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The Use and Misuse of Science in the Justice System
The psychological factors that play into the criminal justice system, from police interrogations to jury verdicts and sentencing decisions, were highlighted in a cross-cutting theme program at the APS Annual Convention in New York City. The session included a look at myths and facts about psychopathic traits in children, flawed methods used to understand human lie detection, and false confessions that often trump factual evidence. Among the cross-disciplinary group of speakers were APS Fellow Saul Kassin, (Williams College and John Jay College of Criminal Justice) and forensic psychologist John Edens (Texas A&M University).
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How to Combat Inequality in the LGBT Community
Although mainstream support for LGBT individuals has been steadily growing, workplace discrimination — both explicit and implicit — still poses many challenges. APS Board Member Mikki Hebl (Rice University) argues that one effective way to combat inequality is for allies and LGBT individuals alike to stand up and be counted in society: “Ironically, one of the reasons to come out is to reduce discrimination.” Hebl has also found that antidiscrimination laws play an important role in changing people's attitudes and behavior, ultimately reducing interpersonal discrimination.
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At the Intersection of Self-Control and Emotion
In an invited talk at the 2015 APS Annual Convention in New York City, APS Fellow Michael Inzlicht posed a question that he acknowledged runs counter to some commonly held psychological theories: Is self-control an emotion? “Emotions are often seen as the enemy of self-control … I think often they get a bad reputation in psychology,” he said, referencing the dual-processing model that often pits “hot” emotions against “cold” self-discipline. He suggested that, although this model has been useful, it might sometimes be a simplification or even a mischaracterization, and that instead conflict, emotion, and self-control are linked in complex ways that should further be explored.
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Longitudinal Impacts of 3-D Spatial Training Among Gifted STEM Undergraduates
In case you missed it, the cameras were rolling at the APS 23rd Annual Convention in Washington, DC. Watch APSSC Award Winner David I. Miller from the University of California, Berkeley present his research on “Longitudinal Impacts of 3-D Spatial Training Among Gifted Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Undergraduates.” David I. Miller University of California, Berkeley Diane F. Halpern Claremont McKenna College According to Miller’s presentation, twelve hours of spatial training improved gifted students’ performance in a physics class by approximately one-third of a letter grade. The improvement was particularly pronounced in male students.
