Concerns About Replicability Across Two Crises in Social Psychology

Abstract

Twice in the history of social psychology has there been a crisis of confidence. The first started in the 1960s and lasted until the end of the 1970s, and the second crisis dominated the 2010s. Drawing on extensive quotes from articles published during both crises, I examine the similarities and differences between these psychological crises. In this first of two articles, I focus on how researchers discussed fundamental concerns about the replicability of findings across the two crises. I reflect on five possible reasons why concerns about failed replications received more attention during the second crisis, the continuing lack of incentives to perform replication studies, and the importance of large-scale research projects to instigate change.