American Psychological Association

A coalition of medical groups and child advocates called Friday for guidelines that would prevent Internet companies from tracking the behavior of minors online, contending that many adolescents are divulging more than they realize and aren't digesting complex privacy policies. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Assn.

The nation's largest group of psychologists scrapped a measure that would have prohibited members from assisting interrogators at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and other U.S. military detention centers. The American Psychological Assn.'s policymaking council rejected a proposal to ban psychologists from taking part in interrogations "in which detainees are deprived of adequate protection of their human rights."

Violence in video games is bad for children's health. So says the American Psychological Assn., which is calling on the industry to cut it back. Research indicates exposure to violence in video games increases aggressive thoughts, aggressive behavior and angry feelings among youth, the association said in a statement issued Wednesday. In addition, it said, this exposure reduces helpful behavior and increases physiological arousal in children and adolescents.

Ronald Reagan was the least neurotic. Thomas Jefferson was the most intelligent. Warren G. Harding was the least open to experience and the least conscientious. And Teddy Roosevelt led the pack in extroversion. These findings are drawn from an extensive, new database on presidential character and personality that its creators--psychologists who specialize in job performance--hope will become a tool to assist Americans in selecting their leaders.