This study compared 15 lesbian couples and the 3-to 9-year-old children born to them through donor insemination with 15 matched, heterosexual-parent families. A variety of assessment measures were used to evaluate the children's cognitive functioning and behavioral adjustment as well as the parents' relationship quality and parenting skills. Results revealed no significant differences between the 2 groups of children, who also compared favorably with the standardization samples for the instruments used. In addition, no significant differences were found between dyadic adjustment of lesbian and heterosexual couples. Only in the area of parenting did the 2 groups of couples differ; lesbian couples exhibited more parenting awareness skills than did heterosexual couples. The implications of these findings are discussed.

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The Human Genome Project mapped the complete DNA sequence that exists in each human cell, but questions remain about how genes are expressed. Epigenetics is defined as mechanisms of gene expression that can be maintained across cell divisions, and thus the life of the organism, without changing the DNA sequence. Recent research has identified important epigenetic mechanisms that play essential roles in normal and abnormal development. Of special significance for psychology are the findings that environmental and psychosocial factors can change the epigenome. Research also suggests that some experiences and epigenetic changes of an individual can be passed down to more than one generation of descendants. Linkages between epigenetics and psychopathology are emerging that point to new possibilities for conceptualizing, preventing, and treating disorders.

Advances in technology occasionally allow for innovations in the practice of psychology. Neurofeedback is one such modality; in it, individuals learn to change patterns of brain waves through operant conditioning. Research shows that a number of neurological and psychological disorders can be characterized by distinctive EEG patterns and that neurofeedback may help clients to change those patterns. The evidence regarding neurofeedback's efficacy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and other disorders is reviewed. Using control group designs, four different research teams have found neurofeedback to be effective for ADHD participants; research on outcomes for other disorders is at a much more preliminary stage. Practicing psychologists are encouraged to explore the potential of this alternative and distinctly psychological modality.

Male offspring of prenatally stressed rats showed low levels of copulatory behavior during a series of brief tests with estrous females but successfully impregnated female cagemates during long term tests of breeding effectiveness. Sexual performance on the short term tests was inversely related to open field activity with the offspring of prenatally handled mothers exhibiting more sexual behavior and less open field activity. The results support the notion that prenatal stress influences both the sexual behavior and emotional reactivity of male offspring. Deficits observed during short term tests of breeding effectiveness appear to be reversible under optimal conditions.