PsySR Endorses Steven Reisner for APA President
Psychologists for Social Responsibility (PsySR) has announced its endorsement of Steven Reisner, Ph.D., for President of the American Psychological Association (APA). PsySR’s Steering Committee, in backing Reisner’s campaign, took note of how closely aligned Reisner’s social activism is to PsySR priorities. More information is available HERE.
PsySR Poses Questions for APA's Presidential Candidates
Psychologists for Social Responsibility invited the candidates for President of the American Psychological Association to respond briefly to five questions about issues of importance to PsySR members, many of whom are also members of APA. Candidates Carol Goodheart, Robert McGrath, Steven Reisner, and Ronald Rozensky responded to our questions. Jack Kitaeff declined to participate because PsySR is not a division of APA. The questions and answers can be read HERE.
Psychologists for Social Responsibility Awards Marsella Prize to Floyd Rudmin
Psychologists for Social Responsibility (PsySR) is pleased to announce that Professor Floyd Rudmin of the University of Tromsø in Norway has been awarded the 2008 Anthony J. Marsella Prize for the Psychology of Peace and Social Justice. In selecting Dr. Rudmin, the Awards Committee cited his "consistent and innovative contributions as a scholar-activist to the understanding of war and peace." The complete press release is available HERE.
Josephine "Scout" Wollman Fuller Award Recipients Announced
The recipients of PsySR's first annual Josephine "Scout" Wollman Fuller Award are the Child and Adult Volunteers of the Lajee Center, AIDA Refugee Camp, Bethlehem. The award honors the memory and life of "Scout" who passed away in 2007 at the age of eight following her struggle with cancer. Throughout her brief but caring life, Scout was a strong voice for peace in her school and community. As the award states: "'Scout' was wise, caring, and concerned for the needy of the world. She was both a learner and a teacher." More information and video excerpts from the award ceremony at the most recent PsySR annual meeting are available HERE.
PsySR Activities at the 2008 APA Convention in Boston, August 14th-17th
PsySR is sponsoring a broad range of stimulating programs and events during the upcoming American Psychological Association convention in Boston, August 14th-17th. A complete listing is available HERE, and a convenient printable (double-sided) bookmark schedule is available HERE.
In addition, details of a PsySR co-sponsored rally (Saturday, August 16, Noon-2pm) protesting psychologists' involvement in abusive interrogations and illegal detention is available HERE.
PsySR Members' Essay on APA and "Torture After Dark"
PsySR members Stephen Soldz, Brad Olson, Steve Reisner, Jean Maria Arrigo, and Bryant Welch have collaborated on a timely and powerful essay contending that a shameful "strategic helplessness" has characterized the American Psychological Association's response to reports of the use of psychological expertise and of psychologists' participation--both witting and unwitting--in U.S. government programs involving interrogation abuses and torture. Their essay can be read HERE.
PsySR Member Testifies About Terrorism Before Senate Committee
PsySR Member Fathali Moghaddam testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on July 10th as part of a panel discussing “The Roots of Violent Islamist Extremism and Efforts to Counter It.” His written testimony can be read HERE.
VIDEO: PsySR Endorses “I Approve” Vote on APA Referendum
The Steering Committee of Psychologists for Social Responsibility has voted to endorse a “YES, I APPROVE” vote on the current APA Referendum. PsySR believes that this referendum is an important step toward ending torture and abuse and psychologists’ involvement in these abhorrent practices in settings such as Guantanamo Bay and CIA “black sites.” We strongly encourage APA members to vote “I APPROVE,” and we have produced a brief VIDEO that explains why.
The resolution concludes this way: "Be it resolved that psychologists may not work in settings where persons are held outside of, or in violation of, either International Law (e.g., the UN Convention Against Torture and the Geneva Conventions) or the US Constitution (where appropriate), unless they are working directly for the persons being detained or for an independent third party working to protect human rights.”
Nordic Committee of Psychologists' Associations Responds to PsySR Appeal
In June, PsySR's End Torture Action Committee issued a call for international colleagues to protest the APA's position on psychologists participating in U.S. interrogations of so-called "enemy combatants." In response, the Nordic Committee of Psychologists' Associations has written a letter supporting PsySR's appeal. The letter is available HERE.
PsySR Receives Grants from Open Society Institute and Arca Foundation
PsySR is very pleased to announce that it has received grants from the Open Society Institute and the Arca Foundation to analyze the ethics of psychologists’ involvement in intelligence interrogations. We gratefully acknowledge the efforts of Jean Maria Arrigo, Stephen Soldz, Joe Gorin, Jancis Long, Brad Olson, Colleen Cordes and others in obtaining this funding. More information on this important project is available HERE.
New PsySR Statement on United Nations' CEDAW
Psychologists for Social Responsibility (PsySR) urges the immediate ratification by the U.S. Senate of the UN Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). A simple statement that women should be treated equally, however, does not give guidance to officials.Read More »
Campaign Launch for Greater Student Involvement and PsySR Student Chapters (PsySSR)
PsySR is launching a nationwide Student Membership Campaign and we’re eager to involve our membership in this initiative. There are a number of ways you can lend your expertise and assistance:
- Encourage and organize your interested psychology students to become student members of PsySR.
- Assume the role of PsySSR Faculty Advisor for a student chapter.
- Assist with on-campus and off-campus activities that serve the local and university communities.
- Volunteer to be a guest speaker for a student chapter event, and recommend other speakers as well.
More information about PsySR's student-focused programs and opportunties is available HERE.
