Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
08:24
The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies
Published on: August 25, 2023
Between Gift-Giving and Accumulation: Peer Review Economies in Psychology
1Centre for Science & Technology Studies, Leiden University, P.O. Box 905, 2300AX Leiden, The Netherlands.
Minerva
|June 15, 2026
Summary
Peer review operates as a gift economy, but competitive pressures can strain reciprocity. Some journals balance this by offering reputation, while others foster sustainability through open or portable review systems.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Scholarly Publishing
- Academic Research
Background:
- Peer review is essential for research quality but offers few formal rewards.
- Reviewers face a conflict between community obligations and personal career goals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how psychology journal reviewers navigate the tension between community responsibility and individual priorities.
- To understand the economic and social dynamics influencing reviewer motivation and sustainability.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 39 semi-structured interviews with reviewers across three psychology publishing outlets.
- Analyzed reviewer experiences within different publishing models (prestigious, not-for-profit).
Main Results:
- Peer review functions as a gift economy, potentially undermined by competitive accumulation of capital (recognition, money).
- Prestigious journals exploit this tension, offering reputation as compensation for undesirable practices.
- Not-for-profit outlets with open or portable reviews alleviate tensions, fostering sustainability.
Conclusions:
- The sustainability of peer review depends on balancing gift-giving reciprocity with competitive economic factors.
- Different publishing models impact reviewer motivation and the perceived value of their contributions.
- Models promoting transparency and collaboration may enhance reviewer engagement and system longevity.
Related Concept Videos
02:06Social Exchange Theory
We have discussed why we form relationships, what attracts us to others, and different types of love. But what determines whether we are satisfied with and stay in a relationship? One theory that provides an explanation is social exchange theory. According to social exchange theory, we act as naïve economists in keeping a tally of the ratio of costs and benefits of forming and maintaining a relationship with others (Rusbult & Van Lange, 2003).
01:26Social Exchange Theory
As formulated by John Thibaut and Harold Kelley, Social Exchange Theory explains human relationships as economic-like exchanges that maximize rewards and minimize costs. This theory suggests that individuals engage in relationships to gain benefits and reduce burdens, similar to economic transactions. It has been widely applied to various types of relationships, including romantic, professional, and social interactions.Rewards and Costs in RelationshipsRelationship rewards include emotional...
00:52Social Proof
Social proof is a form of persuasion based on comparison and conformity. People compare their behavior and actions to what others are doing and will change to conform to do what their peers do.
01:24Humanistic Psychology
Humanistic psychology emerged in the mid-20th century as a response to the deterministic and pessimistic nature of behaviorism and psychoanalysis. While behaviorism focused on observable behaviors influenced by the environment and psychoanalysis delved into unconscious motivations, both theories suggested that human actions lacked free will. In contrast, humanistic psychology offers a perspective that emphasizes the innate potential for goodness and growth within every individual.
This approach...
This approach...
01:24Sources of Self-Esteem II: Performance Feedback
Self-esteem is intricately tied to our perception of competence and our ability to exert control over our lives. One of the primary sources of this perception is performance feedback — the ongoing evaluation of our actions in terms of success and failure. According to Franks and Marolla (1976), people derive self-worth from experiencing themselves as causal agents, capable of achieving goals and overcoming obstacles. This process nurtures a critical component of self-esteem: self-efficacy,...
01:29Social Psychology and Individual Behavior
Social psychology examines how group dynamics, emotions, and cultural influences shape individual actions and decision-making. These elements interact to form behavioral patterns that affect personal choices and social interactions.The Role of Group DynamicsGroups play a crucial role in shaping behavior by reinforcing norms and expectations. Individuals derive a sense of self from group membership, often aligning their behaviors with group norms to maintain social cohesion. For example, an...