Psychology clubs

Many schools establish psychology clubs to provide students with a more comprehensive understanding of the field of psychology. Although most of the time in psychology classes is spent reviewing theories and ideas in psychology, psychology clubs tend to focus on the practical applications of these theories and ideas. Psychology clubs can be incredibly flexible in their form and function. Some clubs meet weekly, whereas others meet only when a special occasion requires a meeting.

Teachers often intend for students to learn more about the many subdisciplines of psychology through participation in a club. For example, did you know that APA has 54 divisions representing different aspects of psychology? As a field that studies behavior and mental processes, psychology touches on all facets of activities involving humans and nonhuman animals. A career panel can be held so that students can learn about various careers in psychology. The panel can include members from the community who are involved in psychology, including faculty members, clinical psychologists, school psychologists, organizational psychologists, and forensic psychologists, to name a few examples. A panel can also include individuals who use psychological principles in their work, such as human resource managers or social workers. A panel discussion of this sort can demonstrate to students that psychology is not only about the treatment of mental disorders. The APA Engaging Psychology’s Future website provides a playbook, resources, and recommendations for holding career events at high schools.

Psychology clubs can engage in many activities. Students can become involved with community service projects, such as volunteering at a mental health care facility or fundraising for a mental health organization. Students also enjoy guest speakers who can address psychological issues. The Society for Neuroscienceopens in new window has put together a list of neuroscientists in all states who have volunteered to come and speak to schools about their involvement in the sciences. This is also a nice connection to Brain Awareness Week, during which students in psychology classes can disseminate information about the brain by setting up a table at lunch with information regarding the brain, making advertisements for the school announcements, or making posters and other materials about the brain that can be distributed throughout the school. Students can also visit middle and grade schools to speak to younger students about how the brain functions. This newsletter article shares how students can bring a “Psychology Roadshow” to local elementary schools.

Students also enjoy films about psychology that encourage interesting discussions about psychological concepts. Clubs can visit local sleep labs or university laboratories in which psychological research is being conducted. Other possible events clubs might hold throughout the year include visiting local nursing homes, hosting psychology-themed Halloween parties, practicing yoga or meditation, participating in a psychology quiz bowl or local Brain Bee competitionopens in new window, and/or hosting a psychology fair.

Much of the work that psychology clubs do is student-initiated. Students can also serve as conduits for connections to the community. The rewards of participating in a psychology club may be the impetus for many students to pursue a career in the field.

Psychology clubs are relatively easy to create. Basically, a committed sponsor and a number of interested students are all that is necessary. Although the bureaucracies of schools may differ, most will be excited at the opportunity for students to become involved in an academic discipline outside of the classroom.