In this engaging discussion, Adam Mastroianni, a social psychologist critiquing his field, and Dan Engber, a journalist at The Atlantic, delve into the troubling replication crisis in psychology. They explore how numerous landmark studies have been debunked, questioning the scientific rigor of the discipline. Mastroianni reflects on whether psychology truly teaches us anything, while Engber uncovers a scandal involving academic fraud that has rocked business school psychology. Their insights illuminate the urgent need for reform in psychological research.
The podcast reveals the replication crisis in social psychology, highlighting that many prominent findings have proven unreliable and unreplicable.
A troubling trend in business schools has emerged, where fraudulent research practices among respected academics have instigated self-auditing efforts within the field.
The discussion emphasizes cognitive bias and folk psychology, illustrating their impact on decision-making and the necessity for rigorous scientific validation.
Situational context significantly influences human behavior, as demonstrated by studies like the Milgram experiment, challenging conventional notions of personal agency and morality.
Deep dives
The Frequency of Deception
Scientific studies indicate that most individuals lie approximately every ten minutes, highlighting a pervasive nature of dishonesty in human interactions. The podcast features discussions around various forms of deceit, ranging from exaggerating about health issues during stressful situations to fabricating stories on national television. Such lies often manifest in high-pressure environments, suggesting that the pressure to conform or succeed can drive individuals to deceptive behaviors. This phenomenon emphasizes the complexity of human psychology and the motivations behind dishonest behavior.
Replication Crisis in Psychology
The podcast addresses a significant issue in social psychology known as the replication crisis, where findings from many studies fail to replicate in subsequent experiments. Notable examples include the power poses concept and ego depletion theory, both of which have been unable to produce consistent results across repetitions. This crisis raises questions about the validity and reliability of psychological research, suggesting that important concepts may be based on flawed or non-reproducible data. The discussion reflects a growing skepticism within the academic community regarding established psychological theories.
Issues in Academic Integrity
The podcast reveals a troubling trend in prestigious business schools, where fraudulent research practices have come to light, involving some well-known academics. This scrutiny has sparked a movement among researchers to audit their own work and verify the integrity of published studies. The act of self-auditing in response to potential misconduct serves as an important step towards restoring trust in the academic process. Such grassroots initiatives demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing integrity issues within the field of psychology.
Cognitive Bias and Folk Psychology
The podcast delves into the concepts of cognitive bias and folk psychology, discussing how these foundational ideas shape our understanding of human behavior. Cognitive biases influence decision-making, often leading individuals to rely on flawed heuristics. Folk psychology encompasses the intuitive theories people develop about themselves and others, which may lack empirical support. This exploration highlights the importance of rigorous scientific inquiry in challenging and refining our understanding of these psychological concepts.
The Effect of Situational Context
The podcast emphasizes the significance of situational context in determining human behavior, a core finding in psychology over the last half-century. Classic studies, like the Milgram experiment, illustrate how ordinary people can perform extreme actions under specific pressures, challenging the belief that only certain individuals commit unethical acts. This understanding of situational influence fosters a more nuanced perspective on morality and behavior, suggesting that context plays a critical role in shaping human actions. It also raises questions about personal agency in ethical decision-making.
Nudges and Behavioral Economics
The podcast discusses the concept of nudges in behavioral economics, which are small changes in the environment designed to influence people's decisions in predictable ways. However, recent studies reveal that many nudges fail to produce the desired outcomes or are difficult to effectively implement across different contexts. The challenges of applying nudges effectively highlight the complexities of influencing human behavior and making lasting changes. This underscores the need for a deeper understanding of the factors that drive decision-making in real-world scenarios.
The Role of Empathy in Research
The podcast highlights the necessity for empathy within the scientific community when addressing issues of misconduct and integrity. It discusses the inherent pressures faced by researchers, particularly those early in their careers, who might feel compelled to inflate results or engage in questionable practices due to competitive environments. A culture of understanding and support can foster a more ethical research landscape, encouraging researchers to admit faults without fearing extreme repercussions. This shift in attitude could facilitate an environment where honesty is prioritized over reputation.
In the last decade, several major findings in social psychology have turned out to be hogwash—or, worse, even fraud. This has become widely known as psychology's "replication crisis." Perhaps you have heard of power poses—based on a study finding that subjects reported stronger “feelings of power” after they posed, say, with their hands on their hips for several minutes. But that finding did not replicate. Or perhaps you have heard of ego depletion—the more famous assertion that, when people make a bunch of decisions, it exhausts their ability to make future decisions. Again: did not replicate.
“There’s a thought that’s haunted me for years,” social psychologist Adam Mastroianni has written. “We’re doing all this research in psychology, but are we learning anything? We run these studies and publish these papers, and then what? The stack of papers just gets taller? I’ve never come up with satisfying answers. But now I finally understand why.”
Today’s episode features two interviews. First, I talk to Adam about his big-picture critique of his own field: how psychology too often fails as a science, and what it can do better. Second, we speak with journalist Dan Engber from The Atlantic, who has been reporting on a billowing scandal in psychology that has enveloped several business school stars—and raised important questions about the field. What is psychology for? What would progress in psychology mean? And how can this field—which might be the discipline I follow than any other in academia—become more of a science?
If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com.
Host: Derek Thompson
Guests: Adam Mastroianni and Daniel Engber
Producer: Devon Baroldi
Links:
“Is psychology going to Cincinnati?” by Adam Mastroianni
