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2008 APA Convention Press Releases and Media Advisories
Among the highlights are talks on how emotions influence voting behavior; the link between lead and low IQ; new traumatic stress treatments for children and war veterans; and the world's obesity epidemic and solutions for eating better.
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APA statement on interrogation (08/16/08)
BOSTON—APA has specifically prohibited 19 interrogation techniques as torture, noting that this list is not exhaustive. No psychologist should ever have any involvement, direct or indirect, in the use of such techniques, which include waterboarding, hooding, forced nudity or stress positions, in an interrogation.
APA Task Force Finds Single Abortion Not a Threat to Women's Mental Health (08/12/08)
BOSTON—There is no credible evidence that a single elective abortion of an unwanted pregnancy in and of itself causes mental health problems for adult women, according to a draft report released Tuesday by a task force of the American Psychological Association.
Genes May Make Some People More Prone to Anxiety (8/10/08)
WASHINGTON—Inborn differences may help explain why trauma gives some people bad memories and others the nightmare of post-traumatic stress. Scientists in Germany and the United States have reported evidence linking genes to anxious behavior.
Data Mining Detects Signs of Lou Gehrig's Disease in Gene Carriers Long Before Symptoms Appear (8/03/08)
WASHINGTON—Inspired by the use of microarray chips that look for gene combinations, psychologists are using "pattern array" software to spot movements in rats that might help them predict diseases such as Lou Gehrig's syndrome.
Academic Problems in First Grade Linked to Depression in Middle School, According to New Study (7/18/08)
WASHINGTON—Black first-graders – especially girls – who are already performing poorly in school are at risk of being depressed by the time they reach junior high, according to an analysis of hundreds of African-American students in Baltimore.
Men and Women Are Programmed Differently When It Comes to Reacting to Temptation, According to Study (7/10/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Temptation may be everywhere, but it's how the different sexes react to flirtation that determines the effect it will have on their relationships.
New 'Everyday Cognition' Scale Tracks How Older Adults Function in Daily Life (7/1/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Short screening test can reveal status of basic mental abilities and follow changes over time.
Fourth of July 2008: Experts Available to Discuss the Psychology of Patriotism (6/25/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Psychologists can provide perspectives into the minds of Americans as well as examine the psychology of patriotism during wartime.
Best-selling author Dr. Dawn Huebner to discuss kids and sleep on NBC's The Today Show (6/11/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Tune in to NBC's The Today Show on June 18th for best-selling author Dr. Dawn Huebner's discussion of kids, sleep, and What to Do When You Dread Your Bed.
Father's Day 2008 and Men's Health Week: Experts Available to Discuss Non-traditional Father Roles and What Men Do to Get and Stay Healthy (6/09/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Besides the traditional fatherhood roles portrayed in the media, dads can be single, gay, adoptive or step parents, as well as caregivers to physically or psychologically challenged children.
APA Response to the China Earthquake and Myanmar Cyclone (6/04/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—This information is intended to orient psychologists to effective disaster response contributions.
Study Finds 21st Birthday Binge Drinking Extremely Common; Can Pose Serious Health Hazards (5/19/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—In the largest study of its kind, researchers at the University of Missouri determined that many college students drink to excess on their 21st birthdays and potentially jeopardize their health.
APA Annual Convention Highlights (5/12/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Information of interest to Reporters/Editors/Producers regarding the American Psychological Association 116th Annual Convention in Boston, Aug. 14-17, 2008.
APA Awards Outstanding Psychology Teachers with the Excellence in Teaching Award (5/9/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Three high school teachers have been selected by the American Psychological Association's Committee of Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS) for its prestigious TOPSS Excellence in Teaching Award.
Racial Discrimination Has Different Mental Health Effects On Asians Depending On Ethnic Identity, Age And Birthplace, Study Shows (5/8/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—The first national study of Asians living in the United States shows that for some individuals, strong ties to their ethnicity can guard against the negative effects of racism. For others, strong ties to ethnicity can actually make the negative effects of discrimination worse.
Mother's Day 2008: Experts Available to Discuss the Role Mothers Play in Their Childrens' Lives (5/6/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—As you prepare stories marking this year's Mother's Day, May 11, psychologists are available to provide insight and perspective.
Too Many Choices – Good or Bad – Can Be Mentally Exhausting (5/1/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Researchers show that people have less stamina, are less productive when they have more choices.
Rat study suggests why teens get hooked on cocaine more easily than adults, and find it harder to quit (4/21/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—New drug research suggests that teens may get addicted and relapse more easily than adults because developing brains are more powerfully motivated by drug-related cues.
Earth Day 2008: Experts Available to Discuss How Psychology Can Address Environmental Challenges, Climate Change (4/17/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—As you prepare stories commemorating Earth Day on April 22, psychologists are available to provide depth and perspective.
