New York State Psychological Association

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Learn more about the division in a letter from the president.

The Division of Social Issues works to apply the knowledge and skill of psychology to promoting a humane and just society. We strive to educate ourselves, our colleagues, students and the public about crucial moral and ethical issues of our time, by sponsoring speakers and conferences, collaborating with related psychology groups and bringing important psychological issues before NYSPA members.

Over the past decades this division worked on the psychological and social causes of wars; hate groups in America; ethnic challenges in the New York City school system; ethnic conflicts in the former Yugoslavia; research on the spread of HIV/AIDS; affirmative action; social class conflict in Haiti; research on fatherhood; polling results from United States elections; and cross-cultural research into family structures.

In recent years the division has created programs to address issues of universal coverage of health care in the U.S., communication between racial, ethnic and religious groups, legislation to alleviate the plight of mentally ill prisoners, and the ethical breaches of psychologists working in detention centers where torture and human rights abuses occur. In 2008 we collaborated with Fordham University on a conference on the issue of psychology and torture, and brought a resolution before the NYSPA Council to support state legislation that would forbid NY-licensed health professionals from participating in torture or abuse, which was passed.

Division of Social Issues: May 2009 Newsletter