One of the key priorities in APA’s new strategic plan is to apply psychological knowledge to critical societal issues. As we have pursued this priority, it has become clear that the general public often does not recognize when there is applicable knowledge from our field that could be useful and as a result, does not turn to our field when seeking solutions. But a less obvious and even more significant challenge is that complex problems are frequently framed in a way that omits the human element—human cognition, emotion, and behavior—rendering psychological knowledge irrelevant.
The good news is that during the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing a change in this tendency with more leaders and the media calling on APA for expertise across a range of topics. Nevertheless, there is still much work to do on this issue.
Here are just a few recent examples of how we are attempting to reframe issues so the public will more routinely recognize when psychological science and expertise may be helpful.
- Crisis communications. During the pandemic, most leaders and public officials have recognized the importance of effective communication with their constituents. However, they often do not recognize the importance of understanding how the emotional state of the listener can impact people’s perceptions, risk propensity, and willingness to act. APA has educated political and business leaders about this science.
- Employee safety. As businesses grapple with returning their employees to their worksites, CEOs are often narrowly focused on preparing their work spaces. They tend to ignore the importance of simultaneously preparing their staff by addressing critical issues such as psychological safety and perceived control. APA is helping leaders understand how these factors play into a successful transition.
- Vaccine hesitancy. Once COVID-19 vaccines were developed, the country’s attention turned immediately to the logistics of dissemination. These plans, however, have not reflected enough of what we know about human behavior to encourage consistently strong vaccine uptake, particularly for communities that have historically been wary of our health care system. Through this issue of the Monitor and more, APA is raising awareness of factors shaping vaccination-related behavior and offering guidance around psychological strategies—like appealing to people’s altruistic tendencies—to help steer the nation toward health and safety.
All three of these examples illustrate the importance of incorporating the human element into how we address complex challenges. As a field, we must continue to seek out opportunities to reframe issues, and in doing so, elevate the role that psychology can play in improving people’s lives.