Position statement of the Ad Hoc Committee on Psychology of the SCEH.

Reference is made to the recent articles that appeared in the August and October issues, respectively, of the American Psychologist on the professional developments in hypnosis and the legal status of the practice of hypnosis in the United States. In order to support the legitimacy of psychology's interest in hypnosis, the statement described in this article represents the most recent position taken by the Committee on Psychology of the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (SCEH). This Society is the principal national organization of psychologists in this country who are concerned with the theory, practice, and techniques of hypnosis; and is the principal society of the two professionally recognized and interdisciplinary organizations concerned with the phenomenon of hypnosis in this country. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Atlanta, psychology, and the second siege: Report to APA by the Georgia Psychological Association's Ad Hoc Resource Committee on murdered and missing Atlanta children.

From the summer of 1979 until May of 1981, Atlanta's young Black population was apparently stalked by a ruthless and faceless killer or killers. Before the sensational string of murders stopped abruptly, at least 28 deaths occurred in a 22-mo period, with a 29th child presumed dead. Most of these murders, and possibly others, are believed to be part of the same pattern of killings. Because of the exotic nature of these crimes, and due to the tremendous emotional strain these perplexing murders induced in Atlanta's population, the opportunity for consultation and intervention by professional psychology was prominent. This report chronicles the Atlanta child murders and the individual and organized efforts of professional psychologists to assist the Atlanta Special Task Force and community. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Guidelines for avoiding sexism in psychological research: A report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Nonsexist Research.

Reviews the literature and documents the pervasiveness of gender bias at all stages of research: question formulation, research design, data analysis and interpretation, and conclusion formulation. The authors identify some of the ways that gender bias can affect research at each of these stages. Examples are provided of common avoidable problems as well as suggestions for eliminating such bias. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Report of a panel on the relationship between public exposure to pesticides and cancer. Ad Hoc Panel on Pesticides and Cancer. National Cancer Institute of Canada

BACKGROUND: Pesticides, which by their nature are biologically active compounds, continue to raise public concern regarding their possible role as important etiologic agents in the development of human cancer. METHODS: To examine this potential role, the National Cancer Institute of Canada convened an Ad Hoc Panel on Pesticides and Cancer to examine the possible contribution of pesticide exposure, particularly in the general population, to the development of human cancer. RESULTS: The Panel focused primarily on exposure in the general population and reviewed a range of studies that addressed issues related to dietary exposure as well as incidental home and garden uses. In addition, the Panel examined the regulatory framework that exists to safeguard the public from potentially carcinogenic pesticides and also reviewed some potential benefits of pesticide use, including the availability of an abundant and low cost supply of fresh fruits and vegetables as an important strategy in the overall mitigation of cancer risk. CONCLUSIONS: The Panel concluded that it was not aware of any definitive evidence to suggest that synthetic pesticides contribute significantly to overall cancer mortality. The Panel also concluded that it did not believe that any increased intake of pesticide residues associated with increased intake of fruits and vegetables poses any increased risk of cancer. The Panel further concluded, among other things, that tobacco use continues to be the most important preventable cause of cancer and premature mortality and thus is an appropriate focus for cancer control strategy.     

Progress Report of the Committee on Social Science in Public Health.

Until recently public health was primarily focused toward the solution of urgent problems of sanitation and the contagious diseases. It was concerned with the many problems of environmental sanitation, such as providing safe milk and water supplies and providing adequate means of disposing of waste. It was concerned also with a wide range of problems related to the control of diphtheria, smallpox, typhoid, malaria, and other contagious diseases. This article reports on the status of public health today. The Committee on Social Science in Public Health has identified several specific action possibilities which seem most likely to yield significant, long-range results in achieving these objectives, and these objectives are outlined in this article. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recommendations for medical management of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer: the French National Ad Hoc Committee

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Almost 10% of breast and ovarian cancers are familial, and the majority are linked to BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations. Despite uncertainty about the management of female gene carriers, consensus guidelines have been established to assist practitioners and consultees in making health care decisions. METHODOLOGY: The Ad Hoc Committee was composed of 14 experts appointed by the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research, all of whom attended eleven workshops at which more than 3500 articles were systematically analyzed. Five additional experts critically analysed the first version of the report. CRITERIA AND DECISION PROCESS: On a probability scale of the risk of developing breast or ovarian cancers, two thresholds were defined for use in determining whether an intervention would be worthwhile. The first is the threshold above which an intervention can be envisaged or recommended, and the second is the one below which an intervention can be ruled out; between the two, the decision has to be made on a case-by-case basis. SCREENING AND PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES ANALYZED: With respect to breast cancer: 1) hormonal interventions; 2) primary prevention (diet, family planning and chemoprevention); 3) screening (breast self-examination, clinician breast examination, tumor markers, imaging); 4) prophylactic mastectomy. With respect to ovarian cancer: 1) hormonal stimulation; 2) screening (clinical screening, ultrasound and tumor markers); 3) prophylactic oophorectomy. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: For each strategy the following points were addressed: the information to be given to the consultee, the procedure and the indications. In addition, the committee's opinion about BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation screening is that population-based, or even large-scale, implementation are not justified. Although no scientific evidence is available, the committee feels that specific management is indispensable and advocates the use of defined and evaluated procedures, and participation in clinical trials.     

