The American psychologist
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The American psychologist · Apr 1997
ReviewViolent offender research and implications for the criminal justice system.
Some offenders are at very high risk to reoffend. Research conducted at the author's institution and elsewhere shows that psychopathic offenders are especially likely to be violent, that future violence can be predicted with considerable accuracy among men who have committed at least 1 violent offense, and that treatment programs to reduce dangerousness do not always have the intended effects (i.e., they may actually increase the dangerousness of some individuals). Implications for the criminal justice system pertain to release following insanity acquittal, offender sentencing and parole, preventive detention, offender treatment, and program evaluation.
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The American psychologist · Feb 1997
Behavioral scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Evolving and integrated roles.
The behavioral sciences offer theories and methods that are critical to fulfilling the mission of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Behavioral scientists have been integrated into the epidemiological and biomedical traditions of the agency, thereby broadening the effectiveness of prevention strategies that rely on behavior change. ⋯ Psychological theories and methods, especially, have relevance for tackling many of the challenges facing public health. Some of these challenges, and the opportunities they present for psychologists and other behavioral scientists, are discussed.
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The American psychologist · Dec 1996
The right to a family environment for children with disabilities.
To access services for children with disabilities, the children often have been required to leave their families of origin. However, social science evidence indicates that there are substantial psychological benefits for children to remain with their families whenever possible. The U. ⋯ Convention, and it documents trends in U. S. law consistent with the implications of the scientific evidence and international consensus. The authors conclude that it is important for the federal government to maintain these progressive programs and policies even as responsibilities for social programs shift to the states.
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Nationally, homicide and suicide are the 2nd and 3rd leading causes of death among children and youth under the age of 21. Sixteen to 19-year-olds now have the highest rate of handgun victimization among all age groups. ⋯ Multiple steps, both short- and long-term, need to be taken to reduce firearm death rates among children and youth. Some of the possible methods to do so are discussed.
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The American psychologist · Jul 1995
Animal research in psychology. More than meets the eye of the general psychology student.
The general psychology course provides a unique opportunity to present the science of psychology to a wide audience. Informing the general public about the importance of animal research in psychology is especially important given contemporary concerns about animal rights and animal welfare. ⋯ In addition, major findings from animal research were frequently presented as if they had been obtained with humans. In obscuring the contributions of animal research, introductory psychology textbooks miss the opportunity to ensure that public policy be based on accurate information about the significance of this research to many areas of psychological science.