Psychologists for Social Responsibility is a vibrant, diverse, and growing community of members and supporters. Spanning a range of disciplinary perspectives and professional backgrounds, we share a commitment to the application of psychological knowledge in addressing today's pressing societal challenges and in building cultures of peace with social justice. Information about joining PsySR and about renewing your membership is available on our Join PsySR page.
Themes for the Year
PsySR has established four themes for 2008-2009: Ending Torture, Exploring Psychological Dimensions of Climate Change, Promoting Peacebuilding and Reconciliation,and Promoting Peace Education. Each theme has an Action Committee through which members can become involved.
End Torture Action Committee
Over the last 20 years, journalists, human rights workers, and torture survivors have traced U.S. complicity in the design and implementation of torture to the highest ranks of American government. Throughout this history, psychological principles have been abused to abet physical torture and to bring about the devastation of the human psyche.
As socially responsible psychologists, we recognize our professional activities must center on enhancing the quality of human existence while protecting the integrity of our science.
PsySR’s End Torture Action Committee resists those processes that have legitimized the world wide use of torture and related abuses. We work to rollback institutional polices that perpetuate state sponsored torture. And we aim to restore the integrity of our profession to one that upholds international human rights and truly realizes our ethical commitment to “do no harm.” Learn More »
Environmental Protection and Justice Action Committee
Human activities on a global scale are clearly threatening ecological systems, putting our collective global security at risk. PsySR's Environmental Protection and Justice Action Committee works to advance peace and social justice by promoting sustainable use of resources, healthy habitats, and environmental justice. Learn More »
Peacebuilding and Reconciliation Action Committee
In the wake of group violence, the work of social healing, reconciliation, and building sustainable communities poses complex and urgent challenges. PsySR's Peacebuilding and Reconcilation Action Committee works to contribute to these critical endeavors. Learn More »
Peace Education Action Committee
Current levels of violence around the world and the threat of weapons of mass destruction pose an urgent need for effective peace education programs. PsySR's Peace Education Action Committee works to promote peace education in a variety of settings, with a particular focus on the psychological aspects of peace and conflict. Learn More»
Join an Action Committee Today!
PsySR accomplishes much of its work through its Action Committees. These groups are linked on a regular basis by email listservs and they meet in person at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association and other professional events. They publish resource materials, plan conferences, develop PsySR statements on issues, and offer networking and information-sharing opportunities to their members. To join an Action Committee, make sure your PsySR membership is current and simply send an email to a committee co-chair. Then be sure to sign up for the committee's email listserv.
PsySR Listservs: Stay Connected
PsySR has two general email distribution lists (managed through Yahoo! Groups), and we encourage members to join both. They are a very useful way to stay connected with fellow members and the national office. PsySR also has email listservs for each of its action committees. More information is available HERE.
We welcome contributions of new material and recommendations of new links from PsySR members. Please send an email to info@psysr.org and clearly identify the issue being addressed. Contributions received may be edited for space or combined in summary form with other contributions on the same topic.