Dr. Laura H. Barbanel

* What specific psychology scientific initiatives would you promote during your presidential year?

As an academic, I know the issue of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) is important to researchers in psychology. IRBs cause frustration because they are bureaucratic and overvigilant. Instead of facilitating research they put roadblocks in the way. Their focus is typically biomedical research with little understanding of behavioral research. APA needs to take a proactive stand through educational training for both IRBs and for researchers. IRBs need to have greater understanding of behavioral research, and researchers a better understanding of the process in order to get their research done. This is an important effort for all of psychology.

* How would you enhance resources for the APA Practice Organization?

The Practice Organization (APAPO) is important to the evolution of professional psychology. For APAPO to be effective, it has to have substantial funds. This might be obtained through products that can be developed and sold--an effort currently in process. But before products can reach their full potential, resources are needed. Borrowing is a possible way to raise revenue. As a fledgling organization, finding a lender is not easy. A viable possibility to be studied both legally and financially is for APA to lend money to APAPO. If this is possible, it would serve all of psychology well.