Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (U.S.)

The current Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology can trace its roots to the founding of the American Psychological Association (APA) in 1892. For 50 years following the establishment of APA, psychologists with applied interests requested that APA respond to their needs and they attempted on several occasions to organize under the auspices of APA.

Upon request of the National Research Council, AAAP (American Association of Applied Psychology), APA, and SPSSI (Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues) were asked to collaborate for the benefit of national welfare. In 1945, these groups agreed to merge and reorganize as the National Psychological Association in the U.S. The original five AAAP sections continued as sections of the new APA. AAAP Section D, Industrial and Business, became APA Division 14, Industrial and Business Psychology, one of the 19 original divisions of APA.

In 1962, "Business" was dropped from the name and in 1973, "Organizational" was added. Division 14 became the Division of Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP).

From the guide to the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (APA Division 14) archives, 1945-2006, (Center for the History of Psychology)