Society of Experimental Social Psychology

Society of Experimental Social Psychology
Name	Society of Experimental Social Psychology
Founded	1965
Type	Scientific society
Focus	Social psychology
Headquarters	United States
Website	https://www.sesp.org/

Society of Experimental Social Psychology. The Society of Experimental Social Psychology (SESP) is a prestigious scientific organization dedicated to advancing the empirical study of social behavior. Founded in 1965, it serves as a central forum for researchers employing rigorous experimental methods to investigate fundamental social processes. The society promotes high-quality research, facilitates scholarly exchange, and recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of social psychology.

History and founding

The society was established in 1965 by a group of prominent social psychologists who sought to create a focused organization for researchers committed to experimental methodology. Key figures in its formation included Harold H. Kelley, John W. Thibaut, and Albert Pepitone, among others. The founding emerged during a period of rapid growth for social psychology, following influential work by scholars like Leon Festinger on cognitive dissonance and Stanley Milgram on obedience. The inaugural meeting was held in conjunction with the annual convention of the American Psychological Association, establishing a tradition of scholarly gatherings. Early members were instrumental in shaping the field's direction, emphasizing laboratory and field experiments to test theories about attitude change, social influence, and interpersonal relationships.

Mission and objectives

The primary mission is to promote and support the generation of new knowledge through experimental research in social psychology. A core objective is to foster the highest standards of methodological rigor and theoretical innovation among its members. The society aims to facilitate communication and collaboration between scientists at institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, and the University of Michigan. It also seeks to mentor early-career researchers and support the dissemination of scientific findings to broader academic and public audiences. This mission aligns with advancing the scientific understanding of phenomena such as prejudice, group dynamics, and prosocial behavior.

Key activities and publications

A central activity is the annual scientific conference, which features symposia, paper sessions, and keynote addresses by leading figures such as Elliot Aronson or Susan T. Fiske. The society's official journal, the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, is a premier outlet for publishing cutting-edge research. SESP also organizes specialized preconferences, methodological workshops, and summer schools for graduate students. It maintains an active presence at meetings of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology and the European Association of Social Psychology. These activities ensure a continuous exchange of ideas on topics ranging from social cognition and emotion to the psychology of justice and morality.

Governance and membership

Governance is conducted by an elected executive committee, including a President, Past-President, and President-Elect, with notable past presidents including Alice H. Eagly and Robert B. Cialdini. Membership is by nomination and election, intended to be selective, recognizing sustained contributions to experimental social psychology. The membership comprises faculty from major research universities worldwide, senior scientists at institutions like the Max Planck Institute, and a growing number of international scholars. Committees oversee functions such as the annual meeting, awards, and diversity initiatives, ensuring the society's operations support its scientific mission across the global research community.

Awards and recognition

The society administers several prestigious awards to honor scientific achievement. The highest honor is the Distinguished Scientist Award, awarded to luminaries such as Shelley E. Taylor and Claude Steele. The Career Trajectory Award recognizes mid-career scholars, while the Dissertation Award highlights exceptional work by new PhD recipients. The Journal of Experimental Social Psychology also bestows an annual award for the best paper. These awards not only recognize individual contributions but also signal the field's evolving priorities, from foundational work on attribution theory to contemporary research on implicit bias and cultural psychology.

Impact and legacy

The society has had a profound impact on the trajectory of social psychology as a scientific discipline. It has been instrumental in cementing the experimental method as a gold standard for testing causal hypotheses about social behavior. Its members have produced landmark studies that have entered the public discourse, influencing domains from law and public policy to business and education. The society's emphasis on rigor has also spurred methodological advancements and replication efforts. Its legacy is evident in the continued vitality of experimental research and the training of generations of scientists who now lead departments at institutions like Yale University, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the London School of Economics.

Category:Scientific societies Category:Social psychology organizations