Subscribe
The latest psychology and neuroscience discoveries.
My Account
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Neuroscience
  • About
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
Home Exclusive Social Psychology

Scientists raise the alarm about the growing trend of “soft” censorship of research

by Eric W. Dolan
November 29, 2023
in Social Psychology
(Photo credit: OpenAI's DALL·E)

(Photo credit: OpenAI's DALL·E)

Share on TwitterShare on Facebook
Follow PsyPost on Google News

In a recent Perspective piece published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a group of 38 coauthors raised concerns about scientific censorship and its implications. The authors argue that science, fundamentally driven by evidence rather than authority or tradition, often finds itself at odds with societal norms, leading to various forms of censorship. The article highlights an often-overlooked aspect of modern-day scientific censorship: it is frequently perpetuated by scientists themselves.

In their paper, the authors distinguish between ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ censorship. Hard censorship involves direct actions to prevent the dissemination of ideas, such as government or institutional restrictions. Soft censorship, on the other hand, includes social punishments or pressures that indirectly hinder the spread of certain scientific ideas.

The authors emphasize that while overt government censorship of science is rare in liberal democracies, more subtle forms of censorship pose a significant threat to scientific openness. This soft censorship can manifest as disguised criticism, rejections under the guise of addressing dangerous or false information, or social pressures leading to self-censorship among scientists.

Far from being external forces, censorship efforts often originate within the scientific community, they argue. Scientists, acting as peer reviewers, editors, or senior researchers, can inadvertently or deliberately suppress ideas that challenge established norms or their own research.

The increasing incidence of scientific censorship, as documented through surveys and reports, is alarming, they write. Actions ranging from disciplinary measures to rejections and retractions motivated by harm concerns are on the rise, indicating a growing trend of censorship in the scientific community.

The authors discuss the psychology behind censorship, suggesting that it can be motivated not only by authoritarian tendencies but also by prosocial concerns.

Self-protection is proposed as a significant factor, where scientists may censor ideas that threaten their reputations or career trajectories. In a highly competitive field, preserving one’s standing can sometimes overshadow the pursuit of unbiased scientific truth.

Benevolence towards peer scholars is another cited motive. Senior scientists or mentors might discourage junior researchers from pursuing certain lines of inquiry to protect them from potential backlash or career harm. This ‘benevolent censorship’ is a double-edged sword – while it aims to protect, it also stifles innovative and potentially groundbreaking research.

The third major motive is prosocial concerns for the well-being of human social groups. Scientists may shy away from or suppress research that they fear could harm vulnerable groups or be misused to propagate harmful ideologies. While this reflects a commendable ethical stance, it also raises questions about the limits of self-censorship in the name of social responsibility.

While these motives might be well-intentioned, the article emphasizes that censorship in any form can be a double-edged sword. It raises ethical dilemmas about the responsibility of scientists to share truth and knowledge versus the potential societal impact of their findings. The tension between advancing scientific understanding and safeguarding societal interests poses a significant challenge to the integrity and progress of science.

The authors of the paper advocate for a more balanced approach to handling controversial or sensitive scientific findings. They suggest that the scientific community needs to develop clearer guidelines and ethical frameworks that allow for the responsible dissemination of research while being mindful of its potential societal impact.

The paper, “Prosocial motives underlie scientific censorship by scientists: A perspective and research agenda“, was authored by Cory J. Clark, Lee Jussim, Komi Frey, Sean T. Stevens, Musa al- Gharbi, Karl Aquino, J. Michael Bailey, Nicole Barbaro, Roy F. Baumeister, April Bleske- Rechek, David Buss, Stephen Cecil, Marco Del Giudice, Peter H. Ditton, Joseph P. Forgaso, David C. Geary, Glenn Geher, Sarah Haider, Nathan Honeycutt, Hrishikesh Joshi, Anna I. Krylov, Elizabeth Loftus, Glenn Loury, Louise Lu, Michael Macy, Chris C. Martin, John McWhorter, Geoffrey Miller, Pamela Paresky, Steven Pinker, Wilfred Reilly, Catherine Salmon, Steve Stewart- Williams, Philip E. Tetlock, Wendy M. Williams, Anne E. Wilson, Bo M. Winegard, George Yancey, and William von Hippel.

