In order to formulate social policy which is responsive to needs of women and other minority groups, decision makers must be better informed about alternative options, incentives, and unintended as well as intended consequences of various policies. Social scientists can contribute to decision makers' understandings of social factors in numerous ways. They can call attention to policy-relevant questions, provide impact analyses, and conduct evaluation research. Institutional mechanisms for producing the most useful research about women and minorities must be devised through cooperative efforts of government agencies, research organizations, and interest groups. Also, graduate programs in psychology and related social sciences should train students to conceptualize, understand, and investigate public policy issues. Problem areas in which research on women could have a significant impact include community response to physical, aesthetic, and service needs; welfare policies; occupational choice and affirmative action; and situational determinants of sex-typed traits. (DB)