Sound Science, Sound Policy

Law and Crime

The Psychology of Apology in High-Stakes Failure

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on April 10, 2026

After FTX’s collapse, Bankman-Fried apologized while denying intent. His apology tour reveals how self-justification, legal pressure, and reputation concerns collide.

After FTX’s collapse, Bankman-Fried apologized while denying intent. His apology tour reveals how self-justification, legal pressure, and reputation concerns collide.

Race and Ethnicity

Jury Selection in the Black Lives Matter Era

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on March 27, 2026

Prospective jurors can be excluded from trial participation due to their attitudes toward the movement, but this can produce racial discrimination and biased jury decision-making.

Prospective jurors can be excluded from trial participation due to their attitudes toward the movement, but this can produce racial discrimination and biased jury decision-making.

Politics

How Immigration Policies Are Harming Mental Health

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on September 5, 2025

Anti-immigration policy can heighten fear of deportation and negatively affect immigrant people’s well-being. What is a psychologist’s role in addressing these mental health impacts?

Anti-immigration policy can heighten fear of deportation and negatively affect immigrant people’s well-being. What is a psychologist’s role in addressing these mental health impacts?

Trauma

Crossing Borders, Carrying Trauma

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on April 24, 2025

Immigration isn’t only a physical journey, but a psychological process fraught with fear, trauma, and emotional distress. Supporting these communities requires a holistic approach.

Immigration isn’t only a physical journey, but a psychological process fraught with fear, trauma, and emotional distress. Supporting these communities requires a holistic approach.

Bias

The Impacts of Anti-Black Racism in Psychology

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on December 13, 2024

The field of psychology has a history of anti-Black racism that is sustained by Whiteness.

The field of psychology has a history of anti-Black racism that is sustained by Whiteness.

Pregnancy

Combating Racial Disparities in Maternal and Infant Health

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on August 6, 2024

Research suggests group prenatal care improves maternal and infant health outcomes for Black families, and it may be due to its emphasis on patient education and social support.

Research suggests group prenatal care improves maternal and infant health outcomes for Black families, and it may be due to its emphasis on patient education and social support.

Law and Crime

Purdue Pharma, Bankruptcy, and Procedural Justice

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on April 16, 2024

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

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

Law and Crime

Responsibility, “Winning,” and Apologies in Civil Settlement

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on December 11, 2023

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

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

Race and Ethnicity

Supreme Court Rulings Are Inconsistent on Racial Justice

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on December 1, 2023

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

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

Law and Crime

Fixing the Competence Restoration Process

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on May 19, 2023

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

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

Law and Crime

Legal Reasonable Suspicion Rests on Unreasonable Assumptions

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on March 7, 2023

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

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

Trauma

What Can We Learn From the Mass Trauma of Dictatorships?

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on February 22, 2023

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

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

Decision-Making

Courts Rule on Behavioral Health Coverage Determinations

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on November 22, 2022

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

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

Bias

Is Justice Blind if We Say It Is?

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on November 21, 2022

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.

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.

Deception

Moving Away From Deception When Interrogating Young Suspects

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on November 11, 2022

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

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

Gender

How Gender Stereotypes Influence Career Interests

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on October 28, 2022

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

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

Sexual Abuse

Is Jurors’ Sexual Abuse History Relevant in Sexual Abuse Cases?

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on October 26, 2022

Should people with a sexual abuse history be excused from serving as jurors for child sexual abuse trials? Researchers say “no.”

Should people with a sexual abuse history be excused from serving as jurors for child sexual abuse trials? Researchers say “no.”

Ethics and Morality

Behavioral Ethics and Corporate Culture

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on July 29, 2022

The psychology of behavioral ethics provides insights into how corporations fail to comply with regulatory rules or ethical standards.

The psychology of behavioral ethics provides insights into how corporations fail to comply with regulatory rules or ethical standards.

Psychology

The Dobbs Decision Is Deeply Rooted in the Patriarchy

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on July 5, 2022

Abortion is now a state-by-state issue. Why does this spell disaster for individuals capable of giving birth?

Abortion is now a state-by-state issue. Why does this spell disaster for individuals capable of giving birth?

Bias

Racism May Be Built Into Some Courtrooms

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on June 22, 2022

Racist tributes in courthouses may communicate tolerance for prejudice, foster bias in jury decision-making, and intimidate non-White jurors and defendants.

Racist tributes in courthouses may communicate tolerance for prejudice, foster bias in jury decision-making, and intimidate non-White jurors and defendants.