Participant diversity in Psychophysiology.

Area of Science:

• Psychophysiology
• Diversity and Inclusion in Scientific Research

Background:

• The Society for Psychophysiological Research (SPR) and its journal, Psychophysiology, have increasingly emphasized diversity and inclusion (D&I) since 2010.
• This review examines changes in participant demographic reporting and analysis in Psychophysiology articles from 2010-2020.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess if SPR and Psychophysiology's D&I commitment has improved demographic reporting and analysis.
• To compare reporting practices with APA standards and guidance from a 2016 Special Issue on Diversity and Representation.

Main Methods:

• Content analysis of articles published in Psychophysiology between 2010 and 2020.
• Evaluation of demographic variable reporting frequency and their use in statistical analyses.

Main Results:

• Biological sex and average age were frequently reported; age range and education were reported in over half of studies.
• Race/ethnicity was reported in only 17% of studies, while socioeconomic status, gender identity, and sexual orientation were rarely reported.
• Over 60% of studies reported demographic variables but did not use them in analyses as covariates or moderators.

Conclusions:

• While progress has been made in reporting some demographics, significant gaps remain, particularly for race/ethnicity and other identity variables.
• SPR and Psychophysiology should advocate for comprehensive demographic reporting and the ethical analysis of demographic influences on psychophysiological mechanisms.
• The study calls for enhanced open science practices in psychophysiology research.