Mark Rubin
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markrubin.bsky.social
Mark Rubin
@markrubin.bsky.social
20K followers 1.9K following 5.4K posts
social psychology ▪︎ metascience ▪︎ philosophy of science ▪︎ higher education

Professor at Durham University, UK. He/him.

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/markrubinsocialpsychresearch/

Substack: https://markrubin.substack.com/
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markrubin.bsky.social
Mark Rubin @markrubin.bsky.social · Aug 22
Just published…

I argue that preregistration does not improve the transparent evaluation of the severity of hypothesis tests (a) in Popper’s approach or (b) in Mayo’s error statistical approach when preregistration is treated as “a plan, not a prison.”

Open Access: doi.org/10.1007/s112...
One justification for preregistering research hypotheses, methods, and analyses is that it improves the transparent evaluation of the severity of hypothesis tests. In this article, I consider two cases in which preregistration does not improve this evaluation. First, I argue that, although preregistration may facilitate the transparent evaluation of severity in Mayo’s error statistical philosophy of science, it does not facilitate this evaluation in Popper’s theory-centric approach. To illustrate, I show that associated concerns about Type I error rate inflation are only relevant in the error statistical approach and not in a theory-centric approach. Second, I argue that a test procedure that is preregistered but that also allows deviations in its implementation (i.e., “a plan, not a prison”) does not provide a more transparent evaluation of Mayoian severity than a non-preregistered procedure. In particular, I argue that sample-based validity-enhancing deviations cause an unknown inflation of the test procedure’s Type I error rate and, consequently, an unknown reduction in its capability to license inferences severely. I conclude that preregistration does not improve the transparent evaluation of severity (a) in Popper’s philosophy of science or (b) in Mayo’s approach when deviations are allowed.
markrubin.bsky.social
#AcademicSky #PhDSky #EduSky #CogPsyc #HigherEd
February 11, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Reposted by Mark Rubin
marcobocchio.bsky.social
🧠 We’ve widened the entry criteria for our MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience at Durham: www.durham.ac.uk/study/course...

We now welcome students from a broad range of backgrounds—Psychology, Biology, Engineering, Physics and more as Neuroscience thrives on diverse perspectives
www.durham.ac.uk
February 11, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Reposted by Mark Rubin
drshodgetts.bsky.social
Are you in a relationship with someone who menstruates? If so, I want to hear from you to find out more about how #PMDD and other menstrual symptoms affect the relationship.

Please follow this link for more info, or to take part: durhamuniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.
durhamuniversity.qualtrics.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Reposted by Mark Rubin
psychmag.bsky.social
Psychology needs a… revolution
www.bps.org.uk/psychologist...
@maddipow.bsky.social @richardwiseman.bsky.social @joakimsundh.bsky.social @jamiecummins.bsky.social @lizstokoe.bsky.social @margaritap.bsky.social and others…
Psychology needs a… revolution | BPS
Our editor Jon Sutton introduces a special collection, with your views...
www.bps.org.uk
February 6, 2026 at 11:39 AM
markrubin.bsky.social
It will be a revolution to refrain from revolutions at some point! 😄
February 8, 2026 at 7:16 PM
markrubin.bsky.social
February 8, 2026 at 7:13 PM
markrubin.bsky.social
There's a few "revolutions" in the latest edition of The Psychologist...
Psychology needs a… revolution | BPS
Our editor Jon Sutton introduces a special collection, with your views...
www.bps.org.uk
February 8, 2026 at 7:12 PM
markrubin.bsky.social
For more on the "heterogeneity revolution" see Bryan et al. (2021).

