Social Influence

Registered Proof of Concept Articles in Social Influence

The study of social influence continues to be one of the most vibrant areas of psychology, but it also faces challenges. Many of the most innovative and ambitious ideas in our field require complex designs, behavioral measures, or difficult-to-obtain samples. These projects are often hindered by the significant resources they require, leading scholars to rely heavily on self-report measures administered via online platforms. To lower the threshold for innovation, Social Influence is introducing a new article format: the Registered Proof of Concept. This format allows researchers to present and evaluate the feasibility of a new research question or method before conducting a full-scale study.

Registered Proof of Concept articles empower scholars with ambitious questions who may not yet have the resources or networks to fully test them. By shifting the emphasis to feasibility and novelty, we seek to create a platform for preliminary tests, transparent sharing of materials, and a call for collaboration. This reduces barriers for scholars, encourages methodological diversity, and fosters collaborations that can bring ideas to fruition. Importantly, Social Influence also commits to publishing follow-up studies that build directly on these proofs of concept, ensuring continuity and visibility for both the initial idea and its eventual large-scale test.

We invite submissions across the full scope of social influence research, including persuasion, conformity, compliance, power, coalition formation, social exclusion, norms, and group processes. Submissions should present a clear research question, a feasible methodological design, and sufficient sampling to demonstrate viability. Authors are expected to share their materials openly and conclude with a call for collaboration. We will prioritize work that moves beyond self-reported intentions and engages with behavioral measures in real or experimental contexts. Only the first stage of the Registered Proof of Concept is due by the July deadline; please review this document for further information and instructions.

Please contact Dr. MK Huffman at [email protected] with any queries about discount codes regarding this Article Collection.

Please be sure to select the appropriate Article Collection from the drop-down menu in the submission system.

Ilja van Beest is Professor of Social Psychology at Tilburg University and Editor-in-Chief of Social Influence. His research focuses on group dynamics, social exclusion, and coalition formation. He has published widely on experimental methods in social influence and is committed to promoting transparency and innovation in the field.

Daniel Lakens is Associate Professor in the Human-Technology Interaction group at Eindhoven University of Technology. His work centers on improving research methods, statistical practices, and the use of registered reports. He is an advocate of open science and has played a key role in shaping preregistration practices in psychology.