One of the challenges we face as psychologists and as an association is changing the public perception of psychology. Despite our efforts to broaden the public’s understanding that psychotherapy is only one facet of the field, it has been difficult to move the dial beyond this stereotype. Psychology deserves credit for many innovations, from the design of jet cockpits to the third brake light on cars to strategies to end smoking.
Some of these misperceptions are thanks to mass media that depict us only as therapists or crime-busters. But some are of our own making. Psychologists and APA must do better at translating psychological science for the public and demonstrating how our work touches every aspect of human behavior, daily living and major societal issues. By connecting these dots, we can help ensure that the public understands the breadth of psychology—from clinical practice to behavioral economics to cognitive science—thus elevating the impact and image of our work.
We must also address misperceptions around the rigor and transparency of our science. To do this, APA has partnered with the Center for Open Science at the University of Virginia to urge researchers to register their studies beforehand and share their data afterward. In 2018, we named our first open science and methodology chair to work with APA authors, reviewers, editors and our publications board to develop best practices for the evolving open science landscape in research. Also last year, we updated and expanded our APA Journal Article Reporting Standards, which are aimed at enhancing the quality of published research by promoting transparency and facilitating the assessment of rigor.
APA is also raising the visibility of the variety and breadth of psychologists’ work through our public communications vehicles, such as our podcast “Speaking of Psychology” and other social media channels; our “Psychology: Science in Action” website; and our ongoing publicizing of interesting and relevant research published in APA’s journals. But there’s always room for more.
In 2019, we plan to up our game, devoting more resources to showcase psychology to the public. Stay tuned to the Monitor, our podcasts, our YouTube channel and our other communications vehicles as we celebrate the diverse, amazing things psychologists do for a living and to benefit society.