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Still WEIRD, still underreported: An updated benchmark for psychological science
Alison Jane Martingano1, Neema Trivedi-Bateman2, Lance Gauger1
1Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
The American Psychologist
|April 6, 2026
Summary
Psychological science research still heavily relies on Western samples, despite some improvements in demographic reporting. Progress toward inclusivity and transparency in participant sampling remains modest and uneven.
Area of Science:
- Psychological science research practices.
- Cross-cultural psychology and research methodology.
Background:
- Psychological science faces criticism for over-reliance on samples from Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) societies.
- Previous reviews highlighted the lack of diversity in psychological research participants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the current state of diversity and representativeness in psychological research samples.
- To assess adherence to American Psychological Association (APA) reporting standards for race, ethnicity, and culture.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1,217 human subjects research articles published in 2024 across six leading psychology journals.
- Evaluation of national sample origins, demographic representativeness, and compliance with APA Journal Article Reporting Standards (JARS).
Main Results:
- U.S. participants remain overrepresented (59%), though the proportion of U.S.-based samples is declining.
- Demographic reporting has improved, but race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and education are often omitted.
- Adoption of APA reporting standards for diversity varies widely across journals, with some practices common and others rare.
Conclusions:
- Psychological science continues to depend heavily on WEIRD samples, indicating limited progress in inclusivity.
- There is a need for systematic monitoring of research practices to promote greater diversity and transparency.
- The study establishes a benchmark for future evaluations of inclusivity in psychological research.
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