The objectives of the Association are to increase and disseminate scientific knowledge in the area of human attention, performance, and information processing, and to foster international communication in this area.

The Regular International Symposium is the Association's principal instrument in the pursuit of these goals. An Executive Committee administers and monitors the Association's activities and an Advisory Council provides the representation and accountability which are so essential to such an enterprise.
 

In order better to suit the symposia to the purposes of the Association, meetings are envisioned that are small in size, have no parallel sessions, allow ample time and opportunity for detailed discussion, have broad international representation, and seek out as contributors and participants young, promising investigators as well as established scientists. Regular symposia will normally be limited to several topics within the area specified in Article 2 so as to insure common as well as diverse interest among the participants and to encourage discussion.
 

In addition, the minimal set of rules that govern the affairs of the Association are conceived in a spirit that attempts to provide continuity without oppression and refreshment without disruption.