About Us

The Society for Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts (Division 10 of the American Psychological Association) is committed to interdisciplinary scholarship, both theoretical and empirical, encompassing the visual, literary, and performing arts. Broadly conceived, we study three interrelated topics: creativity (including developmental, motivational, affective, and cognitive processes), the arts (including aesthetic content, form, and function) and audience response to the arts (including preferences and judgments). To this end, we apply personality, clinical, cognitive, perceptual, physiological, and cultural psychologies to diverse artists, styles, and epochs.

Many members in our Society also have a special interest in creativity in all fields, ranging from art to music to literature to science and even creativity in everyday life. We deal with questions such as how creators form ideas for artistic or musical compositions, how audiences respond to dance or to drama, and how performers express their creativity through instrumental or vocal music.

Our intimate division size creates unique opportunities for members to make meaningful contributions. Members are encouraged to be actively involved through committee participation and/or by presenting at our annual conference and the American Psychological Association’s annual meeting.