The American psychologist
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The American psychologist · Oct 2013
ReviewBuilding a peaceful society: origins, prevention, and reconciliation after genocide and other group violence.
The 20th century was a century of genocide and other great violence between groups within societies. Already at the beginning of the 21st century, there have been mass killings, civil wars, violent conflict, and terrorism. This article summarizes influences that tend to lead to intense group violence. ⋯ The article stresses the role of progressive change, that is, of psychological, behavioral, and social evolution, in both extreme violence and positive relations between groups; the role of passive bystanders in the unfolding of violence; and the role of active bystandership in the prevention of violence, in the promotion of reconciliation, and in the development of harmonious societies. It emphasizes psychological processes but notes the importance of creating societal institutions. The author cites findings from both laboratory research and case studies, reviews interventions and their evaluation in Rwanda, and points to the need for further research.
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The American psychologist · Sep 2013
Biography Historical ArticleRobert Spurlin Waldrop (1912-2012).
Presents an obituary for Robert Spurlin Waldrop (1912-2012). After receiving a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Oklahoma in 1934 with a major in philosophy and a minor in psychology, Waldrop received a bachelor of divinity degree from the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago in 1937. He began graduate work in psychology at the University of Chicago (1937-1940), where he worked with L. ⋯ He accepted a position as professor of psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park, from which he retired in 1979. Throughout his career, Waldrop was involved in both professional and community affairs. Waldrop lived the history of modern psychology and contributed to that history.
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The American psychologist · May 2013
A pandemic of the poor: social disadvantage and the U.S. HIV epidemic.
The U. S. HIV/AIDS epidemic has evolved over the past 30 years and is now concentrated in socially marginalized and disenfranchised communities. ⋯ Guided by a well-established conceptual model of health disparities, we then describe the social positions of those most affected by HIV and AIDS, particularly racial and gender groups. Structural and economic conditions-including environmental resources, constraints, access to care, and psychosocial influences-are examined in relation to HIV disease trajectories. Greater attention to contextual factors and comorbidities is needed to reduce the health disparities in HIV/AIDS.
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The American psychologist · Oct 2012
ReviewHealth and mental health policies' role in better understanding and closing African American-White American disparities in treatment access and quality of care.
Since publication of the U. S. Surgeon General's report Mental Health: Culture, Race and Ethnicity--A Supplement to Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General (U. ⋯ These initiatives include institutional commitments to (a) research by the National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities; (b) disparities monitoring by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; (c) new epidemiologic and service delivery information on African American populations from the National Survey of American Life sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health; as well as (d) opportunities inherent in the World Health Organization's interest in disease burden for making it possible to view African Americans' likely greater disease burden from mental illness as a legitimate source of concern. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act affords unprecedented opportunities for increasing African Americans' treatment access and quality of care nationwide. By familiarizing themselves with these initiatives, and taking advantage of possibilities they offer, those committed to reducing African American-White American disparities in mental illness, and treatment access and quality, can make inroads toward improving African Americans' mental health and facilitating their successful functioning in all spheres of community living.
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The American psychologist · Apr 2012
Aging and mental health in the decade ahead: what psychologists need to know.
Until relatively recently, most psychologists have had limited professional involvement with older adults. With the baby boomers starting to turn 65 years old in 2011, sheer numbers of older adults will continue to increase. About 1 in 5 older adults has a mental disorder, such as dementia. ⋯ Aging is an aspect of diversity that can be integrated into psychology education across levels of training. Policy advocacy for geropsychology clinical services, education, and research remains critical. Psychologists have much to offer an aging society.