In recent years there has been a rapid emergence of research and theories with broad implications for understanding personality. For example, new findings about the origins of personality traits are emerging from population and molecular genetics research, as well as from studies of the neurophysiology of individual differences. Evolutionary approaches are clarifying the adaptive pressures that have shaped emotions and social behavior. Research on the interface between personality and child and life-span development is helping to create important new models of continuity and change. Social-cognitive approaches to motivation (e.g., plans, projects, scripts) and the development of narrative theories and methods are revolutionizing the study of lives. Moreover, personality research is increasingly influential in many important areas, including the conceptualization and diagnosis of psychopathology, health attitudes and behavior, the study of close relationships, politics and public policy, and performance in the workplace.

Psychology needs a forum for bringing together the wide range of investigators who are responsible for this scientific progress. This is the purpose of ARP.  

Members do not have to define themselves as "personality psychologists." In fact, many of those who currently are making important contributions to our field and attend our meetings were trained in other specialties (e.g., clinical psychology, social psychology, psychiatry, human development, health psychology, I/O psychology, etc.).

What are the benefits of ARP Membership? Members are able to register for the ARP conference at a discounted rate and receive a subscription to the Journal of Research in Personality (currently edited by Richard E. Lucas) and on-line access to Social Psychological and Personality Science. The Journal of Research in Personality (JRP) publishes theoretical and empirical work in the traditional areas of personality, including both trait and dynamic process-oriented approaches, as well as work from related areas (e.g., genetics, cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology) that is relevant to understanding both normal and pathological aspects of personality. Social Psychological and Personality Science, co-sponsored with several other scientific societies, publishes cutting-edge, short reports of important studies in personality and social psychology.  Moving beyond the SPSP preconferences that were our initial meeting place, ARP has begun to hold free-standing biannual meetings.  The first meeting was in Evanston in 2009 and the next is scheduled for Riverside, California in 2011.  We hope you will join us in this organization that seeks to unite all personality researchers within a single group.

To join ARP, please follow the link to our application form.