From Perspectives on Psychological Science: Reexamining the Findings of the American Psychological Association’s 2015 Task Force on Violent Media: A Meta-Analysis

in Academic, Family, Featured Article, Peer-Reviewed Article, Pop Culture, Public News, Research

In 2015, the American Psychological Association (APA) released a task-force technical report on video-game violence with a concurrent resolution statement linking violent games to aggression but not violent crime. The task-force report has proven to be controversial; many scholars have criticized language implying conclusive evidence linking violent games to aggression as well as technical concerns regarding the meta-analysis that formed the basis of the technical report and resolution statement.

Read More

President’s Update

in Featured Article, Public News

Louisiana is a resilient community, but we work best when we work together.  Southwest Louisiana is a community that prior to this storm was underserved in mental and behavioral health.  I know that our public affairs committee will be meeting so that we can organize resources as we become aware of needs.  From past experiences, we know that each disaster is unique and that it is often best to listen to impacted communities, allow them to express their needs first, then organize response with what is needed rather than making assumptions. 

Read More

President’s Update

in Organizational Update, Public News

As you go about your days, please remember that self-care is integral to the provision of evidence-based practices of healthcare and psychology. When I say “take care,”  I mean please take time to take care of yourself in these challenging circumstances. LPA is a resource to you. Reach out to LPA when the need arises. LPA is an integral part of the well-meant, often spoken phrase, “we will get through this together.” Thank you for being a part of LPA and for all that you do. Remember to Take Care. 

Read More

President’s Update

in Organizational Update, Public News

Yesterday marked just one month since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Louisiana.  So much has changed in thirty days in the lives of our clients/patients and our own.  I marvel at how many of my routines are now different.  We are all encountering rapidly changing circumstances that have both transient and potentially […]

Read More

President’s Update

in Organizational Update, Public News

The Executive Council of LPA understands that our members are facing extraordinary challenges.  Psychologists all over the world are meeting the stresses and mental health demands presented by COVID-19, while exercising self-care.  With so much uncertainty, accurate information is vital.  I want you to know that LPA is active in clarifying concerns of our members […]

Read More

From APA: Why We Fall For Fake News

in Featured Article, Pop Culture, Public News

Have you heard? Nancy Pelosi diverted Social Security money to fund the impeachment inquiry. President Trump’s father was a member of the KKK. Far-fetched as those statements sound, they were among the most shared fake news stories on Facebook in 2019, according to a report by the nonprofit organization Avaaz, which concluded that political fake news garnered more than 150 million views in 2019.

Read More

From APA: Speaking of Psychology: Coronavirus Anxiety

in Featured Article, Public News

Fear about the coronavirus has gripped the world. While nearly all cases have been in China, that has not stopped people in other countries from worrying. This new illness certainly is frightening and needs attention, but it’s important to note that far more people die from an illness that’s all too familiar — the seasonal flu. Why are we so afraid of this novel coronavirus when we are much more likely to catch the flu?

Read More

Dr. Alan Coulter Named to Bullying Prevention Task Force

in Organizational Update, Public News

The Bullying Awareness and Treatment Task Force was created by House Resolution No. 208 in the 2017 regular legislative session, and authored by Representative Barbara Norton. HR 208 directs the purpose of the task force members to make a thorough study of bullying prevention strategies to develop a Louisiana Bullying Awareness and Treatment Plan which provides, at a minimum, recommendations regarding: Positive reforms to prevent bullying; Counseling and other treatment services for youths who are victims of bullying as well as youths who are involved in bullying; Best practices for establishing a safe and healthy environment for all children to learn, grow, and develop.

Read More

From APA Division 38: Working Alongside Health Psychologists Improved My Practice

in Clinical, Featured Article, Public News

Understanding the importance of the mind and body connection was one of the most important goals early in my medical career. My interest in becoming a primary care provider was initiated by witnessing the necessity of practicing medicine within a biopsychosocial model of medicine to provide optimal health care and help address health disparities. During my family medicine residency, I had the amazing opportunity to co-train with clinical health psychology fellows training in a primary-care psychology program within a collaborative care model.

Read More

From APA: New Faces to the Field

in Featured Article, Partners, Public News, Students

Efforts to recruit diverse students into psychology look promising: The percentage of racial- and ethnic­ minority psychology graduate students grew from 27% in the 2006–07 academic year to 35% in 2016–17, with increases for every ethnic-minority category tracked, according to a new analysis of data from APA’s annual Graduate Study in Psychology survey of psychology graduate programs. The largest increases were for students who identified as Hispanic or multiethnic, and master’s students were slightly more diverse than doctoral students.

Read More