#MetaSci #PsycSci
Behavioural science is unlikely to change the world without a heterogeneity revolution - Nature Human Behaviour
Behavioural science increasingly informs policy, but findings are not always replicated. Bryan et al. describe an emerging heterogeneity revolution. They recommend that researchers use heterogeneity i...
doi.org
February 8, 2026 at 6:42 PM
markrubin.bsky.social
A Heterogeneity Revolution in Psychology

"When studies that may appear similar are repeated, findings often vary more than we would expect due to sampling error. This is not necessarily a problem if we understand why this happens."
Psychology needs a… heterogeneity revolution | BPS
Audrey Linden argues we should drop the assumption that interventions will have a single, underlying effect size.
www.bps.org.uk
February 8, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Reposted by Mark Rubin
olivia.science
AI "impedes [theory because we're] interested in human-understandable theory and theory-based models, not statistical models which provide only a representation of the data. Scientific theories and models are only useful if [we understand them and] they connect transparently to research questions."
olivia.science Olivia Guest · Ολίβια Γκεστ @olivia.science · 3d
Not directly relevant but medicalisation is also a strategy, perhaps useful see bsky.app/profile/oliv...
February 8, 2026 at 7:33 AM
Reposted by Mark Rubin
bsiepe.bsky.social
Does it make sense to preregister simulation studies?
This question has sparked a lot of debate.

▶️We* work through the why, when, and how
▶️We discuss different phases of methodological research to clarify where preregistration might (or might not) add value

📝 Preprint: doi.org/10.31234/osf...
Diagram showing four phases of methodological research (Theory, Exploration, Systematic Comparison, Evidence Synthesis) with an arrow indicating that preregistration usefulness increases from early to late phases. Each phase lists its aim, elements, outcome, and an example from factor retention research.
February 4, 2026 at 10:40 AM
markrubin.bsky.social
"These, in turn, are essential for social transformation and for overcoming social injustice."

#SocialPsyc
Acknowledging how sexual minorities may engage in system-justification should not be confused with blaming these individuals for their own social and political subordination and suffering. On the contrary, this recognition implies a critical view of the way the political and psychological processes interact to render sexual minorities oblivious and satisfied with their reality. System-justification prevents sexual minorities from recognizing inequality protecting them from negative feelings such as anger and outrage, which are responsible for fostering motivation for protest and collective actions (Badaan et al., 2018). These, in turn, are essential for social transformation and for overcoming social injustice. Therefore, our scale can also be used to advance on research related to motivation for political action regarding sexual minorities’ issues, which can inform future interventions that may help raising critical consciousness among sexual minorities.
February 7, 2026 at 11:27 AM
markrubin.bsky.social
For example: “System-justification prevents sexual minorities from recognizing inequality, protecting them from negative feelings such as anger and outrage, which are responsible for fostering motivation for protest and collective actions (Badaan et al., 2018).”

Open Access: doi.org/10.1007/s121...
System-justification is the tendency to justify and preserve different sociopolitical systems, which can affect even the ones harmed by them. Based on previously developed scales such as the General System-Justification Scale and the Gender-Specific System-Justification Scale, this article proposes and validate through five different studies a new Heteronormative System-Justification Scale that measures the degree to which individuals justify and legitimate the heteronormative system, that is, the position of inferiority and subordination LGBs currently occupy in society. The studies were conducted in the Brazilian context with sexual minorities, a country in which these individuals are still widely discriminated, alike other Latin-American countries. In Study 1, we calculate a content validity coefficient based on experts’ analyses. In Study 2 (n = 376), we conducted exploratory factor analysis and found a single-factor structure. In Study 3 (n = 397), this structure is confirmed through a different sample. In Study 4 (n = 777), we present convergent and incremental validity of the heteronormative system-justification by comparing it with empirically related constructs. At last, in Study 5 (n = 662), we conducted a social experiment, exposing participants to system-justifying and system-critical information to manipulate heteronormative system-justification and test its causal effect on subjective well-being. Overall, these studies present several different evidences of validity and reliability for the scale, which can be used to further investigate system-justification tendencies among sexual minorities and correlated sociopolitical and psychological processes.
February 7, 2026 at 11:27 AM
markrubin.bsky.social
"Yet this comfort often comes at a cost: it can dull the moral outrage needed to challenge systemic injustice and drive collective change."

