The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues

About

Founded in 1936, SPSSI is a group of 3,000 scientists from psychology and related fields and others who share a common interest in research on the psychological aspects of important social and policy issues. In various ways, SPSSI seeks to bring theory and practice into focus on human problems of the group, the community, and nations, as well as the increasingly important problems that have no national boundaries. "Sound Science, Sound Policy" features writing by SPSSI members on their areas of research and expertise. The opinions expressed in articles published in this blog are those of the individual authors, and not necessarily of SPSSI.

Recent Posts

Purdue Pharma, Bankruptcy, and Procedural Justice

Bankruptcy courts are increasingly the places where high-profile mass torts are resolved. How does procedural justice fit in?

Responsibility, “Winning,” and Apologies in Civil Settlement

How do public reactions to the Fox-Dominion settlement align with psychological research about how lay observers understand civil settlement?

Supreme Court Rulings Are Inconsistent on Racial Justice

Recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions reflect the conflict between race-conscious and color-blind ideology.

Fixing the Competence Restoration Process

State legislatures are failing jail detainees who wait too long for competency restoration by not funding adequate mental health care.

Legal Reasonable Suspicion Rests on Unreasonable Assumptions

Does the “high crime area” designation that is used to justify suspicion allow bias to perpetuate policing disparities?

What Can We Learn From the Mass Trauma of Dictatorships?

The psychological impact of living under a repressive regime can span generations.

Courts Rule on Behavioral Health Coverage Determinations

Should behavioral health care insurers also be allowed to act as plan administrators?

Is Justice Blind if We Say It Is?

A U.S. Supreme Court case raises the issue of whether jurors can determine how influenced they are by potentially biasing characteristics of a defendant.

Moving Away From Deception When Interrogating Young Suspects

Lying to get to the truth? Why banning police deception in juvenile interrogations is good science and good practice.

How Gender Stereotypes Influence Career Interests

A more nuanced understanding of gender stereotypes may help us better understand gender differences in career interests and provide ways to decrease gender inequality.