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SPSP is the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc., a scholarly society for researchers, teachers and practitioners of personality and social psychology. It was founded in 1974, and its own site reports more than 7,500 members. It is not a statistical term: searches for “SPSP” in a research-methods context almost always mean this organisation, which holds the annual SPSP convention and is linked to the three SAGE journals PSPB, PSPR and SPPS.
What does SPSP stand for?
SPSP stands for Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Its stated mission is “to advance the science, teaching, and application of personality and social psychology for the benefit of all people.” The society describes its annual convention as its flagship event (symposia, poster sessions and workshops). It is a different body from the Association for Psychological Science and from the American Psychological Association, although it also serves as one of APA’s divisions (see below).
Which journals are connected to SPSP?
SPSP’s publications page lists three journals published by SAGE, plus a fourth, Personality Science, that SPSP says it does not publish itself. The journals differ by article type, which matters when choosing a venue or when deciding how to cite a result.
| Journal | What it publishes | Cadence reported |
|---|---|---|
| Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (PSPB) | Original empirical papers | Monthly |
| Personality and Social Psychology Review (PSPR) | Theoretical and review articles | Not stated on the page read |
| Social Psychological and Personality Science (SPPS) | Short-report empirical papers | Eight issues a year |
| Personality Science | Published by SAGE with SPSP and other societies; open access with no fees; relaunched in 2024 | Not stated on the page read |
The practical split: PSPB and SPPS carry primary empirical studies (full-length and short-report respectively), while PSPR is where theory and synthesis appear. A review of a body of work, such as the literature behind the theory of planned behavior, is a PSPR-type article, not a PSPB-type one. SPSP also reports that Personality Science is a separate, society-partnered journal rather than an SPSP title.
Who can join SPSP and what does membership include?
SPSP lists several membership categories: undergraduate, graduate, early career (doctorate within the last six years), associate (for people without a doctorate, who cannot vote or hold office), full, retired, and a rate for low- and middle-income countries. Listed benefits include journal access, networking, awards, discounted events, workshops and grants. Fees are set by SPSP and change, so consult the society’s membership page for current rates.
What is the SPSP convention?
The SPSP Annual Convention is the society’s flagship meeting, with symposia, poster sessions and workshops. SPSP also runs the Division 8 programme at the APA Convention; its events page lists the next APA Convention for August 12-14, 2027, in San Francisco and virtually (as listed on spsp.org, checked 2026-11-08).
How does SPSP relate to APA Division 8?
APA’s own division page titles Division 8 “Society for Personality and Social Psychology” and describes its aim as advancing theory, basic and applied research, and practice in personality and social psychology. In other words, SPSP is APA Division 8, and it also operates as an independent society with its own membership and journals. For the full list of APA’s divisions and how they are organised, see APA divisions explained. For the wider discipline, see what is psychology.
FAQ
Is SPSP the same as APA Division 8?
Yes. APA’s Division 8 page carries the name Society for Personality and Social Psychology, and SPSP’s site links to its Division 8 activities.
Which SPSP journal should I read for a theory overview?
Personality and Social Psychology Review, which SPSP describes as its theoretical and review journal.
Which SPSP journal publishes short empirical reports?
Social Psychological and Personality Science (SPPS), published eight times a year according to SPSP.
Is SPSP a statistical method?
No. SPSP is an organisation. If you were looking for a statistical concept, the research-methods section of this site covers those separately.
Sources
- Society for Personality and Social Psychology, About: https://spsp.org/about (read 2026-11-08)
- SPSP, Publications: https://spsp.org/publications (read 2026-11-08)
- SPSP, Membership: https://spsp.org/membership (read 2026-11-08)
- APA, Society for Personality and Social Psychology (Division 8): https://www.apa.org/about/division/div8 (listed in search 2026-11-08)
- SPSP, APA Convention (Division 8): https://spsp.org/events/apa-convention-division-8 (2026-11-08)
