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WILD kids, cutting-edge research. Enhancing diversity and reflexivity in psychology
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 July 2026
Abstract
The application of the WILD research framework (Worldwide, In situ, Local, Diverse) to developmental psychology exposes further WEIRD biases. I suggest that Diversity must extend beyond Worldwide sampling to include within-nation variation and suggest that structural and cultural barriers maintaining WEIRD dominance can be mitigated through lightening bureaucratic loads, researcher reflexivity, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
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- Open Peer Commentary
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- © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press
References
Henrich, J., Heine, S. J., & Norenzayan, A. (2010). The weirdest people in the world?. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 33(2–3), 61–83.10.1017/S0140525X0999152XCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mehrabadi, A., Austin, N., Keyes, K. M., & De Vera, M. A. (2024). It’s personal: Navigating research questions that stem from our lived experiences. International Journal of Epidemiology, 53(6), dyae132.10.1093/ije/dyae132CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Newson, M., Buhrmester, M., Xygalatas, D., & Whitehouse, H. (2021). Go wild, not weird. Journal for the Cognitive Science of Religion, 6(1–2).10.1558/jcsr.38413CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Target article
Let’s go WILD: increasing inclusivity in theories of developmental psychology
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Author response
Response to commentators on “Let’s go WILD: Increasing inclusivity in theories of developmental psychology”