Suche
Mein Konto
Diverse insights: Psychologists' research day in Hagen inspires!
On June 3, 2025, the Research Day took place at the FernUniversität Hagen with inaugural lectures and presentations on diversity in psychology.
Diverse insights: Psychologists' research day in Hagen inspires!
On June 3, 2025, the Research Day of the Faculty of Psychology at the FernUniversität in Hagen took place, a significant event that revolved around the topics of diversity and inclusion in psychological research. As part of this event, three new professors were introduced who address current challenges in the discipline. Prof. Dr. Jenny Sarah Wesche, who has held a professorship in business psychology since 2023, Prof. Dr. Angela Dorrough, head of the behavioral economics and intercultural psychology department since 2024, and Jun.-Prof. Dr. Hannah Comteße, who has headed the clinical and health psychology department since 2024.
A central topic was the discussion about the WEIRD bias, which is discussed in psychology. Angela Dorrough explained that the acronym WEIRD stands for Western, well-educated, rich and democratic societies, a term introduced by Heine, Norenzayan and another researcher in 2010 to criticize the lack of diversity in psychological studies. Dorrough highlighted the implications of this bias for the generalizability of research findings and the urgent need to focus more on cultural diversity to ensure the validity of psychological models.
Challenges and solutions
Wesche highlighted the difficulties in addressing representative samples. She addressed the so-called POSH bias, which focuses on people with high socioeconomic status. Their studies aim to reach more low-wage employees for online surveys in order to increase the diversity of the test subjects. These challenges are present not only in Germany, but also internationally in psychological research.
Jun. Prof. Dr. Hannah Comteße addressed the particularly sensitive topic of psychological stress among refugees. Given the global increase in refugees, particularly from Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine, she emphasized the need to question Western-influenced psychological concepts. Comteße found that seeking professional help for refugees is often associated with significant barriers.
Interactive formats and exchange
A highlight of the event was a guest lecture by Jun.-Prof. Dr. Kinga Bierwiaczonek, who spoke about stress factors in the host country. This was facilitated by a panel discussion moderated by Prof. Dr. Anette Rohmann, added, who offered further space for exchange on these topics. The event ended with an opportunity for networking, where scientists and interested parties talked to each other over a buffet.
The discussion about diversity in psychology is also supported by an overarching tutorial entitled "WEIRD - White, Educated, Industrialized, Rich & Diverse? How diverse is psychology really?" stands. The first event will take place on October 23, 2024 and is intended to encourage participants to question the WEIRD bias in psychological research and practice. Information about this is below AStA Frankfurt available.
The moves toward a more diverse psychology are necessary. Many psychological models, such as the Big Five, are based on samples from WEIRD cultures and cannot adequately reflect the reality of other cultures. This need to place research results on a broader basis creates a challenge and at the same time an opportunity for the entire discipline.
The focus on diversity in psychology shows that it is time to question old paradigms and integrate new perspectives. This is the only way the research can be truly representative.
For more details about the lectures and discussions as well as the challenges of WEIRD in psychology, read more at FernUniversität Hagen and Psychology Today.