From protoscience to proper science: The path ahead for psychology

Transforming psychology into a mature science will require an uncompromising commitment to robustness and transparency. No exceptions, no special pleading, and no excuses

I have two confessions to make. The first is that there are times when I regret pursuing psychology. When I started out, nearly 20 years ago, it was because I found the idea of science intriguing. Here was a profession that stood apart from all others. The aim wasn't to make a profit, or sell people things, or win arguments in a courtroom, but to add to the sum of human knowledge and help solve problems along the way. I was drawn to a number of sciences - immunology, biology, astronomy - but psychology was the most fascinating. What could be more profound than understanding the inner workings of our own minds?

As an undergraduate I would spend entire afternoons flicking through early 20^th-century volumes of the Journal of Experimental Psychology in the basement of the university library. The authors of these dusty articles seemed intent on discovering new truths but they were careful and cautious in their writing. They rarely strayed beyond the data and signposted it when they did. They always highlighted limitations and made sensible suggestions for future research. They were honest brokers who embraced the Mertonian virtues of science.