Person Memory Interest Group

The Person Memory Interest Group (PMIG) is an informal organization whose sole purpose is to hold a 2-day scientific conference before the annual Society of Experimental Social Psychology (SESP) meeting every October. Its focus is on research in the area of social cognition (broadly defined) within social psychology. In recent years, 40-65 people have attended the meetings, and 11 or 12 have presented papers. The meeting attracts a diverse mixture of senior and junior researchers from North America, Europe, and Asia. The co-organizers are David L. Hamilton (hamilton@psych.ucsb.edu) and Eliot R. Smith (esmith4@indiana.edu).

History

PMIG was founded by Thomas M. Ostrom, and was organized by him for many years until his untimely death in 1994. Its history began with a meeting of five researchers in Columbus, Ohio in February 1977, to discuss then-new developments in the study of person perception, in the context of related theories in cognitive psychology. Beginning in October of that same year, the group met before SESP, a schedule which has continued to the present. It is believed that PMIG was the first group to adopt this "pre-SESP" meeting schedule, which is now increasingly popular. Over the years, the group has expanded in size and in the topic areas of interest. Currently, the term "person memory" in the group's name is a historical relic rather than a reflection of a narrow topical interest.

Meeting Format

The SESP program typically begins on a Friday, and PMIG holds its formal program the previous Wednesday (all day) and Thursday morning. Those who are able are invited to arrive at the conference site on Monday, so that they can spend Tuesday in locally available outdoor activities (hiking, canoeing, and horseback riding have been features of past meetings) and informal professional discussions. PMIG typically meets at a location outside the city where SESP meets, reflecting the organizers' bias toward low costs and pleasantly rustic surroundings rather than glossy convention hotels. We strive to keep costs near or below $100 per day for lodging and meals (assuming double occupancy), and there is a nominal registration fee for the conference (around $50).

If you are an active researcher in social psychology who is interested in attending a future PMIG meeting, contact either of the co-organizers (e-mail addresses above) giving your email address. You will be added to the mailing list, and full information concerning the next fall's meeting will be sent to you in early summer.

2010 Meeting Information

The 2010 meeting will be held October 5-7, at a location near the Minneapolis site of the 2010 SESP meeting. The invitation will be sent out sometime in May-June, 2010.

Announcement of Thomas M. Ostrom Awards

Here is the lineup of talks presented at the 2009 meeting at the Spruce Point Inn, Boothbay Harbor, ME.

Here is the lineup of talks presented at the 2008 meeting at the Institute for Noetic Sciences in Petaluma, CA.
Photos: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Here is the lineup of talks presented at the 2007 meeting at Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center, Zion, Illinois.

Here is the lineup of talks presented at the 2006 meeting at Tockwogh YMCA Camp, Worton, Maryland.
Photo Gallery.

Here is the lineup of talks presented at the 2005 meeting at Angels Landing Inn, Julian, California.

Here is the lineup of talks presented at the 2004 meeting at Stagecoach Inn, Salado, Texas.

Here is the lineup of talks presented at the 2002 meeting at Salt Fork State Park, Ohio.

Here is the lineup of talks presented at the 2001 meeting at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Here is the lineup of talks presented at the 2000 meeting at Unicoi State Park, Georgia.

Here is the lineup of talks presented at the 1999 meeting at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri.

Here is the lineup of talks presented at the 1998 meeting in Carrollton, Kentucky.