British Psychological Society

The British Psychological Society (BPS) is the representative body for psychologists and psychology in the United Kingdom. The BPS is a charity, and along with advantages, this imposes certain constraints on what the society can and cannot do - it cannot campaign on issues which are seen as political, for example the age of consent of homosexuality.

Founded on October 24 1901 at University College London as The Psychological Society, the organisation initially admitted only recogonised teachers in the field of psychology. Its current name of The British Psychological Society was taken in 1906 to avoid confusion with another group named The Psychological Society.

Under the guidance of Charles Myers, membership was opened up to members of the medical profession in 1919.

In 1941 the society was incorporated.

Following the receipt of a royal charter in 1965, the society became the keeper of the Register of Chartered Psychologists.

Today, the BPS has over 36,000 members in all fields of psychology.

They publish a number of journals including the British Journal of Psychology, British Journal of Clinical Psychology and the British Journal of Social Psychology.