Psychological research as we know it is being dismantled. Researchers are being censored or fired. Many projects focusing on topics of diversity or discrimination are being defunded and removed from public view. Even studies that use words like “race”, “gender”, or “sexuality” to define factors are being targeted.

As those who have been on my blog before will know, I pride myself on my ability to research and provide reliable sources in all of my posts. While I have enjoyed this process in the past, it has become increasingly frustrating. There is a concern that some of the resources I have used – especially those from the National Institute of Health (NIH) – will become unavailable. It also has become difficult to find actual research articles and verified studies on some topics.

I strive to make this a place where anyone can learn and find the resources they need. The reality is, in order to do that, we need to be able to have honest discussions about difficult topics. Racism, sexism, and homophobia play a large role in the history of psychology. It is important to understand this history. Discussing the past allows us to examine today’s mental health systems with a critical eye and identify ways these problems still persist today. 

Diversity is important in research as it allows us to get a truly representative population, address community specific concerns, and look at the various factors that make us who we are. Although some will deny it, bigotry still exists and negatively impacts those trying to seek help for mental health concerns. There are barriers to care faced by minority communities. Some issues – both genetic and social – impact certain groups more than others. Things like gender or race can be extraneous factors in certain studies. These are just a few reasons cultural characteristics are looked at in psychological research.

Censorship of research also harms overall progress in the field. Studies are replicated not only to add validity to the findings but to see how culture and health trends change over time. If we begin to remove research because the topic is perceived to be “irrelevant nowadays”, we lose a big part of the picture. 

Even the studies that have been found to be scientifically erroneous are important. By learning what went wrong with these studies, we are able to improve research and expand on current knowledge. Much like in other aspects of history, if mistakes are ignored or erased, they will be repeated.

Going forward I want to make my stance very clear: I not only support diversity, I believe we should demand it. The field of psychology cannot progress without minority representation. I also stand firmly against censorship – especially when it comes to research. So much of the great research that is conducted is already gatekept behind paywalls, exclusive publications available only to members of certain organizations, or a need for a high level of informational and statistical literacy. It is unacceptable to remove what access the general public does have to information that impacts their health and wellbeing.

I will continue to provide reliable sources and studies where possible. More of these resources may come from independent organizations or nonprofits. Some of the links in older posts may become broken due to removal, but I will do my best to keep these up to date and provide other resources as needed. 

One of my first articles was over one of the most influential minority couples in psychology, the Clarks. More recently, I covered the history and return of eugenics. In the near future I hope to explore intersectionality in psychology and dive more into issues impacting certain groups like conversion therapy. These are all topics labeled as DEI and are impacted by recent censorship. That will not stop me from talking about them here. I would also like to note that I am working on some tips for research literacy so that you can better understand the studies you are reading.

Thank you all for reading and taking the time to learn about this important topic. If you have suggestions on future topics, please let me know by commenting below. So until the next one, be safe and look out for each other.