How scientists can optimise their impact on pressing societal problems: Commentary on Chater and Loewenstein (2022)’s argument for research on systemic change

Abstract

In a recent contribution to Brain and Behavioral Sciences, Chater and Loewenstein (2022) argue that researchers can increase their societal impact by addressing behavioural research topics relevant to systemic change (i.e., “s-frame”) rather than research on individual change (i.e., “i-frame”). By swinging the pendulum back from overly relying on i-frames, we expect their call to be influential among researchers interested in having a positive societal impact. The present commentary discusses their contributions in the light of the assertion that the cause a researcher addresses is a major determinant of the potential societal impact of research. We argue that large-scale but neglected problems can yield highly effective s- and i-frame research topics, and the distinction between i- and s-frames could yield a helpful complementary heuristic for choosing research topics that address the most pressing societal problems.

Authors 4

1. Shiva Pauer corresponding

   University of Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Social Psychology , University of Amsterdam

   Department of Social Psychology, University of Amsterdam

2. Izzy Gainsburg

   University of Michigan · University of Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Ross School of Business , University of Michigan

   University of Amsterdam , Department of Social Psychology Nieuwe Achtergracht 129-B , Amsterdam , The Netherlands

   Ross School of Business, University of Michigan

3. Eamon Aloyo Aachen Institute for Security and Global Affairs

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Security and Global Affairs , Leiden University

   Institute for Security and Global Affairs, Leiden University

4. Alejandrina Cristià

   Université Paris Sciences et Lettres

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Cognitive Studies , Paris Sciences et Lettres University PREPRINT -NOT PEER REVIEWED

   Department of Cognitive Studies, Paris Sciences et Lettres University