April 2006 | Monitor on Psychology | Vol. 37 No. 4
COVER: The goods on gossip
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Have you heard the latest?
Gossip is more than just idle chatter, according to recent research. It helps us navigate our complex social world.
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Bonding over others' business
About 65 percent of people's discussions involve gossip—often to entertain or help strengthen group ties.
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Learned it through the grapevine
Gossip may teach people about social norms and the consequences of violating them.
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Whispers as weapons
Gossip can be a potent tool for forging alliances—and ostracizing others.
SCIENCE WATCH
Knowledge of statistics may not keep people from gambling, but carefully designed warning messages might.
IN BRIEF
- Extraversion, agreeableness linked to happiness in orangutans
- Control over day-to-day tasks can reduce fatigue
- Self-consciousness affects drinking in sororities and fraternities
- Both sexes seek attractiveness in one-night stand partners
- Psychologist describes mental health response to Katrina at Hill briefing
- Recruitment fair aims to increase clinical psychology's diversity
- More protection for psychologists' records in renewed Patriot Act
ETHICS ROUNDS
Being an ethical clinician entails differentiating our needs and desires from those of our clients and determining which of our needs and desires are appropriately met through our clinical work.
FEATURES
APA's Council of Representatives has approved a change in the association's licensure policy, among other actions.
Olivia Moorehead-Slaughter chaired the APA Presidential Task Force on Psychological Ethics and National Security (PENS) and is current chair of the APA Ethics Committee. At the February Council of Representatives meeting, she provided an update on implementation of council's August 2005 actions regarding the PENS report and process. The Monitor reprints her remarks here.
Psychologists are helping police and juries rethink the role of eyewitness identifications and testimony.
Many Americans resort to unhealthy habits to help manage extreme stress, a new survey suggests.
A psychologist's multidimensional employee wellness initiative at the University of Missouri emphasizes mind-body health.
Telehealth initiatives offer support and rehabilitation services in remote locations.
Psychologists help troops handle the stresses of combat in Iraq and the anxieties of coming home.
Two psychologist-led programs offer help to Rwanda's walking wounded.
Psychologist Vickie Mays contributed to a report recommending that researchers gather more health data on race, ethnicity and primary language.
Seven geropsychology training efforts have lost funding they receive through the federal Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) Program.
APA recognizes three graduate programs that transcend the traditional.
Psychologists team with engineers to put new technology to use in the classroom.
A CLOSER LOOK
The Society for the Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts extends membership to anyone with an interest in the arts and psychology.
EARLY-CAREER PSYCHOLOGY
New jobs often require learning new cultures as well as new skills. Here's how to thrive in your new setting and retain your identity as a psychologist.
PUBLIC POLICY UPDATE
Advocacy could stave off funding cuts many key federal programs face in the proposed budget.
COLUMNS
From the CEO
In the Public Interest
Judicial Notebook
President's Column
Science Directions