Psi Chi serves two major goals -- one immediate and visibly rewarding to the individual member, the other slower and more difficult to accomplish, but offering greater rewards in the long run.

The first of these is the Society's obligation to provide academic recognition to its inductees by the mere fact of membership. The second goal is the obligation of each of the Society's local chapters to nurture the spark of that accomplishment by offering a climate congenial to its creative development.

For example, the chapters make active attempts to nourish professional growth through programs designed to enhance the regular curriculum and to provide practical experience and fellowship through the affiliation with the chapter. In addition, the national organization provides programs to help achieve these goals, including national and regional conventions held annually in conjunction with the psychological associations, research award competitions, and certificate recognition programs. Also the Society publishes a quarterly Eye on Psi Chi Newsletter which helps unite the members as well as to inform and recognize their contributions.