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More About the Society

What do we do?

Broadly, the Society aims to raise standards of training and practice in psychology, raise public awareness of psychology, and increase the influence of psychology practice in society. Specifically it has a number of key roles.

Setting standards for the training of psychologists

The Society begins its direct involvement at undergraduate degree level and continues into postgraduate education by accrediting courses at universities and other educational institutions in the UK that typically cover all the main areas of psychological knowledge necessary to develop a career in psychology.

Providing the public with information on psychology

The Society is creating an ever-expanding resource for the public on its website, including specific Information and Advice for the Public. There are a number of public engagement events held throughout the year and the Society’s messages are also promoted to the public via the work of the media centre.

Providing support to its members

There are many membership benefits that accompany being part of the Society including support from the Society's professional member networks that allow psychologists to pool and exchange information and ideas.

Hosting conferences and events

The Society also hosts around 100 conferences and events each year. They are targeted predominantly at psychologists but many are suitable for those studying or working in related fields.

Preparing policy statements and responses

The Society’s Professional Practice Board issues statements (position papers and working party reports) on a range of topics that affect psychologists and those they work with. The Society also regularly responds to consultation papers from Government and non-Government organisations, as well as publishing guidelines developed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Publishing

The Society publishes a range of journals, other periodicals, books and a monthly magazine called The Psychologist.

Setting standards in psychological testing

The role of the Society’s Psychological Testing Centre is to set and maintain standards in testing and meet the needs of test takers, test users, test developers, members of the public and anyone who has an interest in testing.

Maintaining the History of Psychology Centre

The History of Psychology Centre is the main repository for the British Psychological Society’s archive collections. Work is ongoing to create a major history of psychology research resource on the website.

How are we run?

The British Psychological Society is a democratic body run by its members, using a tiered board system for organisation and governance. The Society has a head office in Leicester and regional offices in Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow and London.

The British Psychological Society is a registered charity in the United Kingdom (Charity Registration Number: 229642) and is regulated by the Charity Commission.