An assertion that a capital offender will engage in future acts of criminal violence is a factor in determining "death worthiness" in many jurisdictions of the United States. The legislative conception and court affirmation of this issue as a capital consideration were products of the parole policy and prison capability of an earlier era…

Findings from empirical research differ greatly from the Supreme Court's assumptions about psychological factors in adolescent abortion. Psychologists should preserve adolescent clients' privacy in counseling about pregnancy-related decisions. Government should encourage counseling services for pregnant adolescents and research on psychological…

The Supreme Court has relied on psychological assumptions in adolescent abortion cases, but it has failed to consider relevant empirical research. The Interdivisional Committee on Adolescent Abortion provides a model for organized psychology's integration, dissemination, and application of psychological knowledge to promote the public's interest.…

Examines the history of registration and notification statutes for sex offenders and concerns and legal challenges they have faced, noting psychology's limited knowledge about normal versus abnormal sexual development and research suggesting that recidivism rates for sexual offenses may be lower for juveniles than adults who have received…

Legislators often have established special procedures for judicial or parental involvement in adolescent abortion decisions. While ostensibly protecting pregnant minors' psychological health, and increasing the competency of decision making, judicial bypass and parental notification promote neither goal. At best, they are benign but costly and…

Suggests that racism may be the motivation for the English-only laws passed in 18 states. Cites studies showing the benefits of bilingual education over English immersion. Concludes that the English-only movement would impede the delivery of psychological, educational, psychometric, and health services for many American residents. (DM)

Explicates the rationale for efforts to promote the participation of children (and their parents and other interested adults) to help them feel that they are heard, noting the framework that is currently in place in most western countries, explaining this effort's foundation in international human rights law, and describing ways that it can be…

Focuses on how federal training funds have affected the directions of psychology and medicine. The significance for psychology's involvement in national health policy, particularly during this era of reform, is highlighted, as are those steps by the research, education, and practice communities within psychology, that are essential for…

Injuries are now the cause of more deaths to children than the next six most frequent causes combined. Reviews the research evidence on the effectiveness of approaches to injury control such as legislation, health education, and behavioral strategies. Suggests avenues of further research. (Author/BJV)