What is the psychology of science, and where has it been all these years? Although contributions from philosophers, historians, and sociologists of science have burgeoned over the last half-century or more, the same cannot be said about the contributions of psychologists to our understanding of science. Yet as we will see in this book, both the methods and the theories of psychology have important and unique contributions to make to science studies. In fact, a sizable psychological literature pertinent to science studies already exists; but the contributors to that literature have rarely identified themselves explicitly either as psychologists of science or as members of a coherent specialty called psychology of science.

Today, however, we think that psychology of science is a specialty whose time has now come. Substantively, psychological contributions to science studies are increasing in frequency and quality. Sociologically, psychologists are beginning to identify themselves as interested in the topic. But much work needs to be done if the psychology of science is to achieve its potential. In the present book, we plan to further this agenda – to examine the history of and justification for a psychology of science, to outline its possible content and methods, to document some if its accomplishments and its potential, and most of all, to intrigue and encourage fellow psychologists to bring their expertise to bear on the study of science.