Society of Experimental Social Psychology

The Society of Experimental Social Psychology (SESP) is a scientific organization of social scientists founded in 1965 with the goal of advancing and communicating theories in social psychology. Its first chairperson was Edwin P. Hollander. To expand the knowledge of social psychology, Edwin P. Hollander and his colleague Edgar Vinacke wrote 35 other social psychologists in the interest of a research-oriented social and personal psychology society. This focus was to develop a smaller group of research-oriented scientists with similar interests within the field of social psychology. The society meets annually for discussions that vary in topic. These topics usually include its membership, content of the society, and research interests among its members. To become a member, one must be a social psychologist, show evidence of contribution to social psychology, receive a nomination, and complete an application. SESP publishes the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology and Social Psychological and Personality Science.

SESP was founded in 1965 by Edwin P. Hollander and his colleague Edgar Vinacke. Psychological societies of the time such as the American Psychological Association, were very large. They encompassed many different fields of psychology. Hollander thought it would be beneficial to form a smaller group of social scientists, focused primarily on experimental research. Since the psychological societies of the time were so vast, this would allow a smaller organization that could have more intimate dialogue on the subject matter, and also give the organization more flexibility. Hollander and Vinacke wrote 35 other prominent social psychologists of the time. Those that shown interest in the endeavor were invited to a meeting to discuss the structure of forming the SESP. The meeting took place in Chicago on May 1, 1965. William McGuire, Albert Pepitone, Marvin Shaw, Ezra Stotland, Fred Strodtbcck, W. Edgar Vinacke, and Edwin P. Hollander were in attendance. Some early members that are well-known social psychologists include; Solomon Asch, Leon Festinger, Harold Kelley, and Stanley Schachter.

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