The Psychological Record: Reaffirming the Past and Embracing the Future

Abstract

With gratitude to Charles E. Rice and veneration for the prosperous, nearly BO-year history that the journal has enjoyed, I accept the position of Editor of The Psychological Record. The journal has played an important role in my own upbringing as a researcher and as a contributor to the peerreview process. In its provision of opportunities for newer researchers, the journal has invested wisely in sustaining our field. Under my editorship the journal will continue to support the efforts of newer scientists, much as it did under my predecessor. Following its inception at Indiana University in 1932 (e.g. , Bartlett, 1997; Mountjoy & Cone, 1997), the journal became prominent within the field of experimental psychology. In providing an outlet for manuscripts from all areas of scientific psychology, it was the founders' intentions that authors would experience a more rapid turn-around from submission to publication than was the case with other general psychology journals at the time (Mountjoy & Cone, 1997). Despite difficulties created by World War II , The Psychological Record remained a vehicle for the talents of those, including B. F. Skinner and J. R. Kantor, who would directly impact the course of our discipline. After suspending operation for a period during and after World War II, the journal moved to the University of Wichita, under the editorship of Paul Swartz in the 1950s. This marked the onset of Phase 2 in the journal's history (Wolf, 1976). A 17-year Phase 3 ensued under the editorship of Irvin S. Wolf at Denison University. 1976 saw it relocated to Kenyon College, and Phase 4 began the 30-year leadership of Charles E. Rice (Wolf, 1976). During all of these periods the journal has been committed to publishing meritorious scientific work from all areas of psychology, with a special affinity for conceptual analyses and philosophic deliberations, consistent with the interests and backgrounds of its founders. Rather than rearticulate the journal's past, I wish to emphasize particular ambitions to which the journal has held fast. The field of psychology, behavioral psychology in particular, is at a pivotal point in its development. By reaffirming its goals, The Psychological Record could occupy a prominent role in the future of our discipline.