Public Employee Press

Psychologists honor Dr. Davidman

Dr. Leonard Davidman, the president of Psychologists Local 1189, received high honors Nov. 7 at the annual Greater New York Conference on Behavioral Research.

The all-day meeting, sponsored by universities and professional organizations, highlighted faculty and student research in social psychology. After the presentation of research results, Conference Director Dr. Harold Takooshian introduced Davidman to participants as an official Guest of Honor for his "dedication to student education and professional growth."

In addition to his union duties, Davidman is an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at New York Medical College.

Takooshian, famed for his research on the "bystander effect" after the 1964 Kitty Genovese murder in Queens, where 38 people heard her scream for her life but no one felt a responsibility to take action, is considered one of the nation's leading social psychologists. He called Davidman a "legend in New York psychology circles."

Takooshian praised the union president for "working to benefit others" with "immense energy, heart and talent" and for "filling the communications gap among psychologists" with posts on the State Psychological Association's ListServe.