Department of PsychologyDepartment of Psychology
SDSU Psychology Department Hosts International Conference
|
Dr. Thierry Devos and Psychology graduate students, Joyvin Benton (seated next to Dr. Devos) and Sima Mostafavi chat with Dr. Valerie Purdie of Yale (on the right) at the SESP Conference. |
|
|---|
San Diego State University and the Psychology Department hosted the annual conference of the Society of Experimental Social Psychology (SESP) this year, October 6-8th. Over 300 social psychologists from the United States , Europe, Asia, and Australia met for two intensive days of symposia and professional interaction at the Hyatt Regency Islandia Hotel in Mission Bay and, at the same time, to enjoy San Diego 's outstanding scenery and climate. As a closing event on Saturday night, the members enjoyed a Mexican Fiesta at the San Diego Aerospace Museum .
The conference was coordinated by Dr. Jeff Bryson of our department, with the assistance of social psychology graduate student Jennifer Filson, who developed the conference website and organized the invaluable activities of the many graduate student volunteers from both SDSU and UCSD. Dr. Radmila Prislin was a member of the Program Committee for this year, and Dr. Jean Twenge co-chaired a symposium on rejection and ostracism, in which she presented some of her recent research.
This year's symposia covered a wide range of areas, including topics such as prejudice and discrimination, interpersonal relationships, persuasion, consciousness, social neuroscience, and increasing the role of social psychology in public policy. Dr. Charles Stangor, Executive Director of the Society, declared “This is the best conference that I can recall. San Diego State has done a great job in hosting this event.” Other attendees echoed his sentiment; Marilynn Brewer, a professor at Ohio State said, “We should have the conference in San Diego every year.”
SESP is the most respected professional organization in the field of social psychology. Membership is by election, based on an individual's contributions to the field, and all nominees must have had at least five years of experience since their doctoral degree.
