Society for Personality and Social Psychology

Society for Personality and Social Psychology
Name	Society for Personality and Social Psychology
Founded	0 1974
Location	Washington, D.C.
Key people	Colin Wayne Leach (President, 2024)
Website	https://spsp.org/

Society for Personality and Social Psychology. The Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) is the primary professional organization for scholars dedicated to advancing the scientific study of personality psychology, social psychology, and their integration. Founded in 1974, it fosters the exchange of ideas through major publications, an annual convention, and numerous awards. With thousands of members worldwide, it is a central force in shaping research, education, and the application of psychological science to societal issues.

History

The society was established in 1974, emerging from growing recognition of the need for a dedicated organization bridging the fields of personality psychology and social psychology. Key early figures included prominent researchers like David C. Funder and Mark Snyder, who advocated for a unified scientific community. Its formation was closely tied to the success of its flagship journal, the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, which began publication under the American Psychological Association in 1965. Over subsequent decades, it expanded its influence, launching additional journals and establishing its annual meeting as a premier event in the field, distinct from larger gatherings like the APA or the Association for Psychological Science.

Organization and governance

The society is governed by an elected Board of Directors and led by a President, with recent leadership including scholars such as Jennifer Tackett and Colin Wayne Leach. Key committees oversee areas like fellowships, diversity, and international affairs. Membership is open to students, academics, and professionals, with categories including regular, student, and international members. SPSP maintains its central office in Washington, D.C., and its operations are supported by professional staff who manage events, publications, and advocacy efforts. The society maintains formal relationships with other major organizations, including the European Association of Social Psychology and the Asian Association of Social Psychology.

Publications

SPSP sponsors and oversees several leading academic journals. Its flagship publication is the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, one of the most cited journals in the field. Other core publications include Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin and Personality and Social Psychology Review, which publish original research and theoretical integrations, respectively. The society also publishes Social Psychological and Personality Science, known for innovative and concise research articles. These journals are published in partnership with SAGE Publications and are critical outlets for research on topics from attribution theory to intergroup relations.

Annual convention

The SPSP Annual Convention is a major international gathering, typically held in cities like San Francisco, New Orleans, or Atlanta. It features thousands of presentations, including symposia, poster sessions, and keynote addresses by luminaries such as Carol Dweck or Claude Steele. The event includes professional development workshops, mentoring sessions, and social events designed to foster collaboration. Special theme programs often address pressing issues like reproducibility, open science, or the implications of research for public policy. The convention serves as the primary venue for presenting recipients of the society's major awards.

Awards and honors

The society administers a prestigious suite of awards recognizing scientific achievement. The highest honor is the Donald T. Campbell Award for distinguished contributions to social psychology. Other major awards include the Jack Block Award for personality psychology, the Career Contribution Award, and the Methodological Innovator Award. Early career contributions are recognized through the Rising Star Award and the SAGE Young Scholars Award. The society also bestows teaching and mentorship awards, such as the Jon L. Izzard Teaching Award, and student poster awards at its annual convention.

Affiliated groups

SPSP supports numerous specialized groups that focus on specific research areas or member constituencies. These include the Personality and Social Psychology Network, the SPSP International Committee, and the SPSP Student Committee. Thematic groups, often called "clusters," concentrate on domains like moral psychology, political psychology, or health psychology. The society also fosters the SPSP Diversity and Climate Committee and the Women in Personality and Social Psychology group to promote inclusion. These affiliates organize events, sponsor conference programming, and provide networking forums within the broader society.

Category:Psychological associations Category:Social psychology Category:Personality psychology Category:Organizations based in Washington, D.C. Category:Scientific organizations established in 1974