Division 6 Mission
Division 6 members are devoted to studying the biology of behavior. Their
focus is on behavior and its relation to perception, learning, memory,
cognition, motivation, and emotion. Behavioral neuroscientists study the brain
in relation to behavior, its evolution, functions, abnormalities, and repair, as
well as its interactions with the immune system, cardiovascular system, and
energy regulation systems. Comparative psychologists study the behavior of
humans and other animals, with a special eye on similarities and differences
that may shed light on evolutionary and developmental processes.
History
- Established in 1944, when APA initiated its divisional structure, Division 6, using
the name "Physiological Psychology and Comparative Psychology", was among the
original divisions included in APA's reorganization. The first three presidents were
Donald G. Marquis, Donald B. Lindsley, and Clifford T. Morgan. Among the many
distinguished earlier psychologists elected president of Division 6 were Frank Beach,
Brenda Milner, Harry Harlow, James Olds, and Frances Graham. Our participation in the
annual meetings and contributions to journals has been consistently high. Current members
remain dedicated to enhancing knowledge of the nervous system and its mediation of
behavior across species. The forums for achieving this commitment are meetings,
publications, and involvement with APA's Science Directorate and Governing Board.
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- A comprehensive history of Division 6 has been written by
Don Dewsbury.
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- Dewsbury, D.A. (1996). A History of Division 6 (Behavioral Neuroscience and
Comparative Psychology): Now you see it, now you don't, now you see it. In D.A.
Dewsbury (Ed.) Unification through division: Histories of the divisions of the American
Psychological Association. pp. 41-65. Washington, DC: American Psychological
Association.
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Last Updated:
December 01, 2009.
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