Observer > 2004 > February
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172004Volume 17, Issue2February 2004

Presidential Column

Henry L. Roediger, III
Henry L. Roediger, III
Washington University in St. Louis
APS President 2003 - 2004
All columns

In this Issue:
The Great Handbook Scam

About the Observer

The Observer is the online magazine of the Association for Psychological Science and covers matters affecting the research, academic, and applied disciplines of psychology. The magazine reports on issues of interest to psychologist scientists worldwide and disseminates information about the activities, policies, and scientific values of APS.

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Up Front

  • The Great Handbook Scam

    Not long ago, the editor of a publishing company approached me about editing a Handbook of Human Memory that would cover the field. I said that there was no need; Tulving and Craik had published The Oxford Handbook of Memory in 2000. Why did we need another one? Undeterred, the friendly editor asked if I wouldn't have constructed a handbook different from the OHOM volume. Yes, I opined, I guess I would have. (I'm not Craik or Tulving, after all, although their handbook is excellent). "Aha, then you have new ideas and you should create your own handbook!" my friend said. I took a pass. Still, the field could have had (and probably will have) another handbook of human memory in the near future.

Practice

  • A New Edition of Your Text

    It's bound to happen almost every three years - the text that you worked so hard to select and then worked even harder to incorporate into your course comes out in a new edition. For many faculty, this can be a vexing addition to an already heavy workload. They may feel like the course is finally "working" and now they have to revise and start again. Other faculty staunchly refuse to alter their course in the face of changing editions, assuming the substantive change is less than minimal and motivated solely by the publisher's desire to "beat" the used book market. While shrieking in frustration may have some therapeutic value, there are ways to make the new edition work to your advantage: All it takes is a little advance planning. Why Do They Do This to Us (Create New Editions)?

First Person

  • Beyond the Classroom: Increasing Student Participation in Professional Organizations

    Speaking in front of a group of strangers, many of whom are older and have a plethora of academic credentials, can certainly be a frightening and scary experience. For undergraduates especially, the task can be downright daunting. Nevertheless, a lot can be gained from actively participating and engaging in professional organizations, student clubs, and conferences. The Accessibility of Professional Organizations Contrary to many students' expectations, professional organizations actively seek to increase student membership and participation. A variety of psychological societies have separate student branches (e.g., APSSC, APAGS) devoted specifically to student issues and programs. Students are allowed and encouraged to become members of most professional organizations and to present their research at annual meetings. Getting Involved With Student Clubs If you love psychology and want to extend your passion outside the classroom, many university departments have clubs or organizations designed to enhance the student experience.

  • Psi Chi Reaches 75: The Youth Psychology Beacon Celebrates an Illuminated History

    To celebrate its 75th anniversary, Psi Chi is sponsoring special activities at all the regional psychological association meetings including the APS Annual Convention. In addition to its symposia on graduate schools and careers in psychology, Psi Chi, in conjunction with APS, will award the first Albert Bandura Award for outstanding graduate student research, have David Myers present the first Psi Chi address at APS, sponsor a special anniversary reception, and highlight the Kay Wilson Leadership Award at the APS Annual Convention. Originally founded as a national student psychological organization, Psi Chi became an affiliate of APA in 1958 and has held meetings in conjunction with APS since 1996. It officially became an honor society in 1964.

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  • Federal Budget Pending

    Behavioral Science at NIH: FY 2004 Appropriations Report Language The following report language appeared in Senate Report 108-81, which accompanied the Senate's funding for the National Institute of Health in FY 04. National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Behavioral Research - The Committee believes NIGMS has a scientific mandate to support this research because of the clear relevance of fundamental behavioral factors to a variety of diseases and health conditions.

  • Mr. Goldman Comes to Washington: Researcher Bridges Behavior, Biology at NIAAA

    Since 1985, Mark S. Goldman has worked as a research professor in the psychology department at the University of South Florida, where he later became director of the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Research Institute. Goldman's major research interests are in alcohol expectancies, cognitive mediators of alcoholism risk, and the development of drinking in children, adolescents, and young adults. Goldman was tapped in 1998 to co-chair the Task Force on College Drinking under the auspices of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.