Division 6 has a long and distinguished history and continues serving as a scientific benchmark to an evolving APA. To better understand its history as well as its trajectory, I followed the approach of Don Dewsbury, one of our division's distinguished historians and president as well as my undergraduate mentor, in dissecting history. Specifically, I reviewed all the 47 electronically archived newsletters, which go back to 1998.
Though the following is not an empirical analysis by any stretch of the imagination and probably biased by own interpretation, there are some patterns that appear evident. Here are some observations for your consideration:
History
Probably one of the most interesting aspects of who we are is our history. Fascinating behind the scenes articles were plentiful (e.g., Harlow's work) reflecting a rich and varied past. From a personal perspective, the beginning of neuropsychology and clinical neuropsychology clearly begins in our division and for that matter, where my entry to APA began in 1978.
Future
The division has spent a significant portion of time nurturing our students and early career colleagues. There is a long-standing attention to the concept that we are only as good as those that come after us.
Science
Whether it is comparative or behavioral neuroscience, there is a legacy of fascinating research that crosses species, physiological domains, and cognitive and behavioral constructs. Focusing on what Timberlake outlined in one of his presidential columns was (1) evolution, (2) nature vs. (or/and? )nature, and (3) adaptive and maladaptive expressions.
Awards
Our society has many awards, from best paper to significant scientific contributions, we cover widely the acknowledgment people and ideas that have brought our science to the forefront of psychology, neuroscience, and animal behavior.
Representation
Though we have a long history of cycling contributors, some have done more than their fair share over many decades of service. Whereas we have representation largely from large R1 public institutions, smaller teaching colleges, research and medical centers are also represented. Women have become increasingly present in our membership and leadership, though we still have a long way to reflect an increasingly diverse and international world.
Advocacy and engagement
In just about every issue a focus on advocating for psychological science was present along with great interest in collaborating with other associations, divisions and, most of all, with APA. However, there is strong current and incorrect belief that science does not matter to APA and our division stands for bygone values. Neither is further from the truth, especially today. If there ever was a need for what the SBNCP stands for, it is now.
To those that have served the division, including our founders, Donald G. Marquis, Donald B. Lindsey and Clifford T. Morgan, and the many individuals that currently serve the division, including our most recent past presidents, Mark Krause and Jonathon Crystal, we are deeply indebted. To those that will serve our division in the future, you have a history of significant accomplishment, long held values tied to both our legacy and to expanding horizons and an important mandate to make sure that who we have been, who we presently are, and who we will become remain foundational both to psychology and to APA.