Singapore Psychological Society

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Singapore Psychological Society
AbbreviationSPS
Formation11 January 1979 [1]
TypeSociety
Registration no.S79SS0025E [1] [2]
Location
  • Singapore
Region served
Singapore
Membership1,355 (2025) [3]
President
Adrian Toh [4]
Vice Presidents
Mok Kai Chuen [4] Nicholas Gabriel Lim, [4]
Website singaporepsychologicalsociety.org

The Singapore Psychological Society (SPS) is a professional association representing psychologists in Singapore. Established to advance the discipline and practice of psychology, the society has a membership of over 1,300 individuals, [5] including researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students. SPS oversees the Singapore Register of Psychologists (SRP), a voluntary registry aimed at maintaining professional standards within the field. [6]

Contents

History

Founding

The Singapore Psychological Society (SPS) was established as a registered society on January 11, 1979, and formally inaugurated on January 20, 1979. [7] The society began with 40 founding members, with Fred Long serving as its first president. [8] [9] Since its inception, SPS has grown steadily, expanding its membership to over 1,300 members [5] over four decades, reflecting the increasing recognition of psychology as a professional discipline in Singapore.

Predecessor Organization

Prior to the establishment of the Singapore Psychological Society (SPS), the Singapore Psychological Association was formed on January 12, 1930, with Mr. Stuart serving as President and Dr. Frankel as Vice-President. [8] The association was active until 1939, when it was dissolved following the outbreak of World War II. [7]

Membership

There are different membership types in the SPS. These include Full Membership, Associate Membership, Affiliate Membership, Student Membership and Honorary Fellow. [10]

Singapore Psychologist Magazine

The Singapore Psychologist is the quarterly flagship magazine of the Singapore Psychological Society (SPS), originally launched in the 1980s. It serves as a platform to foster important conversations and discourse on psychological topics relevant to Singapore, aiming to make psychological literature more accessible to the general public. The magazine features original works from both students and professionals, covering a diverse range of themes. Recent issues have explored subjects such as ageing within Singapore's context, neurodiversity in education and the workplace, and the impact of artificial intelligence on mental health practices. Through these publications, Singapore Psychologist contributes to the advancement of psychological research and practice in Singapore.

Singapore Psychological Society Youth Wing [11]

The Singapore Psychological Society (SPS) Youth Wing, established in June 2021 by Vice President (Outreach) Mok Kai Chuen, is a student-led division of SPS dedicated to uniting psychology students across Singapore. Its primary objectives include acting as a consultative body for psychology students, bridging the gap between SPS and the student community, supporting SPS's mission and vision, broadening understanding of local psychology career prospects, and enhancing the application of psychological knowledge in daily life. The Youth Wing is governed by an Executive Committee (EXCO) comprising roles such as President, Vice-President, Honorary Secretary, Events Directors, Publicity Directors, and Community Engagement Directors, with members ideally representing diverse Institutes of Higher Learning to ensure a variety of perspectives. EXCO members may continue their involvement for up to one year post-graduation and are encouraged to engage in various SPS committees thereafter. The Youth Wing actively engages with the community through events and initiatives, aiming to make psychology relevant and accessible to the youth in Singapore.

References

  1. 1 2 "Registry of Societies". Registry of Societies, Government of Singapore. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  2. "Singapore Psychological Society (S79SS0025E)". Companies.sg. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  3. "SPS Membership Directory". Singapore Psychological Society. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 "SPS COUNCIL MEMBERS 2023-2025". Singapore Psychological Society. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Singapore Psychological Society" . Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  6. "Singapore Psychological Society". singaporepsychologicalsociety.org. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  7. 1 2 Tan, Goh (2001). Psychology in Singapore: Issues of an emerging discipline. McGraw-Hill Education (Asia). ISBN   9780071201711.
  8. 1 2 "Overview & History". fass.nus.edu.sg. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  9. Elliott, John Michael (2021). The Strange Start of Psychology at the National University of Singapore. Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore. ISBN   9789811814501.
  10. "Join SPS | Singapore Psychological Society" . Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  11. SPS Youth Wing Official Website. Retrieved from: https://singaporepsychologicalsociety.org/about-us/sps-youth-wing/