Defining our Focus - SPA Name Feedback

The SPA Board of Directors is engaging in an important conversation about the scope and identity of the field SPA represents. We started this conversation at the 2026 SPA Annual Conference Town Hall, and please access the video of the conversation at this link: 2026 SPA Town Hall Discussion

This conversation directly ties into the important work that the Board did last year, which was defining what SPA means when we say "Personality Assessment." Please see the definition below

Personality Assessment is the ethical, empirical approach to understanding an individual's characteristic ways of thinking, feeling, behaving, and relating.

1. Personality Assessment is scientifically grounded. 
2. Personality Assessment uses methods that show sound psychometrics in the contexts within which assessment is occurring.
3. Personality Assessment is sensitive to the contextual factors of people’s lives.
4. Personality Assessment practice involves the integration of data across multiple methods and sources.
5. Personality Assessment has important implications for people’s lives and ultimately aims to benefit individuals, society, and scientific knowledge.