Psychology is overwhelmingly focused on Western, particularly American, concerns, making it a science of First World problems. Its research relies disproportionately on samples from so-called WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, and Democratic) populations, who represent a small, affluent fraction of humanity. This bias is not merely geographic but deeply political and historical, reflecting the economic dominance of Euro-American academia. The field prioritises topics such as social media anxiety over global crises such as contaminated water, which kills millions annually. Ultimately, this WEIRD skew conceals a more profound racial bias: psychology functions primarily as a science by and for White people, marginalizing the realities and needs of the global majority.

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Weird Science

  • Brian M. Hughes

摘要

Psychology is overwhelmingly focused on Western, particularly American, concerns, making it a science of First World problems. Its research relies disproportionately on samples from so-called WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, and Democratic) populations, who represent a small, affluent fraction of humanity. This bias is not merely geographic but deeply political and historical, reflecting the economic dominance of Euro-American academia. The field prioritises topics such as social media anxiety over global crises such as contaminated water, which kills millions annually. Ultimately, this WEIRD skew conceals a more profound racial bias: psychology functions primarily as a science by and for White people, marginalizing the realities and needs of the global majority.