Existential Psychology SPSP Preconference

February 7, 2024

The science of existential psychology focuses on core issues of “being” and “becoming” in human nature and social life. These issues include such key existential concerns as: freedom, authenticity, and moral responsibility; awareness of mortality; culture, self, and identity; isolation, uncertainty, and shared reality; and the quest for meaning and purpose in life.

 “Existential ecology: Culture, self, and identity” will be the theme of our 6th consecutive Existential Psychology Preconference. Lewis Gordon (U.Conn.) expert on Black Existentialism, will deliver the Special Philosophical Address. Steven Heine (UBC), expert on cross-cultural psychology, will deliver the Research Keynote Address on existential cultural psychology research. The event will also feature five Invited Research Talks: Daphna Oyserman (USC) will discuss identity-based motivation and cultural interpretations of difficulty and possibility; Katherine Du (U.Wisconsin) will discuss variations in the benefits and costs of authentic self-expressions across cultural contexts; Kate McLean (Western Washington U.) will discuss narrative identity development, overarching cultural narratives, and their dynamic interaction over time; Toni Schmader (UBC) will present research on state authenticity as fit to the environment (SAFE); and Shigehiro Oishi (U.Chicago) will discuss the cultural dynamics of meaning. Additionally, the event will feature an awards ceremony as well as a data blitz and poster session, which will cover a broad range of existential psychology topics.

The event is organized by the International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology (ISSEP) and hosted by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP).

Join ISSEP.org to become eligible for grants and awards, explore the available resources for research and teaching, and learn more!

Below, you will find information about our programming schedule, submission instructions, available awards, and registration. Please note that the 2024 Existential Psychology Preconference will be virtual.

We welcome you to join us!

Event Schedule, Presenters, & Topics

We invite anyone to submit abstracts for posters and data blitz presentations. Abstracts can be submitted through the online submission portal (below) between September 1 through October 18. Initial selection notifications will be distributed between Nov 1 to Dec 1; further selections may be announced later.

• Data Blitz session: A Data Blitz session will feature a series of at least five brief (5 minutes max) research talks. Come share a snapshot of your fascinating findings!

• Poster presentations: A poster session will showcase the science of existential psychology’s wide range of research topics, methods, and applications. Come show your latest work!

We invite submissions from undergraduates, graduate students, and seasoned researchers alike. Submissions may deal with any existential psychological topics; priority will be given to those submissions that touch on this year’s preconference theme of “Existential ecology: Culture, self, and identity.”

Submissions will be collected September 1st through October 18th.

We are excited to offer a slate of sponsored conference awards to recognize innovative new research and support the attendance and inclusion of diverse students and professional researchers interested in the science of existential psychology.

HOW TO APPLY: To apply, submit your abstract(s) for a poster and/or data blitz and indicate your eligibility for one or more of the following awards on the submission form.

1. ISSEP Innovation in Existential Psychology Research Award

• Award amount: $250.00

• Number of awards: Up to 1 (one) award available.

• Sponsor: International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology

• Eligibility: (1) Must be an active ISSEP member at time of submission/review of abstracts; (2) must be an author on submitted abstract for poster, data blitz, or other presentation.

• Criteria: Innovation in XP research involves applying an existential lens to research a topic that has thus far received minimal attention in XP; developing a compelling new theoretical perspective in XP; and/or developing research methods that offer fresh insights into existential psychological processes.

2. ISSEP Graduate Student Diversity Conference Award

• Award amount: $75.00

• Number of awards: Up to 1 (one) award available.

• Sponsor: International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology

• Eligibility: (1) Must be a graduate student; (2) must be an active ISSEP member at time of submission/review of abstracts; (3) must be an author on submitted abstract for poster, data blitz, or other presentation.

• Criteria: Preference will be given to members of under-represented groups, to promote inclusion and cultivate contributions from individuals across a broad range of ages, developmental and acquired disabilities, religious perspectives, races and ethnicities, socioeconomic status, sexual orientations, indigenous heritages, national origins, and sex/genders.

3. ISSEP Undergraduate Student Diversity Conference Award

• Award amount: $75.00

• Number of awards: Up to 1 (one) award available.

• Sponsor: International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology

• Eligibility: (1) Must be an undergraduate student; (2) must be an active ISSEP member at time of submission/review of abstracts; (3) must be an author on submitted abstract for poster, data blitz, or other presentation.

• Criteria: Preference will be given to members of under-represented groups, to promote inclusion and cultivate contributions from individuals across a broad range of ages, developmental and acquired disabilities, religious perspectives, races and ethnicities, socioeconomic status, sexual orientations, indigenous heritages, national origins, and sex/genders.

4. ISSEP Graduate Student Conference Award

• Award amount: $75.00

• Number of awards: Up to 1 (one) award available.

• Sponsor: International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology

• Eligibility: (1) Must be a graduate student; (2) must be an active ISSEP member at time of submission/review of abstracts; (3) must be an author on submitted abstract for poster, data blitz, or other presentation.

5. ISSEP Undergraduate Student Conference Award

• Award amount: $75.00

• Number of awards: Up to 1 (one) award available.

• Sponsor: International Society for the Science of Existential Psychology

• Eligibility: (1) Must be an undergraduate student; (2) must be an active ISSEP member at time of submission/review of abstracts; (3) must be an author on submitted abstract for poster, data blitz, or other presentation.

6. Cleveland State University Diversity in Existential Psychology Conference Awards

• Award amount: $75.00

• Number of awards: Up to 2 (two) awards available.

• Sponsor: Cleveland State University

• Eligibility: Preference will be given to members of under-represented groups, to promote inclusion and cultivate contributions from individuals across a broad range of age, developmental and acquired disabilities, minority religious perspectives, races and ethnicities, socioeconomic status, sexual orientations, indigenous heritages, national origins, and sex/genders.

7. Worth Publishers – Macmillan Learning Student Conference Awards

• Award amount: $75.00

• Number of awards: Up to 4 (four) awards available.

• Sponsor: Worth Publishers/Macmillan Learning

• Eligibility: Must be either an undergraduate or graduate student; preference given to graduate students who submit a presentation.

We are proud to announce the sponsors of this year’s Existential Psychology SPSP Preconference:

Conference Programs & Flyers