Mapping 60 Years of Psychophysiology: A Bibliometric Analysis of Journal Performance, Authorship Trends, and Thematic Evolution.

Abstract

Psychophysiology, the flagship journal of psychophysiological research, has played a key role in the field for 60 years. For the present study, we conducted a bibliometric analysis assessing the journal's development in terms of performance, authorship trends, and thematic content for this time span. Over the years, Psychophysiology has experienced a consistent increase in manuscript submissions, published articles, and impact factor. Authorship trends showed larger, more diverse author teams, with a growing percentage of female first authors now representing about 50% of submissions and an increase in international collaborations. Thematic content has evolved, shifting from peripheral measures to central nervous system measures like EEG and ERPs while maintaining the journal's long-standing emphasis on methodological advancements. Research topics have expanded from basic stimulus processing to more complex investigations into emotion, cognition, and psychopathology, with growing interdisciplinary integration. This article provides a quantitative overview of Psychophysiology's contributions and development, aimed at offering insights into the journal's past, current state, and potential future directions in psychophysiological research.