| Abstract: | The Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest confers the Award for Distinguished Contribution to Research in Public Policy upon a psychologist who has made a distinguished empirical and/or theoretical contribution to research in public policy, either through a single extraordinary achievement or a lifetime of work. This contribution might include research leading others to view specific national policies differently, research demonstrating the importance of the application of psychological methods and theory to public policy, or research clarifying the ways scientific knowledge of human behavior informs public policy. One of the two winners of this award is Gail E. Wyatt. Her research significantly advanced our understanding of the effects of abortion, childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexually transmitted diseases, and sexual practices among women, particularly African-American women, and establishing research methods and tools to create culturally appropriate measures of these critical issues. Her work addressing sexual behavior and responses to victimization among African-American women has contributed significantly to the breakdown of stereotypes that previously limited the responses of Congress and the courts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
