The content of Greater Good has been shaped by the systemic inequities that have distorted scientific research all over the world. Much of our content, for example, reflects WEIRD bias: papers based on Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic populations who are (by one count) only 12% of humanity but 80% of study participants. 

In addition, scientists in psychology and other fields do not reflect the diversity of the human population. According to one 2015 review, 86% of psychologists in the U.S. workforce were white, 5% were Asian (which is slightly higher than the overall Asian American population), 4% were Black (less than half the African American population), and 5% were Latino (dramatically lower, especially in California)—numbers that actually represent a significant improvement over the not-so-recent past. Evidence suggests that the number of doctoral-level Native American psychologists in the U.S. is vanishingly small—around 200. 

Greater Good strives to correct the distortions introduced by this lack of diversity whenever possible, by:

  • Highlighting studies of non-WEIRD populations;
  • Amplifying the work and voices of scientists of color;
  • Engaging freelance writers of color;
  • Challenging racism and other kinds of bias; and
  • Aiming for maximally inclusive and culturally humble language and imagery, knowing that this language is constantly evolving.

Beyond race and culture, Greater Good aims to honor and explore the experiences and discoveries of other populations historically marginalized and disempowered in the United States and elsewhere: women; people with disabilities; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and queer people; transgender people; and those living in alternative relationship and family structures, including people who are single (or solo parents) by circumstance or choice, polyamorous people, blended and reverse-traditional families, and more. 

Finally, we recognize the power of economic inequality and the ways the experiences of poor and working-class people are often discounted in psychology and other fields. Whenever possible, we aim to cover research in a way that does not assume everyone has equal access to resources, and to highlight socioeconomic inequality when relevant.