About NVP

The Netherlands has a rich history when it comes to the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behavior (psychonomics). At the end of the nineteenth century, the first psychological laboratories were founded by Franciscus Donders in Utrecht and Gerard Heymans in Groningen. In these laboratories, Donders and Heymans conducted groundbreaking studies; many of these are still the basis of research that is done today. In 1968, the Stichting voor Psychonomie (Psychonomic Foundation) was founded. In 1985, this evolved into the Nederlandse Verening voor Psychonomie (Dutch Society for Psychonomics, or: Dutch Society for Brain and Cognition). To its members, the society is best known by its abbreviation: NVP.

NVP aims to promote research on brain and cognition in the Netherlands and (from our perspective) abroad. Anyone with an interest in research on brain and cognition can become a member, but the society mainly focuses on active researchers as well as on students interested in research.

Cognitive psychology. Cognitive neuroscience. Experimental Psychology. Psychonomics. All of these terms refer, perhaps in slightly different ways, to the study of the mind, brain, and behavior. Researchers in these fields investigate topics such as perception, attention, learning & memory, language, emotion, decision-making, and everything else the mind has to offer! 

In this way, our members try to answer a broad range of difficult but important questions, such as: How can we make sense of all the input with which our senses are bombarded? How do we use experiences from the past to behave more adaptively in the future? How do we convey information about the world through symbols and sounds? Why do some experiences trigger such strong emotional responses, and how does this affect our behavior? Why are seemingly rational decisions so often driven by irrational heuristics? 

The most important NVP event is the NVP Winter Conference which takes place once every two years. In addition, NVP organizes specialist courses for researchers. Furthermore, NVP engages with the Dutch government, funding agencies, and like-minded societies from other fields and countries, intending to promote research on the brain and cognition in every possible way.

NVP members are expected to act ethically and with integrity in all their scientific activities.

NVP is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity in our field. We recognize that racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination damage and limit scientific careers. In addition, they restrict scientific progress by reducing the diversity of unique and varied perspectives that can be found within the scientific community. We have compiled a list of internet resources with information on enhancing diversity and mitigating implicit bias in our field and science more generally.