PS History - Psychonomic Society

History of PS

The Psychonomic Society was founded by a group of experimental psychologists during a meeting in Chicago, Illinois, in December 1959 and incorporated on March 31, 1960, in Wisconsin, USA. The main goal was to create a society that would support open communication about psychological science with minimal structure. Four articles, written by Donald A. Dewsbury and Robert C. Bolles, describing the Society’s history from its founding to 1996 appeared in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review. You can view the articles here:

The founding of the Psychonomic Society

History of the Psychonomic Society II: The journal publishing program

History of the Psychonomic Society III: The meetings of the Psychonomic Society

History of the Psychonomic Society IV: The development of the Psychonomic Society

An article written by Colin MacLeod presents a survey of the first 40 years of the journal Memory & Cognition. You can read his article here:

M&C: The first 40 years

In 2023, the Governing Board engaged the expertise of historians from The Archives of the History of American Psychology at the University of Akron to update our historical narrative spanning from 1997 to 2014. Authored by Jennifer L. Bazar and Kelli Vaughn-Johnson, the article entitled “A Time of Significant Challenges and Change: The Psychonomic Society, 1997-2014" provides an insightful exploration of this pivotal period in our organization’s evolution.

A Time of Significant Challenges and Change: The Psychonomic Society, 1997-2014

A trio of prominent Psychonomes, D. Stephen Lindsay, R. Reed Hunt, and Brian Ross, wrote a paper about their experience in helping to close down the Society’s publishing arm and transitioning to a major publisher during that same time frame. You can read their article here:

Psychonomic Society Publications: A Participants’ Account of the Transition from Self-Publishing to Partnering with Springer

Today

Building on more than a half a century of service to experimental and cognitive psychology, the Psychonomic Society:

Represents more than 4,300 researchers from over 60 countries.

Publishes seven highly respected journals.

Hosts an annual meeting with 2,200 – 2,650 attendees and 1,300 – 1,500 scientific presentations.

Recognizes outstanding contributions to the field throughout the lifespan through our awards’ program.

Practicing fiscally responsibly not only ensures the future stability of the Society but underscores its commitment to supporting its members, their research endeavors, meetings, and journals - fundamental reasons for the Society's establishment.

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