Psychologists Confront Impossible Finding, Triggering a Revolution in the Field
Key Event: Daryl Bem's Study
In 2011, psychologist Daryl Bem published a study claiming precognition (the ability to sense the future) is real.
This study was explosive and questioned fundamental beliefs in psychology.
Jeff Galak from Carnegie Mellon University emphasized the radical implications if the study were true, affecting understanding of time, physics, and psychology.
The Replication Crisis
Bem's study was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
Chris Chambers, a cognitive neuroscience professor, criticized the study for its "ridiculous conclusion" using standard methodologies.
Open Science Collaboration
A massive replication study was organized by Open Science Collaboration with 270 scientists across 17 countries.
100 studies from 2008 were chosen to replicate; only 36% were successful.
This raised concerns about the reliability of psychological studies.
Reaction from the Field
Michael Inzlicht (University of Toronto) was shocked by the inability to replicate research in his field.
He questioned the integrity of past scientific methods and called for a reevaluation of research standards.
Building a New Foundation
Since 2011, psychology research standards have evolved significantly.
Introduction of Pre-registration
Researchers now outline hypotheses, methodologies, and data analysis plans prior to conducting experiments.
This prevents data manipulation to achieve desired outcomes.
Registered Reports
Over 200 scientific journals now practice "registered reports" accepting studies based on their methodology rather than results.
Formation of Organizations
New organizations like the Centre for Open Science and the Society for the Improvement of Psychological Science were established.
Emphasis on transparency, verification, and open scrutiny.
Key Figures
Jeff Galak: Professor at Carnegie Mellon University.
Daryl Bem: Professor emeritus, Cornell University.
Chris Chambers: Professor at Cardiff University, author of The Seven Deadly Sins of Psychology.
Michael Inzlicht: Professor at the University of Toronto, leads Toronto Laboratory for Social Neuroscience.
Simine Vazire: Associate professor at U.C. Davis, co-founder of the Society for the Improvement of Psychological Science.
Additional Contributors
Harry Collins: Cardiff University, expert on scientific knowledge.
Alexa Tullet: University of Alabama.
Alison Ledgerwood: U.C. Davis.
Conclusion
The replication crisis in psychology has led to broader changes in research methodology, emphasizing transparency and reliability in scientific findings.