Presidential Report – Spring 2015

Rebekah DeZalia

As president of Division 48, I wanted to use this newsletter report to welcome all of you and to update you on some of the changes in the division this year. The executive committee has been working to make Division 48 a place where all peace psychologists can find a beneficial outlet for our shared interests. When I began my presidency, the division was going through some growing pains – or more accurately, pains from a lack of growth. I have been trying to fulfill my promise to increase the inclusivity and technology within the division to make this a more relevant and welcoming division. There are three ways in which we are making strides to accomplish that.

Peace Psychology Division COR Representative Report

Eduardo I. Diaz, PhD

April 15, 2015

Thank you for electing me to a second term as one of two representatives to APA’s Council of Representatives from Division 48. I look forward to witnessing more constructive changes in APA governance structure and practice through 2017.
There seems to be some increase in reform minded representatives on Council and we are all looking forward to the outcome of the contracted investigation into APA collusion with torture perpetrators in the U.S. military and other government agencies. I am confident that there are individuals on board Council who will insist a thorough review of the process, regardless of who gets to read the report first.
Council is going through some growing pains as it struggles to incorporate the new Council Leadership Team (CLT) led process for how meetings are conducted. I believe it will take a couple of years for clarity to emerge as to the actual role the Board and the CLT will play in APA governance.
Our first face to face meeting of 2015 proved beneficial to me given how much I learned from my colleagues. We had an excellent educational session on implicit bias and we participated in a variety of workshop like sessions exploring the future of Psychology. In one of these, we discussed how best to translate Psychology to the diverse publics we serve.
I was led to question how little I do to communicate about Peace Psychology to my Hispanic American community in Miami. I decided to confront my Spanish media fears upon my return home and actually agreed to be the subject of a mini-biography video production by a local TV station, Telemundo Channel 51. The result was somewhat pleasing, I got to experience my 2 minutes and 39 seconds of fame on Saturday afternoon, April 11, 2015, when it aired as part of the local news in a segment called Rostros de Nuestra Ciudad. The segment is up on YouTube now at https://youtu.be/1Gwha2YTfE8 and you are welcome to send me your critique of my performance. My goal was to begin to build trust with an audience that has never heard of Peace Psychology.
I am more committed than ever to the idea that we must grow a Peace Psychology movement, both within mainstream Psychology and externally in our home communities. Please consider doing your part.
Please email me at avpmiami@aol.com, or call me at 786-239-2252, to provide me with your comments and concerns about how best to translate what we know about Peace Psychology to those we choose to serve.

Behind the Scenes at APA Council

Jean Maria Arrigo, PhD

Division 48 Representative to Council

April 22, 2015

For the official summary of actions taken at the February meeting of the APA Council of Representatives, please see “Council Focuses on Advancing the Field” by Rhea K Farberman, APA Executive Director for Public and Member Communications, in the April issue of the APA’s Monitor on Psychology (http://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/04/upfront-advancing.aspx).

MaL letter

Fr. John Paul Szura, OSA

I have been serving as Member-at-Large (MaL) for more than two years and am coming to the end of my term. Being part of the Division 48 Executive Committee has been a challenge, a responsibility and a joy. It has also been an adventure in flexibility. The MaL role is seen differently by different people. At times, I have been asked to help another Ex Comm member in their area and at times I have been asked to take on a task that seems not to be anyone else’s. My own idea of the MaL includes care for the division infrastructure. In fact, many in the division are not at all clear on what a MaL should do. But I think we would agree that the role has something to do with the interests of the membership as a whole. So if we can agree on that, let me ask something of you. If you have any concerns about Division 48, please feel free to contact me with them.

A Unified Approach to Peace Learning

Linda Freeman, PhD, LMHC, CAP, Professor of Psychology

Valencia College, Orlando, Florida

Achieving peace is complex process requiring the peace-building efforts gathered from various disciplines. Nationwide institutions providing Peace and Justice Studies are driven by the consensus that peace and activism can be learned and require interdisciplinary efforts. The Peace and Justice Initiative at Valencia College shares the same vision by utilizing an interdisciplinary format to explore, learn, and engage in practices that cultivate peace and sustainability within the individual and the community.

The Need for Mindfulness in 21st Century Education

Linda Freeman, PhD, LMHC, CAP, Professor of Psychology

Institution: Valencia College, Orlando, Florida

Imagine this scenario: In the middle of a lecture, one of your students deliberately makes an offensive remark that causes the other students to laugh. Moreover, another student uses the opportunity to ask, “When is the next exam.” The next thing you know, your lecture is derailed and the next several minutes are spent re-orienting the class’s attention while your inner voice angrily clamors, “What is wrong with these students?” Sound familiar?

Hunting for Happiness: Positive Psychology Students Take Action

Linda Freeman, PhD, LMHC, CAP, Professor of Psychology

Valencia College, Orlando, Florida

Over the past decade, Positive Psychology has been drawing in the attention of both academicians and researchers for its unique and fresh approach to life. Often called, ‘The Science of Happiness,” Positive Psychology is leading the way in its discoveries of what creates long-lasting joy. Among the many theories that are purported to cultivate happiness, one stands clear. When we engage in activities out of a sense of personal enrichment rather work in pursuit of money, fame of fortune, our happiness quotient increases. One such activity that Positive Psychology students are tasked with involves altruism.