On the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Educational Uses of Tests with Disadvantaged Students: Another psychological view from the Association of Black Psychologists.

Responds to the paper by T. A. Cleary et al (see record 1976-03505-001), which states the position of the American Psychological Association's Ad Hoc Committee on Educational Uses of Tests with Disadvantaged Students. The Committee's report reflects the reaction of the vested interests in the testing agency and is blatantly racist in its defense of standardized tests. Not only should a moratorium be imposed on psychological testing, but there should also be government intervention in this area. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Report to the Ethics Committee, 1994.

Reports the number and types of complaints investigated by the Ethics Committee of the American Psychological Association (APA) for 1994. The most significant activity was the approval of a revision of APA Bylaws related to ethics. Topics discussed include Ethics Committee membership, Ad Hoc Policy and Education Committee activities, Ethics office staff, Ethics case data, and examples of specific complaints. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Report of the Ethics Committee: 1988.

Presents information about trends in complaints and adjudications investigated by the Ethics Committee of the American Psychological Association (APA) in 1988. Updates on the Federal Trade Commission's investigation of the APA and the draft of the revised Ethical Principles of Psychologists are offered. Educational activities of the Ethics Committee are also summarized. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Report of the Ethics Committee: 1985.

Activities of the Ethics Committee of the American Psychological Association (APA) included those connected with 188 cases in active files and an investigation of 330 applications for readmission to APA. Educational activities (publications, convention, educational mailings, and workshops and talks) and difficult adjudication areas (interaction with former patients, advertising, bartering, selling a practice, and telephone therapy services) are outlined. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Report of the Ethics Committee: 1986.

Reports increased activity, due in part to the fact that 8 state associations have disbanded their ethics committees or are using them solely for educative and referral purposes. 47 cases were adjudicated and closed during 1986, and 91 cases remained active. Other activities of the Ethics Committee over the year are described with respect to an ethics case book, an ethics resource center, workshops, and convention activities. A position paper on required psychotherapy for students is presented, specifically with regard to psychologists providing confidentiality to students in therapy as part of their training and the conflicts of interest that can arise when the psychologist adopts the dual role of therapist/professor. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Standing Committee on Professional Affairs, June 1968.

Presents the June, 1968 report from the Canadian Psychological Association's Standing Committee on Professional Affairs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychology, public affairs, and public policy: A strategy and review.

Discusses psychology and public image problems in relation to public policy and public affairs. The American Psychological Association's (APA) strategy, past and present efforts, effectiveness, and suggestions for future directions are reviewed. Public policy issues for the APA involve the appropriate corporate role in commitment to a process of establishing, maintaining, and expanding a credible public presence regarding the field. Members of the field cannot expect to play a constructive role in policy development if people are misinformed about psychology and psychologists. Suggestions for future APA strategies include surveying members' opinions on a routine basis; focused, topic-specific projects with radio and TV; more frequent task reports on specific issues; increased efforts to educate writers and members of the media; and the establishment of liaison committees or joint task forces with other professional groups. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Report of the Committee on Freedom of Enquiry.

The committee was appointed primarily "… to explore ways in which psychologists… can contribute to the preservation and advancement of freedom of inquiry in America… ." The committee proposes "… that psychologists are exceptionally well qualified to hold the strong middle ground that lies intermediately between hysteria and complacency… ." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Committee on Psychology in National and International Affairs.

The author who is the full-time Executive Secretary of the committee "serves to facilitate the Committee's operations by establishing and maintaining liaison with staffs of governmental agencies, Congressional offices, and other professional and public affairs organizations in order to determine their activities and interests, and to provide them with relevant information concerning the availability of behavioral science resources. Major sections are: Current Program, and Other Continuing and Contemplated Activities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Report of the Science Advisory Committee.

Discusses the perspective of the American Psychological Association (APA) Science Advisory Committee on psychological science (PS). Goals and objectives are presented for enhancing psychology as a science, fostering APA's role in the representation of PS, and increasing psychology as a profession and a science. An article on subdisciplines in psychology and a letter to the scientific psychology community from 3 APA presidents are appended. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)