OBSERV(4~R Published by the American Psychological Soc i ety Vol. 10, No.2 March 1997 • LendingaHand. .. College professors work with Psychology Is Central at high school students in mentoringprogram .... .......... 8 National Institute on Aging • BilinguaIResearch.. NRC sets new research Premiere aging-research agency supports $50 million in behavioral science priorities for educating children s the proportion of adults over 65 years old continues to grow, issues of aging have with limited English A become increasingly important in the United States in such diverse areas as employ­ proficiency ......................... 12 ment, health care, and social services. Psychological research is playing a central role in addressing such age-related concerns of individuals and the nation as a whole. Consider the significant presence of psychologists at the National Institute on Aging (NIA; the nation's leading government agency devoted to research on adult development and aging), where three out of five associate directors have doctoral degrees in psychology and, in 1996 alone, psychologists were the principal investigators (PIs) on research grants totaling about $50 milJion. While these facts ilJustrate the integral nature of behavioral science to the science of aging and speak to psychology's influence on the Institute, to fully appreciate the level and diversity of psychology's contribution to the NIA mission see the list beginning on page 3 of the 157 extramural psychologist grantees who received supportinFYl996. Though the overwhelming majority oftheNIA' s support of psychological research is Journals Runnin' Late ... devoted to basic science (i.e., understanding the mechanisms of aging), a significant number Due to unforeseen circumstances, the De­ of projects are applied or intervention-oriented. Even in these projects, however, relevance cember and February issues of Current to elucidating basic psycho­ Directions in Psychological Science are a logical processes of aging is bit behind schedule and have not been Another B/START! emphasized. NIA Director mailed yet to subscribers. So please sit National Institute on Aging Director Richard Hodes an­ tight as we continue working to bring the nounces a BISTART·like small grants program exclu­ Richard Hodes provides journal back on schedule through the sivelyfor behavioral scientists. This makes the third NIH spring. Institute to develop this type of grant program. Page 5 SEE NIA ON PAGE 3 INSIDE NIA Research Prowams 4 Alcohol Research Offers WhatDo You.Think. 27 Departments Opportunities for Psychologists Presidential Column 2 ow does alcohol use begin? What are the effects of alcohol abuse? Why do some Member Profile· Janet Taylor Spence 10 H people begin using it in excess? Why is it so difficult for some to stop? How do we SPotliRht on Research 15 treat and prevent excessive alcohol use? Misce any 17 When you stop to think about it, virtually all ofthe major questions about alcohol Letters to the Editor 29 abuse and dependence involve behavior: So it shouldn't be surprising that psychology is Teaching Tips· Psychological Theories 30 one of the most common disciplines in alcohol research. Yet, some people might be People 33 surprised. Members in the News 34 Compared to mental health, aging, or other areas of psychological research, alcohol Obituaries 36 research traditionally has not been regarded as amajor specialty within psychology. But The Student Notebook 40 Organizational Profile - alcohol research presents a wide range of opportunities for psychologists, from basic brain Psychoneuroimmunology 43 research to treatment, prevention, and health services research. Mostofthese opportunities Announcements 44 are through the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NlAAA), which Meeting Calendar 46 Employment Bulletin 49 SEE NIAAA ON PAGE 14 American Psychological Society + 1010 Vermont Ave, NW + Suite 1100 + Washington, DC 20005-4907 + 202-783-2077 Presidential Column •The American Psychological Society Behavioral Research at NIA President Sandra Scarr President-Elect Kay Deaux Past President Richard F. Thompson Past President Marilynn B. Brewer Richard J. Hodes Past President Gordon H. Bower Director Past President James L. McGaugh Past President Janet T. Spence National Institute on Aging Past President Charles A. Kiesler Secretary Milton Hakel From i.s inception in 1974, the Nati onal Institute on Treasurer Paul W. Thayer Members at Large Aging (NIA) has made behavioral and social research an Robert Bjork Stephen Ced integral part of the Institute's effort to understand and John Darley Lorraine Eyde improve the second half of life. The importance of J . Bruce Ovennier Lee Sechrest Staff behavioral and social research stems from the fact that £recul;v~ Dir.. ctor Alan G. Kraut social and psychological, as well as physical and biomedi ­ Director ojA ccQul1Iing Emily Moore cal factors, are linked to the health and well-being of individuals and of our society as a Director of Communications Lee Herring AssislalU £dilor Elizabeth RuksZrli s whole. (See article on page I of this issue.) DireclorofGoVl:mment Relations Susan Persons SPSSISwfJ Paula Skedsvold It is gratifying that today's older generation of Americans is healthier and Director of Mee/illgs Will iam Ryan wealthier than any before. Recently, we have been heartened by important new Dire.lOr of Membership Debra Smilh Dawbase Manager Patricia Moore demographic research showing that the rate of disability among older people­ MembershipManager MllriaBurke including cognitive dysfunction and the inability to perform everyday activities like Science Policy Staff Sarah Brookhart bathing or using the telephone- is declining. Further analyses are needed to detennine The APS Observer more precisely how medical and psychosocial interventions and improved economic Publisher Alan G. Kraut conditions may have contributed to the health of the elderly. But these recent demo­ Editor Lee Herring graphic findings send us a clear and encouraging message: The aging of the population Assistant Editor Elizabeth Ruksznis Staff Writer Don Kent does not have to result in a less healthy and more frail population. Appropriate interventions can make a difference in the quality of life for older The APS Observer (ISSN: 1050-4672) is the monthly publication of the American Psychologi­ people and their families. At the same time, by keeping frai lty and illness at bay, these cal Society (FederallD Number: 73-1345573). On interventions will give us an opportunity to slow the growth in health care costs alternative months, beginning with February, the Observer consists of the APS Employment Bulle­ expected with the rapid aging of the popu lation. tin. The May and June issues and the July and To help achieve these goals, the NIA's behavioral and social research agenda has August issues are combined. Editorial and adver­ established three objectives: tising offices are at APS, 1010 Vermont Ave., NW, Sle. lIDO, Washington, DC 20005-4907; Tel: 202- 783-2077, Fax: 202-783-2083, Inlernet: LHerring I. To understand the agi ng process and how biological aging interacts with psycho­ @capcon.nel. Visit us on the world-wide web al URL: hup:/Iwww.hanover.edu/psychJAPS. logical and social agi ng within a changing environment. 2. To understand the place, potential, and problems of older people in society, Contents copyright © 1997 by Ihe American Psychological Society. All rights reserved. including the community, the family, the workplace, and other social institutions. AllAPS members receive the Observer. Domestic 3. To develop a knowledge base for prolonging the productive and healthy function­ non-member subscription rales are $35 (individual), ing of the middle years of life by preventing. reversing, or slowing the progress of $50 (institution) and foreign rates are $50 (indi­ vidual) and $65 (institution) per year. Send sub­ decrements associated with old age, such as chronic ill health, memory loss. scription requests to the address above. Third-class economic deprivation. and withdrawal from active participation in social and postage is paid at Merrifield, V A. Postmaster: economic roles. Send address changes 10 American Psychological Society, 1010 Vermont Ave., NW, Stc. 1100, Wash­ At its most basic, research supported and conducted by the NIA on adult cognition ington. DC 20005-4907. attempts to link behavioral changes in aging to the brain mechanisms in which they are Contributors: Unsolicited ruticles, announcemenLS. grounded. The search for clues to understanding the human brain-behavior relationship and letters 10 the editor should be submiued [Q the Editor at Ihe address above. seeks to defme how these relationships are affected by the aging process and how they impact the detection, early diagnosis, and ultimate treatment of pathological cogniti ve changes that occur with aging, such as those associated with Alzheimer's disease. We also look to these studies to provide explanations for the great individual differences The job classified ad rate is $6.50 per line that exist in cognition among people in late life. (approx. 34 cbaracters fit on a Line; 6-1ine mmimum). C opy must be received by the 15th of the month preceding the month of publication. Advertisers are invoiced after New Developments, Exciting Times publication. An editorial calendar and a dis­ This has been a particularly exciting year in the fi eld, as there have been several play ad rate sheet are available upon request. Contact important aging research-related developments.