12-5-2011

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

News from the SPSSI Policy Blog

Science and US Government Budgeting

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

Introduced on November 18: H.R. 3493: To establish a commission to study employment and economic insecurity in the United States workforce. More on H.R. 3493.

Introduced on November 18: H.R. 3498: To provide for high-quality academic tutoring for low-income students, and for other purposes. More on H.R. 3498.

Introduced on November 30: S. 1925: A bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. More on S. 1925.

Introduced on December 1: H.R. 3543: National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011. More on H.R. 3543.

US Congress: Heads Up!

Coming up on December 6: Hearings to examine whistleblower protections for government contractors. A webcast will be available here.

Coming up on December 8: Hearings to examine opportunities and challenges to address domestic and global water supply issues. A webcast will be available here.

Psychology and Social Issues in the News

Europe’s Conflict: A Clash of Religious and Cultural Identities
The International Human Rights Policy Blog looks at growing debate on multi-culturalism in Europe and the role that human rights can play.

An unending supply of willpower? All it takes is believing
The blog Psych Your Mind looks at recent research by SPSSI members Dweck and Walton on how will-power can be improved.

When You Try to Buy Status, It Can Backfire
A series of social psychology studies are reviewed in this probing article on the links betwen status, material wealth, and well-being in Scientific American.

Career progression for women in psychology
Jon Sutton in The Psychologist  writes about a recent meeting of psychologists on the subject of psychological research and the glass ceiling in women's careers.

The future we want
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs reports on the mission and goals of Rio+20 on sustainable development.

Global South-South Development Expo 2011: ILO Solution Exchange Forum on social protection, decent work and food security
The ILO will be hosting a Solution Exchange Forum on social protection, decent work and food security on 6 December at FAO headquarters in Rome.

Racism Against Whites vs. Minorities: Is It the Same Thing?
Member Rudy Mendoza-Denton comments on contemporary debate about racism, diversity, and affirmative action in Psychology Today.

Tackling inequality
The OECD is releasing a new report which addresses what governments can do about rising inequality.

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