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Nonhuman Animal Research DVD Released
by Sangeeta Panicker
The APA Committee on Animal Research and Ethics (CARE) has released a DVD containing two new segments in its video series on the contributions of nonhuman animal research within basic and applied behavioral science. One segment, Recovery of Function, highlights research on learning and plasticity, focusing on the recovery of motor functions lost as the result of neural damage following injury to the brain or spinal cord.
The second segment, on the Significance of Touch, examines nonhuman animal research that reveals the primary role of physical touch and contact in healthy behavioral development throughout the lifespan.
The DVD also includes an older segment, previously released on VHS, entitled Psychopharmacology. This segment features nonhuman animal research on the nature and mechanisms of the effects of psychoactive drugs as well as the development of treatments for drug abuse.
The DVDs, which are appropriate for high school and introductory undergraduate classes, can be used to initiate discussions on the relevance and ethics of research with nonhuman animals. Teachers’ study guides that elaborate on the research depicted in each of the three segments are included in the DVD. Each segment has a running time of approximately 15 minutes.
Copies of the DVD can be obtained by emailing the Science Directorate or calling (+1/202) 336-6000.
Speakers Chosen for 2009 APA Distinguished Scientist Lecture Program
by Rachel Martin
Psychologists Alice H. Eagly, Susan Goldin-Meadow, and James S. Jackson have been selected as speakers for the 2009 APA Distinguished Scientist Lecture Program. Through this program, which is managed by the APA Science Directorate, each psychologist will give a featured address at a regional psychological association annual meeting.
Alice Eagly will speak on “Women as Leaders: Negotiating the Labyrinth” at the Western Psychological Association meeting, which will be held in Portland, OR, on April 23-26. Eagly is the James Padilla Chair of Arts and Sciences, Faculty Fellow of the Institute for Policy Research, and a Professor of Psychology at Northwestern University. She is a social psychologist whose primary work is on topics related to gender and to attitudes.
Susan Goldin-Meadow will speak at the Eastern Psychological Association meeting, which will be held in Pittsburgh, PA, on March 5-8. Her lecture will be on “How Our Hands Help Us Think.” Goldin-Meadow is the Beardsley Ruml Distinguished Service Professor in Psychology at the University of Chicago. Her research interests include language development and creation and the role of gesture in communicating, thinking, and learning.
James Jackson will speak on “Social Psychological Perspectives on Race and Ethnic Disparities in Health” at the Southeastern Psychological Association meeting, which will be held in New Orleans, LA, on February 18-21. Jackson is the Director of the Institute for Social Research and the Daniel Katz Distinguished University Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan. His research examines racial and ethnic influences on life course development, attitude change, reciprocity, social support, and coping and health among Blacks in the Diaspora.
The APA Board of Scientific Affairs, with support of the regional association presidents, established the Distinguished Scientist Lecture Program 19 years ago as part of its ongoing mission to promote psychological science. The Distinguished Scientist Lecturers, together with the G. Stanley Hall Lectures (sponsored by the APA Education Directorate), allow APA to support invited talks at each regional meeting. See the APA website for additional information about the regional psychological associations.
Society’s Grand Challenges: Insights from Psychological Science
by Kirk Waldroff
During the past year, the Science Directorate worked alongside then-APA President Alan E. Kazdin to develop his initiative on the grand challenges to society. As one of his presidential initiatives, the ultimate purpose of this endeavor was to identify these challenges and acknowledge how the science of psychology can be used to help in addressing them. From a long and well-thought list, three specific topics were chosen to receive special attention:
-Global Climate Change
-Health Disparities
-Prolonging Vitality
Once these topics were selected, the Science Directorate created and published a series of three booklets, one for each topic. Each booklet describes how psychological science is already contributing to and will continue to play a large role in addressing each of these grand challenges.
Currently the booklets are available to the public, free of charge, both in print and electronic formats (ordering details below). It is our goal to widely disseminate these booklets, with a particular interest in targeting educators and policy makers.
The New Year promises to be a crucial decision-making time, particularly regarding policies that will affect how we, as a society, address some of our greatest challenges. As we look forward, it is of increasing importance that we communicate the powerful role that psychological science can play in creating positive outcomes. These booklets aim to do just that. 
If you are interested in viewing the booklets you may do so online: www.apa.org/science/GCBooklets.html
If you wish to order printed copies, please contact Kirk Waldroff at the APA Science Directorate.
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