A comparison of two major scientific information exchange processes in psychology: 1962 and 1976.

From 1962 to 1976 the amount of scientific information produced by psychologists and presented at American Psychological Association conventions or published in "core" psychology journals doubled. A series of studies compared the scientific communication activities of these 2 media at the beginning and end of this doubling period. Results indicate that relatively few significant changes have taken place in these media, despite the enormous increases in the numbers of psychologists and in the amount of psychological information disseminated. Those changes observed suggest (a) an increasing emphasis on applied work and (b) an increased reliance on informal communication processes. It is hypothesized that the overall stability of these media relates to their maintaining quality control over information exchanged among scientists and to discouraging rapid changes in the general nature of the discipline. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)