George Herbert Mead first taught his social psychology course at the University of Chicago in 1900. Two years later, Charles Horton Cooley's Human Nature and the Social Order was published. In 1908, sociologist Edward Ross published one of the first social psychology textbooks in the United States (the other, also in 1908, was by the psychologist William McDougall).

From these beginnings there has developed a rich tradition of sociological social psychology. Our emphases have been on the effect organization of social life on peoples thoughts, feelings, and behavior, and how face-to-face interaction reproduces society.

The Social Psychology Section of the ASA works to keep the spirit of social psychology alive in sociology. Today we represent over 600 scholars whose interest include self-conceptions and identity, social cognition, the shaping of emotions by culture and social structure, the creation of meaning and the negotiation of social order in everyday life, small group dynamics, and the psychological consequences of inequality.

Many section members also identify with other areas of sociological research. But all bring to their research and teaching a special interest in the individual as both a social product and a social force. The common desire is to understand the many connections between individuals and the groups to which they belong.

The Social Psychology Section promotes social psychology within sociology by organizing paper sessions, roundtables, workshops, mini-conferences, and social events at the annual meetings of the ASA and regional associations. The Section also publishes a newsletter on issues of interest to social psychologists; maintains a web page with information relevant to the section and social psychology generally; maintains a listserv for open discussion among members of the section; endorses the publication of Social Psychology Quarterly; sponsors publication of the compendium Social Psychology: Sociological Perspectives; and presents the Cooley-Mead Award annual to a distinguished scholar for outstanding contributions to social psychology.

Membership in the Social Psychology Section is open to all members of the American Sociological Association. We invite all sociologists who are interested in social psychology, or who take a social-psychological approach to some other area of research, to join the Social Psychology Section. Upon joining, we encourage your involvement in Section activities. This will ensure that the Section evolves to serve the interests of its members.

Graduate students are especially encouraged to join and take advantage of the Section's student paper sessions at annual meetings, to compete for the Sections best graduate student paper award, and to run for representation on the Section council. Students who are already members of ASA can join the Section for a small fee.

Section membership for a graduate student makes a nice gift from a faculty sponsor.

Click here for information about how to join. If you are already a member, please pass this information along to a colleague. Take part in keeping social psychology alive and growing.