Some of us remember when Hans Eysenck (1916–1997) was a household name among people who read psychology books. One source explains,
Hans Eysenck developed a very influential personality theory. It’s so influential because it revolves around very specific points and they easily relate to everyday discourse. His personality theory is based on biological factors, arguing that individuals inherit a type of nervous system that affects their ability to learn and adapt to the environment. However, Eysenck’s work generated criticism for suggesting that biological or genetic factors influence personality and an individual’s susceptibility to engage in criminal behavior.
“Three Dimensions of Personality According to Hans Eysenck” at Exploring Your Mind
Consensus science at work, right?
And now we learn:
Two journals have retracted 13 papers co-authored by the late — and controversial — psychologist Hans Eysenck, following a university investigation that found dozens of his papers to be “unsafe.”
One of the journals, Perceptual and Motor Skills, subjected eight of Eysenck’s papers to expressions of concern, while another — Psychological Reports — subjected 10 of them to the same flag. Both journals are published by SAGE.
Ivan Oransky, “Journals retract 13 papers by Hans Eysenck, flag 18, some 60 years old” at Retraction Watch
The rap? Among other things, “the implausibility of the results presented, many of which show effect sizes virtually unknown in medical science.”
Hmmm. Consensus science was hard at work.
See also: “Avalanche” of retractions of research papers on spider personalities It will be interesting to see what impact the retractions have on claims about the evolution of animal behavior.
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BioLogos is marketing theistic evolution and “consensus science” to Christian schools. In the real world, this is not the time to be buying into “consensus” but to be advocating reform.