#SocialPsyc #PolPsych
This research highlights a central paradox: people do not merely endure inequality—they interpret it, justify it, and at times deny it. For disadvantaged individuals, system-justifying beliefs may serve as psychological safeguards, lowering perceptions of discrimination and fostering a sense of coherence. Yet this comfort often comes at a cost: it can dull the moral outrage needed to challenge systemic injustice and drive collective change. Understanding this duality is essential for scholars and policymakers alike. Ultimately, the divergent predictors of perceived discrimination by gender and ethnicity reflect not only structural disparities, but also the symbolic frameworks through which individuals make sense of justice. Only by attending to both material and recognition-based dimensions of inequality can a fuller understanding—and eventual transformation—of the psychological landscape of social stratification be achieved.
February 7, 2026 at 10:54 AM
markrubin.bsky.social
System Justification Among the Disadvantaged

“For disadvantaged individuals, system-justifying beliefs may serve as psychological safeguards, lowering perceptions of discrimination and fostering a sense of coherence.”

revistas.uniandes.edu.co/index.php/re...
This article examines the psychological mechanisms through which system-justifying beliefs mitigate the adverse effects of perceived discrimination on well-being among members of historically marginalized groups in Chile. Borrowing from the status-legitimacy hypothesis and System Justification Theory, the analyses test whether beliefs legitimizing the sociopolitical order can fulfill a palliative function— particularly when they correspond to the specific dimension of injustice most salient to a given social identity. Two studies were conducted involving women and Mapuche participants, both of whom occupy structurally disadvantaged positions in Chilean society. In Study 1 (N = 1,046), robust findings previously observed in WEIRD contexts were replicated, demonstrating that system-justifying beliefs—operationalized through gender- and ethnicity-specific systemic fairness appraisals—moderate the relationship between group status and well-being by attenuating perceptions of discrimination among the socially disadvantaged. Results from follow-up moderated mediation models show that stronger system-justifying beliefs reduce the perceived discrimination gap between disadvantaged and advantaged participants, thereby narrowing disparities in well-being. Study 2 (N= 777) extends this work by unpacking which specific system fairness domain—distributive equality, respect and dignity, and tradition—are most predictive of perceived discrimination (or lack thereof). Employing semantic differential items and quadratic regression models, findings show that, for women, the minimization of gender-based discrimination aligns with moderate views on distributive justice. Among Mapuche participants, however, perceived dignity and societal respect are more central in explaining attenuated discrimination perceptions. Together, these findings offer novel evidence that the palliative effects of ideology are domain-specific. They underscore the need to disaggregate system legitimacy into its …
February 7, 2026 at 10:54 AM
markrubin.bsky.social
"I outline why modesty matters for science including the reform agenda, provide some practical steps that we can take to embrace modesty..."

Ramsey (2021): psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-...
Exaggerated claims and low levels of reproducibility are commonplace in psychology and cognitive neuroscience, due to an incentive structure that demands “newsworthy” results. My overall argument here is that in addition to methodological reform, greater modesty is required across all levels - from individual researchers to the systems that govern science (e.g., editors, reviewers, grant panels, hiring committees) - to redirect expectations regarding what psychological and brain science can effectively deliver. Empirical work and the reform agenda should pivot away from making big claims on narrow evidence bases or single tools and focus on the limitations of our individual efforts, as well as how we can work together to build ways of thinking that enable integration and synthesis across multiple modalities and levels of description. I outline why modesty matters for science including the reform agenda, provide some practical steps that we can take to embrace modesty, rebut common misconceptions of what modesty means for science, and present some limitations of the approach. Ultimately, by presenting a more sober view of our capacities and achievements, whilst placing work within a wider context that respects the complexity of the human brain, we will bolster the fidelity of scientific inference and thus help in a small way to generate a firmer footing upon which to build a cumulative science
February 7, 2026 at 8:21 AM
markrubin.bsky.social
"Although intellectual humility is presented as a widely accepted scientific norm, we argue that current research practice does not incentivize intellectual humility."

