Ideological and Political Bias in Psychology: An Introduction.

Abstract

The editors introduce the problem of ideological and political bias in psychology as it influences the socialization and teaching of undergraduate and graduate students, and its application to research and clinical work. Bias also shapes how scientific hypotheses are tested; public policy initiatives promoted by professional practice guilds; the hiring of faculty in higher education; the political affiliations of students and faculty; and which research conclusions are considered seminal in broader psychology. This introductory chapter provides a broad overview of the remaining 32 chapters in the text, as subdivided into five parts: (1) Bias and the Politics of Psychology, (2) Specific Applications of Bias in Psychology, (3) Biased Processes in Professional Psychology, Education, and Publishing, (4) The Scope of Bias, and (5) Solutions to the Problem of Bias.

Keywords: Ideological Bias, Political Bias, Psychology, Research, Teaching, Clinical Practice