Division Focus: Division 21
Ben B. Morgan, Jr., PhD, Department of Psychology,
University of
Central Florida, President of Division 21
How does one optimize the performance of humans in advanced
technology systems? What problems are encountered as humans adjust
to the use of new technologies? What behavioral issues are
produced by interfaces with advanced technologies? What are the
psychological and behavioral impacts of living and working in
high-technology environments? These questions are as old as
psychology; yet, they are as new as the most modern technologies.
They are also at the very core of today's application of applied
and experimental and engineering psychology. The overall objective
of Division 21 is to focus the methods and content of psychology on
the interface 'where psychology meets technology.' In today's
world of rapidly changing technologies, this is an exciting,
demanding, and critical endeavor. Division 21 is committed to the
development of safer, more effective, and more reliable systems,
work settings, and living environments.
Purposes
Division 21 has three primary purposes: (a) to promote research,
development, application, and the evaluation of psychological
principles relating human behavior to the characteristics, design,
and use of environments and systems within which human beings work
and live; (b) to stimulate the exchange of information among its
members; and (c) to develop close relations and facilitate the
interchange of information with other societies, associations, and
technical groups that have similar concerns.
Membership
Division 21 has experienced rapid growth recently, gaining about
100 new members last year. Total membership in the Division is now
nearly 600 individuals. Membership may be in one of five
categories: Fellows, Members, Associates, Affiliates, and Student
Affiliates. Fellows are chosen for unusual and outstanding
contributions to the field of applied experimental and engineering
psychology. Members and Associates must hold the corresponding
membership in APA and be involved in study, research, or work
within the area of applied experimental or engineering psychology.
Affiliate membership is open to nonmembers of APA, and Student
Affiliate membership is open to students in psychology.
Publications
Members of the Division receive issues of PsycSCAN: Applied
Experimental and Engineering Psychology, and an informative
newsletter is issued several times each year. The Division also
published a directory of members and, during 1994, it published a
monograph that includes biographies of the major pioneers of
applied experimental and engineering psychology.
Awards
The Division selects recipients of the Franklin W. Taylor Award for
outstanding contributions to the field, the George E. Briggs
Dissertation Award, the Earl A. Alluisi Award for Early Career
Achievement, and the Psi Chi/APA Division 21 Undergraduate Student
Award.
Special Events
Technical paper presentations, workshops, symposia, invited
presentations, and a new-member's poster session are part of the
Division's activities during the Annual APA Convention. In
addition, the Division conducts a 1-day technical session in
association with its midyear meeting.
For More Information
Division 21 welcomes inquiries from all interested persons.
Individuals with a creative, exploring mind and an inclination
toward science and quantitative techniques, who work well in team
settings and have an abiding interest in psychology will find the
Division attractive. For more information on joining Division 21,
please contact: Phillip L. Ackerman, PhD, Chair, Membership
Committee, Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, 75
East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55455; (612) 625-9812; E-mail:
eqz6511@umnacvx.bitnet