On the status of implicit memory bias in anxiety

The present study evaluated the status of mood congruent memory bias in implicit memory tasks for threat related information. A literature review complemented by three experiments on high and low trait anxiety participants found no implicit memory bias for threat-related information in anxious individuals on either word fragment completion or tachistoscopic word identification tasks. The theoretical implications of these results are discussed.     

The Political Reputation of Students in Upper Secondary School: Consequences for Their Collective Political Activities Four Years Later

This longitudinal study examines the role that students' political reputation in class plays in their future political activities offline together with other people. When aged 16, students were asked to nominate the classmates they considered politically knowledgeable and verbal in class, that is, as having a political reputation. This measure of political reputation was used to predict the participants' political activities offline four years later at age 20 and their attempts to take a stand in public in the national election the same year. The study controlled for individual differences in political interest, self-perceived political impact in class, the students' political activities at age 16, and also gender and immigrant status. About 300 Swedish students were followed up four years later. Political reputation in class positively predicted future political activities offline, membership of political organizations, and attempts to take a stand in public for a party in the forthcoming national election. At the same time, the role played by political reputation depended upon students' other characteristics, especially their levels of anger and popularity, as observed by classmates. Evidently, the group dynamics in class that give some students a political reputation have long-term consequences for their future political activities.     

Addressing Diversity in the Decade of Behavior: Focus on Women of Color

The Decade of Behavior provides an opportunity to reflect on the need for psychologists to develop a "diversity mindfulness" in their education, training, and research activities, a need that has never been more urgent. In this article, we focus on the lives of women of color to illustrate diversity-mindful feminist principles that may inform research and program development related to other aspects of diversity. We discuss perspectives and priorities of women of color in psychology. We consider why implementing feminist psychology's inclusive vision for research is a continuing struggle, particularly with regard to research on poor women, and identify some contributions and priorities of feminist research on women of color that relate to Decade goals of achieving a "safer, better educated, healthier, more democratic and more prosperous nation" (White, Travis, & Russo, 2001, p. x). Understanding and incorporating perspectives of women of color in Decade activities is essential if researchers are to generate new knowledge "to prepare the world for facing emerging problems in the 21st century" (Decade of Behavior website: http://www.decadeofbehavior.org).     

BARBARA STRUDLER WALLSTON

The death of Barbara Strudler Wallston on January 3, 1987, brought to a sudden end the rich and diverse life of a complex personality, who combined scholarship, leadership, and advocacy with a zest for living. A highly productive scholar, inspiring teacher, and feminist leader who loved dancing and music, Barbara Wallston translated her compassion for disadvantaged individuals and commitment to social justice into direct and constructive action. In her too brief 15-year career, she generated more than 70 publications and 94 professional presentations spanning such areas as health, gender, sex roles, sexuality, and social issues. Her extraordinary leadership and scholarly achievements led to her election to Fellow in recognition of "outstanding and sustained national contributions" in five APA divisions. In 1986 she was awarded Division 35's Carolyn Wood Sherif Memorial Lectureship for contributions that continue to enrich and inform the lives of her colleagues, students, and friends, and that have earned her recognition as a pioneer in contemporary feminist psychology.