PsySec Research Database

The evidence behind Psychological Security

An open, curated database of 48 studies (1977–2026) and 25 security behaviors, each linked to the evidence for and against it. Free to search, cite, and download.

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Studies

48 peer-reviewed studies and foundational works, each summarized with its key finding, method, and sample.

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Behaviors

12 things people do and 13 things organizations do that PsySec says matter, rated by strength of evidence.

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Methodology

How studies are chosen, how stance and evidence ratings work, and how to submit corrections.

Evidence for and against

We include research that challenges PsySec claims. A database that only agrees with us would be marketing.

Supports 22Mixed 10Challenges 4Foundational 12

Evidence map: principles × findings

Number of studies tagged to each principle, by stance. Select a number to see those studies.

Principle	Supports	Mixed	Challenges	Foundational
P1. Psychographics > Demographics	3	4	1	2
P2. Culture eats compliance for breakfast	12	3	2	5
P3. Feedback, Feedback, Feedback	5	5	3	5
P4. Security is too important to take seriously	1	2	–	–
P5. Stories matter, and they spread	2	–	–	–
P6. Brains are not computers	12	4	1	5
P7. Don't make it easy. Build games.	1	1	–	2
P8. Instincts beat algorithms, every time	5	–	–	3