The idea for Psi Chi began in the fall of 1927 when two psychology students, Fred Lewis 

and Edwin Newman were having a late night conversation at the University of Kansas. 

They were working on their individual research project in a large basement of the psychology

 department. During their time studying together, they thought about the absence of a student 

organization in Psychology and they took on the challenge to make one, in which came to be 

called Psi Chi.

After this, several meetings, there were people from eleven colleges and univerisities that signed

 to create the new organization, in which was completed on September 4, 1929. The name, Psi

 Chi was made the official name in 1920, after Sigma Pi Sigma was taken by another organization. 

The original officers were Edwin Newman (President), Paul Martin (Secretary), and Frederick Lewis

 (Historian). In 1952, relations between the APA and Psi Chi were made and Psi Chi was to be 

included in the American Psychologist magazine. In 1958, Psi Chi became and official 

organizational affiliate of the APA.

Purpose Statement

Psi Chi is an international honor society whose purpose shall be to encourage, stimulate, and maintain 

excellence in scholarship of the individual members in all fields, particularly in psychology, and to 

advance the science of psychology.

Mission Statement

The mission of Psi Chi is to produce a well-educated, ethical, and socially responsible member committed 

to contributing to the science and profession of psychology and to society in general.

     Subends for accomplishing above mission:

1. Advance science and the profession of psychology

2. Promote an educational experience consistent with the mission

3. Promote ethical and socially responsible members and leaders

4. Define and establish an organizational structure that promotes our mission

5. Recognize and foster the contributions that diversity makes to the science and practice of psychology