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SCP as Division 23 of the American Psychological Association
Founded in 1892, the American Psychological Association (APA) is the largest scientific and professional
organization of psychologists in the world, with more than 135,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants,
and students as its members. APA's overall mission is "to advance the creation, communication and application of
psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives." APA is organized in 54 divisions representing
the various interests of their members with respect to subfields of psychology or topical areas. APA divisions
include, for example, Experimental Psychology (Division 3), the Society for Personality and Social Psychology
(Division 8), and the Society for Clinical Psychology (Division 12).
The Society for Consumer Psychology was founded in 1962 as the 23rd Division of APA, with the specific
mission to advance the science of consumer psychology. Although the Society was incorporated as an independent
entity in 1988, it has always retained its prestigious APA divisional status. SCP is closely connected to APA in
many respects: SCP participates in APA's Annual Convention in the summer; it has a representative on APA's Council
of Representatives; some SCP Fellows also become APA Division 23 Fellows; SCP Presidents participate in
APA Division Leadership Conferences; and a substantial number of SCP members are also members of APA. (We strongly
encourage SCP members to be members of APA as well.)