[1] SMEP was founded in 1960 by Raymond Cattell[2] and others as an organization of scientific researchers interested in applying complex multivariate quantitative methods to substantive problems in psychology.
The two main functions of the society are to hold an annual meeting of scientific or quantitative psychology specialists and to publish a journal, Multivariate Behavioral Research.
[4] The annual meeting spans two and one half days and consists exclusively of presentations by members in a single session.
PhD students sponsored by SMEP members present their research to those attending the annual meeting.
SMEP and Taylor & Francis also cooperate in the publication of a series of books on applications of multivariate quantitative methods to important substantive research issues.