About Us

The Society for Personality Assessment is dedicated to the development of methods of personality assessment, the advancement of research on their effectiveness, the exchange of ideas about the theory and practice of assessment, and the promotion of the applied practice of personality assessment.

With 1500 international members, we are the largest organization in the world with this focus. Our membership is varied and includes clinicians in private practice, forensic assessors, researchers in private and public setting, and educators in academic settings.

SPA focuses on the unique needs and interests of its members by:

  • Offering Annual Meetings and publications tailored to their needs and interests
  • Providing opportunities to meet colleagues and develop professional relationships
  • Promoting research in personality assessment
  • Actively advocating for legislative issues on behalf of personality assessment
  • Fostering professional and educational development
  • Supporting students with research and travel grants

 

SPA HISTORY

 

The Society for Personality Assessment (SPA) was founded in Essex County, New Jersey by Bruno Klopfer (right) and a group of his students. Over the years the Society expanded to include a full spectrum of techniques including the Rorschach inkblots, picture-based story telling tests, self-report personality inventories, and structured interviews. Initially incorporated as the Rorschach Institute, Inc. in 1938, the Society adopted its current name in 1971 to reflect our interest in the entire spectrum of issues present in contemporary personality assessment and to focus the Society as a special interest group concerned with promoting the exchange of ideas and information about personality assessment in research and in practice. Throughout its history, SPA has maintained a commitment to the belief that both individual growth and scientific advance are best fostered by lively evidence-based debate among proponents of a wide variety of methods and theories in a context of warm personal relationships.

 


Important Links

Please visit the following pages for important information related to our cause and efforts.

Newsletters

Click here to find past and present newsletters from SPA

Applications and Forms

Become an SPA member now! Fill out the online form here.

A membership application, a Fellow application and a status change form can be downloaded in PDF form. See below...