International Society for Theoretical Psychology

The International Society for Theoretical Psychology (ISTP) is an international forum for theoretical, meta-theoretical and philosophical discussions in psychology, with a focus on contemporary psychological debates. Founded in the early 1980s, its objective is to stimulate theoretical arguments and innovations, to foster integration across areas and traditions of research, and to promote interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to psychological questions. It aims to serve as the stage for the discussion of new theoretical ideas and conceptual frameworks, for the critical engagement of different theoretical approaches, and for discussions concerning the relation of theoretical psychology to other disciplines, to the history of psychology and to the philosophy of knowledge. 

Recent Conference

For more than 40 years, the biennial conferences are the heart of ISTP. They are not just a forum for individual presentations of current research, but rather an intensive, week-long experience of listening to each other, debating, collaborating, making new friends, and thinking things further together.

Location

Belgrade, Serbia | May 20–24, 2024

Chairs: Tania Zittoun, Biljana Stanković, & Tijana Nikitović

Theme

Theory as Engagement

Theorizing is an essential activity for engaging in and with the world, enabling individuals and communities to navigate complex environments and possible futures.

Keynote Speakers:

– Alex Gillespie, London School of Economics, UK, Pragmatism: Humble Theory for an Uncertain World

– Sanne Akkerman, Utrecht University, The Netherlands, Educational and Learning Sciences: Theory and Research in the Midst of Motion

– Rastko Močnik, University of Ljubljana, Serbia, Theory in Action

– Thomas Teo, York University, Canada, Why EDI matters as a theoretical-psychological topic: Ontic, epistemic, and ethical reflections

Our Journals

The publication and discussion of psychological theory is a central mission of ISTP. The Society is directly involved in two journals. Theory & Psychology, published by SAGE, is one of the leading journals for theory in psychology. More recently, ISTP has launched the International Review of Theoretical Psychologies as an open access platform to help publish the work presented at its conferences.

Recent Topics

Something about recent topics

Future issue

Something about future issues

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“Be part of an intellectual research community that takes the problems of our time seriously.”

Ernst Schraube

Past President, ISTP

Past Conferences

Sacramento, USA | May 2022

Chair: Basia Ellis

Building Community: Theoretical Psychology in the Service of Social Issues


Keynote Speakers:

Regina Langhout, University of California Santa Cruz, USA

Peter Pál Pelbart, Pontifical Catholic University in São Paulo, Brazil

Puleng Segalo, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

Alexander Sidorkin, California State University, Sacramento, USA

Copenhagen, Denmark | August 2019

Chair: Ditte Winther-Lindqvist

Measured Lives: Theoretical Psychology in an Era of Acceleration


Keynote Speakers:

Hartmut Rosa, University of Jena, Germany

Dorte Marie Søndergaard, Aarhus University, Denmark

Uffe Juul Jensen, Aarhus University, Denmark

Pablo Oyarzún Robles, University of Chile, Chile

Anne Phoenix, University College London, UK

Tokyo, Japan | August 2017

Chair: Tetsuya Kono

The Ethos of Theorizing


Keynote Speakers:

Yoko Yamada, Ritsumeikan University, Japan

Peit Hut, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, NJ, USA

Ikuyoshi Mukaiyachi, University of Hokkaido, Japan

– Darren Langdridge, Open University, UK

– Michio Okada, Toyohashi University of Technology, Japan

– Marie-Cécile Bertau, University of West Georgia, USA

– Miki Takasuna,Tokyo International University, Japan 

Statement from the President

Activities

ISTP Seminar Series: Theorizing About Objects in Psychology, September 30, 2024, 4:00-6:00 pm, CST time

The ISTP Virtual Seminar Series Spaces for Theoretical Explorations will start in September 2024 with a focus on theorizing about objects in psychology. The first seminar is organized in collaboration with the Society for Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology (APA Division 24).

Chairs: Floor van Alphen, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain & Marie-Cécile Bertau, University of West Georgia, USA.

Summer School: Reparation, Inclusion, and Emotions, January 3–4, 2024

In collaboration with ISTP, the Doctoral Program in Psychology at the University Alberto Hurtado in Chile, is organizing this Summer School for doctoral students and researchers.

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