02-06-12

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

News from the SPSSI Policy Blog

Diplomacy and posturing on Iran

"Self-deportation" and the U.S. immigration debate

Event report: AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition Meeting

Event report: A Discussion on the Obama Administration’s National Security Policy at CAP

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

Scheduled for Debate on Janurary 24: H.Res. 522: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1173) to repeal the CLASS program. More on H.Res 522.

Introduced on January 24: H.R. 3823: To authorize the cancellation of removal and adjustment of status of certain aliens who are long-term United States residents and who entered the United States as children, and for other purposes. More on H.R. 3823.

Introduced on January 24: S.J.Res. 35: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to authorizing regulation of contributions to candidates for State public office and Federal office... More on S.J. Res. 35.

Introduced on January 24: S. 2034: A bill to impose sanctions with respect to human rights abuses committed against the people of Syria, and for other purposes. More on S. 2034.

Introduced on January 24: H.R. 3814: To prohibit the Department of Justice from tracking and cataloguing the purchases of multiple rifles and shotguns. More on H.R. 3814.

Introduced on January 25: H.R. 3828: Military Religious Freedom Protection Act. More on H.R. 3828.

Introduced on January 26: S. 2037: A bill to reauthorize and improve the Older Americans Act of 1965, and for other purposes. More on S. 2037.

Introduced on January 30: S. 2043: A bill to amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to provide religious conscience protections for individuals and organizations. More on S. 2043.

Passed House on February 1: H.R. 3567: Welfare Integrity Now for Children and Families Act of 2011. More on H.R. 3567.

Scheduled for Debate on February 2: S. 1925: Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2011. More about S. 1925.

Coming up on February 9: Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing to examine the Department of Justice's opinion on internet gaming, focusing on what's at stake for tribes. Watch here.

Coming up on February 16: Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing to examine energy development in Indian country. Watch here.

Coming up on March 14: Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing to examine ending homelessness among veterans, focusing on Veterans' Affairs progress on its five year plan. Watch here.

Psychology and Social Issues in the News

Kurt Lewin – ‘Contemporaneity’ Rule
The Tavistock Institute in the UK is running a series of lectures on the influence of social psycghologist Kurt Lewin.

What Bankruptcy and Racial Bias Mean for the Presidential Election
In his blog in Psychologist Today, SPSSI Member, Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton, considers the implications of some new findings showing the racial incidence of sentencing for debtors.

Going green: APA is fostering environmental sustainability on several fronts
The APA Monitor celebrates the work of SPSSI member Janet Swim on advancing sustainability research and social policies. It also notes the significance of SPSSI's miniconvention with the Society for Environmental, Population and Conservation Psychology on "the three E's": environment, education and equity at the 2012 APA Convention.

New SRCD report: Reducing Prejudice and Promoting Equity in Childhood
SPSSI Member Melanie Killen has authored a new report for the Society for Research in Child Development.

Scotland's social mind will settle independence vote
Members Dominic Abrams and Peter Grank write an interesting piece on the prospects for Scotland and it's future as part of the United Kindom in New Scientist.

Queen's Diamond Jubilee: 60-year reign marks 'the year of Britishness'
Dominic Abrams writes on events in the UK in 2012 and national identity in BPS News.

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