Transcript: APA oral testimony to Senate committee on "Making the VA the workplace of choice" (4/9/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—APA supports VA’s efforts to recruit new psychologists, testified Randy Phelps, PhD, APA Deputy Executive Director for Professional Practice, to the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. However, he said, policies and procedures can be improved to promote recruitment and retention of psychologists.
APA Co-sponsors Congressional Briefing on How Genes Influence the Development of Drug Abuse and Addiction (4/1/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Experts will discuss the latest research on the role of genetics in developing successful treatments for quitting smoking, recovering from drug addiction.
Cooperative Classrooms Lead to Better Friendships, Higher Achievement in Young Adolescents (3/27/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Students competing for resources in the classroom while discounting each others’ success are less likely to earn top grades than students who work together toward goals and share their success, according to an analysis of 80 years of research.
Top Employers Show Investing in Health and Well-being Leads to Business Success (3/10/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Workplaces that invest in the well-being of employees reap rewards for employer and employees alike.
Bullying More Harmful than Sexual Harassment on the Job, Say Researchers (3/8/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Workplace bullying, such as belittling comments, persistent criticism of work and withholding resources, appears to inflict more harm on employees than sexual harassment.
Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 (H.R.1424) Statement by Randy Phelps, Ph.D. (3/5/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—"Today's passage of the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 brings us closer to ensuring equal treatment for millions of Americans with mental health and substance use disorders."
APA Co-Sponsors Conference on Work, Stress and Health (2/29/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Experts from around the globe will present findings on the impact of work on employee stress, health and productivity and family relationships.
APA Task Force Urges Integrated Health Care Model as Population Ages (2/26/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Developing a model of integrated health care is essential as the U.S. population ages, and mental health care providers can make unique and critical contributions to this paradigm.
Children Show Goal-Oriented Behavior by Age 3 (2/19/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Researchers found that by around age 3, children appear to shape their behavior in response to the outcomes they've come to expect.
'Internet Predator' Stereotypes Debunked in New Study (2/18/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Contrary to stereotype, most Internet sex offenders are not adults who target young children by posing as another youth.
Education, Health and Religious Organizations Unite to Keep Students Safe (2/14/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—A diverse coalition of 13 national organizations has joined in a renewed effort to protect the safety and emotional well-being of students, including those who are at higher risk because of their sexual orientation.
Artificial Sweeteners Linked to Weight Gain (2/10/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Researchers have laboratory evidence that the widespread use of no-calorie sweeteners may actually make it harder for people to control their intake and body weight.
Valentine's Day 2008: Experts Available to Discuss Psychology of Love, Relationships and Romance from the Teenage Years to Later Life (2/7/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—For most people, Valentine's Day calls up images of flowers, chocolate, cards, candlelit dinners and other expressions of l'amour. But what is this crazy little thing called love?
APA Sponsors Congressional Briefing on Stress-related Disorders of Returning Military Personnel and Effect on their Families (2/7/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—A panel of military and mental health experts will address the impact of trauma facing the returning soldier and its effect on family members.
New Research Finds Equal Level of Commitment and Relationship Satisfaction Among Same-Sex and Heterosexual Couples (1/22/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Finding disputes the stereotype that couples in same-sex relationships are not as committed as their heterosexual counterparts and are therefore not as psychologically healthy.
Martin Luther King Day 2008: Experts Available to Discuss the Psychology of Racism, Stereotyping, Social Change (1/17/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—While Martin Luther King Day is a day on which to celebrate the life and achievements of a great civil rights leader, it is also a day to reflect upon how far our nation has to go to end the scourge of racism and for discussing means to change associated attitudes and behaviors.
Seasoned Independent Practitioner Tapped to Lead Practice Directorate of American Psychological Association (1/15/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Katherine C. Nordal, PhD, a longtime independent practitioner with broad experience advocating for the profession of psychology on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures, has been named executive director for professional practice at the American Psychological Association.
Bisexuality Not a Transitional Phase among women, According to New Research (1/15/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Bisexuality in women appears to be a distinctive sexual orientation and not an experimental or transitional stage that some women adopt “on their way” to lesbianism, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.
Media Psychologists: Educating the public; demystifying psychotherapy and modeling professional ethics. (1/10/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Bringing their knowledge to the millions of media consumers can help demystify mental health issues and give valuable mental health advice to people who might not otherwise seek or have access to such care. However, there are also professional and ethical obligations for psychologists doing media work.
Baylor College of Medicine's James H. Bray elected 2009 President of American Psychological Association (1/04/08)
WASHINGTON, DC—Psychologist James H. Bray, PhD, associate professor of family and community medicine and psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine and adjunct psychology professor at the University of Houston, has been elected president of the American Psychological Association (APA) for 2009.
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