TweetSendScanShareSendPin1ShareShareShareShareShare

RELATED

Troubling study shows “politics can trump truth” to a surprising degree, regardless of education or analytical ability
Donald Trump

Racial insecurity helped shield Trump from Republican backlash after Capitol riot, study suggests

June 18, 2025

Despite widespread condemnation of the January 6th attack, many white Republicans remained loyal to Trump—especially those who perceived anti-white discrimination. A new study shows how racial status threat can protect political leaders from the consequences of norm violations.

Read moreDetails
Some dark personality traits may help buffer against depression, new psychology research suggests
COVID-19

COVID-19 coverage linked to rise in anti-Asian sentiment, especially among Trump supporters

June 17, 2025

Americans became less favorable toward Asians as COVID-19 spread and news coverage intensified, according to a new study. The drop was strongest among Trump supporters, highlighting how political rhetoric and fear shaped public opinion during the pandemic.

Read moreDetails
Some dark personality traits may help buffer against depression, new psychology research suggests
Dark Triad

Some dark personality traits may help buffer against depression, new psychology research suggests

June 17, 2025

Dark traits like narcissism and psychopathy are often associated with dysfunction, but new findings reveal that certain facets—especially Machiavellian agency—might help people manage stress and depression more effectively through adaptive coping strategies.

Read moreDetails
Dark personality traits and specific humor styles are linked to online trolling, study finds
Artificial Intelligence

Memes can serve as strong indicators of coming mass violence

June 15, 2025

A new study finds that surges in visual propaganda—like memes and doctored images—often precede political violence. By combining AI with expert analysis, researchers tracked manipulated content leading up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, revealing early warning signs of instability.

Read moreDetails
Evolutionary scholars worry political trends are impeding progress in evolutionary psychology, according to new study
Social Psychology

Scientists uncover surprisingly consistent pattern of scholarly curiosity throughout history

June 15, 2025

A sweeping new study of thousands of historical scholars suggests that human curiosity may follow a universal blueprint. Across centuries and civilizations, intellectual interests appear to cluster in surprisingly consistent ways—hinting at deep patterns in how we seek knowledge.

Read moreDetails
Poor sleep may shrink brain regions vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease, study suggests
Political Psychology

Christian nationalists tend to imagine God as benevolent, angry over sins, and engaged

June 14, 2025

Christians who believe God is benevolent, engaged, and angered by sin are more likely to support religious nationalism, according to a new study. This worldview was also associated with conspiracy mentality and xenophobic attitudes.

Read moreDetails
Researchers unveil core traits of malignant narcissism, highlighting its antagonistic nature
Narcissism

Narcissists perceive inequity because they overestimate their contributions, study suggests

June 13, 2025

A new study highlights how narcissism can distort workplace fairness. Researchers found that narcissistic individuals often feel entitled and perceive inequity, suggesting that inflated self-views may skew how people judge their contributions and the rewards they receive.

Read moreDetails
Fear predicts authoritarian attitudes across cultures, with conservatives most affected
Authoritarianism

Fear predicts authoritarian attitudes across cultures, with conservatives most affected

June 13, 2025

A sweeping study of over 84,000 people across 59 countries found that individuals who feel threatened by crime, poverty, or instability are more likely to support authoritarian governance—especially in Western nations and among politically right-leaning individuals.

Read moreDetails

SUBSCRIBE

Go Ad-Free! Click here to subscribe to PsyPost and support independent science journalism!

STAY CONNECTED

LATEST

Attachment anxiety mediates effects of childhood abuse on parental confidence

Scientists demonstrate superior cognitive benefits of outdoor vs indoor physical activity

Racial insecurity helped shield Trump from Republican backlash after Capitol riot, study suggests

Frequent pornography use linked to altered brain connectivity and impaired cognitive performance

Childhood trauma linked to changes in brain structure and connectivity, study finds

Psilocybin-assisted therapy linked to reduced depression in people with bipolar disorder, small study finds

COVID-19 coverage linked to rise in anti-Asian sentiment, especially among Trump supporters

Some dark personality traits may help buffer against depression, new psychology research suggests

         
       
  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms and Conditions
[Do not sell my information]

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Cognitive Science Research
  • Mental Health Research
  • Social Psychology Research
  • Drug Research
  • Relationship Research
  • About PsyPost
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy