Political Diversity in Social and Personality Psychology

Perspectives on Psychological Science, 7, 496-503.

29 Pages Posted: 10 Feb 2012 Last revised: 25 Oct 2012

See all articles by Yoel Inbar

Yoel Inbar

University of Toronto

Joris Lammers

Tilburg University

Date Written: February 10, 2012

Abstract

A lack of political diversity in psychology is said to lead to a number of pernicious outcomes, including biased research and active discrimination against conservatives. The authors surveyed a large number (combined N = 800) of social and personality psychologists and discovered several interesting facts. First, although only 6% described themselves as conservative "overall," there was more diversity of political opinion on economic issues and foreign policy. Second, respondents significantly underestimated the proportion of conservatives among their colleagues. Third, conservatives fear negative consequences of revealing their political beliefs to their colleagues. Finally, conservatives are right to do so: In decisions ranging from paper reviews to hiring, many social and personality psychologists said that they would discriminate against openly conservative colleagues. The more liberal respondents were, the more they said they would discriminate.

Suggested Citation

Inbar, Yoel and Lammers, Joris, Political Diversity in Social and Personality Psychology (February 10, 2012). Perspectives on Psychological Science, 7, 496-503., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2002636 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2002636

Yoel Inbar (Contact Author)

University of Toronto ( email )

105 St George Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8
Canada

Joris Lammers

Tilburg University ( email )

P.O. Box 90153
Tilburg, DC Noord-Brabant 5000 LE
Netherlands

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