APS in Beijing

Beijing, China

Since its 1899 closing ceremony was held in the newly constructed Eiffel Tower, the International Congress of Psychology has gathered psychologists from around the world for a free exchange of ideas against an exotic backdrop. APS sponsored four symposia at the 2004 ICP, held August 8-13 in Beijing, China. The meeting is organized under the auspices of the International Union of Psychological Science.

"The International Congress is a meeting of people sharing information about psychology with an international, mostly scientific focus," said APS Executive Director Alan G. Kraut, who represented APS at the 2004 Congress. "ICP presentations give you a feel of what is going on in the entire field, and they remind you that great psychology is done not just in the United States."

APS-sponsored presenters included Past President Kay Deaux, Fellow and Charter Member Sam Glucksberg, International Fellows Committee Member Rochel Gelman, and International Fellow Giyoo Hatano. Deaux pointed to participation in international conferences, as well as the increased frequency of international authors in the flagship journal Psychological Science, as evidence of increased APS influence outside the United States.

"Psychological Science is getting increasing international contributions, which is good for the advancement of science," said Deaux, The Graduate Center-The City University of New York. Deaux is a member of the US National Committee of Psychology, a group designed to think about psychological issues involving the United States and other countries. "The presence of APS continues to be visible at these types of forums," Deaux said. "They can be a starting point of collaborations, particularly in social psychology, where it's extremely important to study across cultures, international forum wonderful to make those connections."

Presenter Hsuan-Chih Chen, professor of psychology and director of the Centre for Cognition and Brain Studies at Chinese University of Hong Kong, mentioned many aspects of APS that attract international members: news about research findings; theoretical and methodological breakthroughs; dissemination of trends and new developments; and various professional activities within the field in the United States.

The ICP is held every four years, but 2004 was the first time it convened in an Asian developing nation. Chen was excited about the possibilities of being first Asian nation to host the Congress. "An ICP being held in China allows psychologists around the world to identify possibilities and challenges to construct universal theories, to explore directions and opportunities for future research and collaboration, as well as to think the ways in which psychology can contribute to a globalized world," he said.