Psychological Science Agenda

A publication of the Science Directorate

May 2005 |Vol. 19, No. 5

APA Urges Congress to Support VA Research

By Heather O'Beirne Kelly

VA psychologists continue to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research on, assessment of and treatment for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Essentialism in Everyday Thought
Essentialism is the view that certain categories (e.g., women, racial groups, dinosaurs, original Picasso artwork) have an underlying reality or true nature that one cannot observe directly.
By Susan A. Gelman, PhD

Ethics for Psychological Scientists
As a scientific discipline and as a profession, it is important for psychology to articulate its ethical principles. It gives us credibility and respect.
By Steven Breckler, PhD

Kanwisher, Medin Elected to National Academy of Sciences
Nancy Kanwisher, professor of cognitive neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Douglas Medin, professor of psychology at Northwestern University, were elected to the National Academy of Sciences this spring.
2005 APA Meritorious Research Service Commendations Awarded
Four psychologists were awarded the Meritorious Research Service Commendation. This award, developed by the Board of Scientific Affairs (BSA) recognizes outstanding psychologists who help foster the discipline through their programmatic activities in support of psychological science.
By Suzanne Wandersman
NAS releases new report: Facilitating Interdisciplinary Research
The Committee on National Academics Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy (COSEPUP), commissioned an Academy committee (Committee on Facilitating Interdisciplinary Research) to review the state of interdisciplinary research and education and recommend how to foster them.
By Merry Bullock, PhD
Report from the Board of Scientific Affairs
Review of BSA Board meeting in Leesburg, VA in March 2005
By Ronald T. Brown, PhD

May 2005 Announcements
Bullock to move to the Office of International Affairs; Methodology and Measurement in the Behavioral and Social Sciences; APF/COGDOP Graduate Research Scholarships in Psychology; Award for Distinguished Service to Psychological Science; Input Needed on Standards for Educational Evaluation; Call for Nominations: Decade of Behavior Awards; Grants Available for Scientific Conferences

Keep up with policy issues that affect psychological science at the national level.