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What is the Association for Psychological Science?
The Association for Psychological Science (APS) is a membership organization for psychological scientists. According to its own history page, its story begins in 1988. Its headquarters address is 1800 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 402, Washington, DC 20036.
In early 2026, following a revision of its bylaws in late 2025, the APS Board of Directors adopted a mission statement: “To be the home of integrative and rigorous psychological science” that connects people, methods, and careers for public good across the world. For readers new to the field, the what is psychology guide gives the wider background.
What does APS cover and publish?
APS lists four guiding pillars: foster rigorous, innovative, and integrative science; promote the public value and application of psychological science; advocate for the discipline and strengthen scientific literacy; and support diverse careers for the next generation of scientists and educators while growing the global psychological science workforce.
Its publications page lists these journals:
- Psychological Science (ISSN 1467-9280)
- Current Directions in Psychological Science (ISSN 1467-8721)
- Perspectives on Psychological Science (ISSN 1745-6924)
- Clinical Psychological Science (ISSN 2167-7026)
- Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science (AMPPS; ISSN 2515-2459)
- Psychological Science in the Public Interest (PSPI; ISSN 1529-1006)
- Advances in Psychological Science Open (APSO; ISSN 3049-5822), described by APS as its open-access journal
Each journal sets its own submission rules, so check the journal’s page before preparing a manuscript. Authors who share preprints often use servers such as PsyArXiv, and Center for Open Science tools are common in open-science workflows; confirm each journal’s policy on prior posting.
What is the APS Annual Convention?
The APS Annual Convention is held in May. The conventions page lists the 2026 meeting in Barcelona, Spain (May 28-30, 2026) and the 2027 meeting in Seattle, Washington (May 27-30, 2027). Program details, deadlines, and registration are on the individual convention pages.
How does APS membership work?
APS membership categories, benefits, and fees are listed on the APS membership page, which also links to its awards and honors section for recognition of members from early career to lifetime achievement. Because fees and benefits change, check that page directly.
Strengths and limits
- Strength: a single society that combines journals, an annual convention, and awards around scientific psychology, with an explicit emphasis on rigorous and integrative science.
- Limit: it is a scientific society, so researchers looking for licensure or practice guidance should consult professional bodies in their own jurisdiction.
Which other societies do psychologists consider?
Researchers often compare APS with the American Psychological Association, the Psychonomic Society, and the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Their scope and membership terms are set out on their own websites. When choosing where to publish, you can also compare review models in single-blind vs double-blind vs open peer review, and find literature with the PsycINFO search strategy guide.
Frequently asked questions
What journals does the Association for Psychological Science publish?
The APS publications page lists Psychological Science, Current Directions in Psychological Science, Perspectives on Psychological Science, Clinical Psychological Science, Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science, Psychological Science in the Public Interest, and the open-access Advances in Psychological Science Open.
What is APS membership?
It is APS’s membership program for the psychological science community. Categories and benefits are listed on the APS membership page.
When is the APS convention?
The convention is held in May: Barcelona on May 28-30, 2026, and Seattle on May 27-30, 2027.
When was APS founded?
APS’s about page says its story begins in 1988.
Sources
- Association for Psychological Science. About APS: mission and guiding pillars. https://www.psychologicalscience.org/about (checked 2026-11-07).
- Association for Psychological Science. Publications. https://www.psychologicalscience.org/publications (checked 2026-11-07).
- Association for Psychological Science. Membership. https://www.psychologicalscience.org/members (checked 2026-11-07).
- Association for Psychological Science. Conventions. https://www.psychologicalscience.org/conventions (checked 2026-11-07).