Hoekstra & Vazire (2021): www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The replication crisis in the social, behavioural and life sciences has spurred a reform movement aimed at increasing the credibility of scientific studies. Many of these credibility-enhancing reforms focus, appropriately, on specific research and publication practices. A less often mentioned aspect of credibility is the need for intellectual humility or being transparent about and owning the limitations of our work. Although intellectual humility is presented as a widely accepted scientific norm, we argue that current research practice does not incentivize intellectual humility. We provide a set of recommendations on how to increase intellectual humility in research articles and highlight the central role peer reviewers can play in incentivizing authors to foreground the flaws and uncertainty in their work, thus enabling full and transparent evaluation of the validity of research.
February 7, 2026 at 8:21 AM
markrubin.bsky.social
"The question is not whether science will be metaphorical, narrative, and ritualistic — it will, because brains are. The question is whether scientists will wield these tools knowingly or be wielded by them unknowingly."
Science and Taboo: Why Rational Minds Need Myths, Metaphors, and Rituals
Science is the most powerful method of understanding the world that human beings have ever devised. It splits atoms, sequences genomes, and…
medium.com
February 7, 2026 at 7:50 AM
markrubin.bsky.social
See also...
markrubin.bsky.social Mark Rubin @markrubin.bsky.social · Dec 5
“Positivism Creep”

“The subtle, often unacknowledged infiltration of positivist or post-positivist assumptions into methodologies where they do not naturally, philosophically, practically, or epistemologically belong.”

By @thomasgraves.bsky.social @maddipow.bsky.social @annayahprosser.bsky.social
February 7, 2026 at 7:45 AM
markrubin.bsky.social
"Instead, qualitative methods have been pushed further into the margins."
February 7, 2026 at 7:43 AM
markrubin.bsky.social
"Quantitative methodologists have taken a beating (by one another) in the past decade, and this provided the perfect opportunity for the discipline to turn to its qualitative sisters and ask for help in creating a more nuanced, complete, and reflexive way of doing things."
February 7, 2026 at 7:43 AM
Reposted by Mark Rubin
jeffgreene.bsky.social
Preach! "We believe epistemic processes have been one of the underlying issues across the three disciplinary crises and need to come to the fore in reform efforts." (1/2)
markrubin.bsky.social Mark Rubin @markrubin.bsky.social · 5d
“Methodological and administrative solutions are valuable, but they are not enough. Rather, we need to engage with the epistemic processes and ideals at the heart of psychological knowledge production and engage very closely with critical perspectives...”

#PsycSci #Methodology #MetaSci
Psychology’s Recurring Crises: Lessons from History and Philosophy of Science
We examine what generated crisis discussions, how they tended to unfold, and how they were resolved. And we derive some lessons from history for the current replication crisis.
open.substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:25 PM
markrubin.bsky.social
Humility Revolution

"Humility is not a threat to scientific authority; it is a strength. It shows disciplinary maturity, intellectual honesty, and methodological pluralism. A humility revolution must, surely, lead to better science."

By @maddipow.bsky.social

#PsycSci #MetaSci #Methodology
Psychology needs a… humility revolution | BPS
Madeleine Pownall argues that Psychology is ‘necessarily limited and incomplete’.
www.bps.org.uk
February 6, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Reposted by Mark Rubin
drrobarcher.bsky.social
📣 Call for Papers: (Re-)Theorizing the Psyche

New Frontiers in Psychology Research Topic. Using the replication crisis as a lens on theory, ontology, methodology & epistemology in psychology.

#ReplicationCrisis #Psychology #Reproducibility #Replication

www.frontiersin.org/research-top...
Frontiers | (Re-)Theorizing the Psyche: Exploring Foundational Shifts in Psychological Science
The replication crisis has exposed deep-seated tensions within psychological science. Beyond technical or procedural flaws, it has raised fundamental questio...
www.frontiersin.org
February 6, 2026 at 5:31 PM