality and human rights to "help those working in the field of sexuality to measure the potential relevance of human rights, and help human rights advocates to look more inclusively and more deeply into the subject of sexuality."

People Are More Likley to Lie When Communicating Online
The blog, Peer-reviewed by My Neurons, looks at the work of SPSSI member Robert Feldman et al on how anonymity influences truth telling online.

Psychology to the Rescue
The BPS Research Digest has an interesting series of stories from well-known psychologists about what led them into their career. SPSSI members Susan Fiske, Ellen Langer, and Robert Sternberg feature.

Counting the Volunteers the World Counts On: a New Manual on the Measurement of Volunteer Work
"The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Johns Hopkins University Center for Civil Society Studies have released a new manual to help statistical agencies around the world track the amount, type and value of volunteer work in their countries."

A New Social Contract to Include a Global Jobs Pact
At Labour 20, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calls on the Leaders "to ensure a global recovery that is sustainable, inclusive and creates real change for those hit hardest. “To get out of this mess, we need a revolution in our thinking,” the Secretary-General told world leaders, highlighting sustainable development, women and youth, as investments that make the most sense for the most people." The ILO announces.

Your Brain on Facebook: Bigger Social Networks Expand the Size of Neural Networks
Scientific American looks at the influence of social media on the brain, and includes discussion on the work of member Patricia Greeberg et al regarding the theme of fame in popular culture.

The Case for Science in Africa
New Scientist looks at the ways that scientists, policymakers, and African governments are working together to build a stronger research agenda in Africa.

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

Immigration Issues
>> Immigration Policy Institute
>> Immigration Policy Center
>> Center for American Progress

American Indian Issues
>> National Congress of American Indians
>> Association on American Indian Affairs

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