3-5-2012

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

News from the SPSSI Policy Blog

2012 James Marshall Post-Doctoral Public Policy Fellowship

Affirmative action and psychology

Event report: Empowering Rural Women

Psychology and Social Issues in the News

World Day of Social Justice 2012: Somavia calls for commitment to a “new era of social justice”
The quest for dignity and justice is at the center of the World Day of Social Justice.

Beautiful explanations
SPSSI members Meyer and Zimbardo feature in this interesting article about currents of thinking in evolutionary psychology in The Psychologist News.

Jeremy Lin and Racism: How Subtle Discrimination Affects Targets
Member Rodolpho Mendoza-Denton blogs in Psychology Today about new basketball sensation Jeremy Lin and the characteristics of subtle and blatant discrimination.

'Disaster Junkies' Form Backbone of US Safety Net
The New York Times looks at research published by SPSSI on the pscyhology of volunteering.

#RIP Twitter Celebrity Death Hoaxes
In her blog in Psychology Today, SPSSI member Pamela Rutledge explores the psychology of why hoaxes can be so effective on social media sites like Twitter.

Who’s Saving Electricity in Your Neighborhood?
Miller-McCune feautures a facinating article on how behavioral science is informing policies that encourage conservation of energy. The work of SPSSI member Wesley Schultz and Robert Cialdini is discussed.

Diversity Is Whatever You Want It to Be
The research of SPSSI member Michel Unzueta on differences in individual and organizational understandings of diversity is discussed in the blog Peer-reviewd by My Neurons.

Robot prejudice
BPS Research Digest looks into the work of SPSSI member Dieta Kuchenbrandt et al on how an experimental response to robot characteristics reflected ingroup prejudices.

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

Introduced on February 27: H.Res. 564: Recognizing the critical importance of the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP), formerly called the food stamp program. More on H.Res. 564.

February 29: House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security hearing, "The U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services Office". Watch the video here.

Passed House on March 1: H.Res. 556: Condemning the Government of Iran for its continued persecution, imprisonment, and sentencing of Youcef Nadarkhani on the charge of apostasy. More on H.Res. 556.

Introduced on March 1: H.R. 4130: To award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal to Althea Gibson, in recognition of her ground breaking achievements in athletics and her commitment to ending racial discrimination and prejudice within the world of athletics. More on H.R. 4130.

Introduced on March 1: H.Res. 569: Recognizing the tenth anniversary of the tragic communal violence in Gujarat, India. More on H.Res. 569.

Passed Senate on March 1: S.Res. 387: A resolution celebrating Black History Month. More on S.Res. 387.

March 7: Senate Judiciary hearings to examine lending discrimination practices and foreclosure abuses. Watch video here.

Introduced on March 2: S. 2152: A bill to promote United States policy objectives in Syria, including the departure from power of President Bashar Assad and his family, the effective transition to a democratic, free, and secure country, and the promotion of a prosperous future in Syria. More on S. 2152.

Introduced on February 29: H.R. 4115: Helping Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Return to Employment at Home Act. More on H.R. 4115.

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

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