How to Cite Psychological Bulletin in APA Format

Complete guide to citing Psychological Bulletin in APA 7th edition with examples, unique formatting requirements, and common issues specific to this source.

Psychological Bulletin presents unique citation challenges that require specific guidance beyond general source type rules. This page provides targeted help for finding citation information, handling Psychological Bulletin's particular format requirements, and avoiding common mistakes specific to this platform.

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Quick Reference: Psychological Bulletin Citations

Reference List Format:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx

Psychological Bulletin-Specific Notes:
Citing articles from Psychological Bulletin in APA 7th edition largely follows the standard guidelines for journal articles, but there are nuances that students should be aware of to ensure precision. One key aspect is that Psychological Bulletin, being a prestigious journal, often includes articles with numerous authors. According to APA 7th edition, for a work with up to 20 authors, you should list all the authors by their last name and initials. This rule applies uniformly to all journal citations, including those from Psychological Bulletin. However, if there are more than 20 authors, list the first 19 authors followed by an ellipsis, and then the final author's name.

A common point of confusion for students is the proper formatting of the journal title in citations. For Psychological Bulletin, as with other journals, the title should be in italics and title case. The volume number is also italicized, while the issue number, if provided, is not and is placed in parentheses immediately after the volume number. This contrasts with some other sources where such details may not be as prominently formatted. Furthermore, Psychological Bulletin articles often carry substantial weight due to their rigor and impact, so ensuring precise citation is critical for academic credibility.

To avoid common pitfalls, students should double-check author lists and ensure the accurate application of italics and punctuation. When in doubt, consulting the APA Publication Manual or using online citation tools can help verify format accuracy. It's also essential to keep track of updates in citation styles, as Psychological Bulletin and other journals may have specific requirements that evolve over time. By paying attention to these details, students can avoid common mistakes and maintain the integrity of their scholarly work.

In-Text Citation:
- Parenthetical: ([Author], [Year])
- Narrative: [Author] ([Year])

Key Points:
- Use Journal Article format with Psychological Bulletin specifics
- Locate citation info on Psychological Bulletin's website
- Handle Psychological Bulletin's unique formatting requirements

Last Updated: 2025-10-30 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Where to Find Citation Information on Psychological Bulletin

Navigating the Psychological Bulletin's website to locate citation information involves several straightforward steps. Psychological Bulletin, a prominent journal published by the American Psychological Association (APA), provides comprehensive resources for psychological research. Here's how you can find the necessary citation information:

  1. Author Identification: Typically, the author byline can be found at the top of the article's page. When you navigate to an article on the Psychological Bulletin website, look directly beneath the article's title for the list of authors. This section usually displays the author's full name and often includes additional details like their institutional affiliation.

  2. Publication Date: The publication date is generally situated directly below the article's title or near the author byline. This information is crucial for your citation, as it indicates when the research was made available. On the Psychological Bulletin site, ensure you scroll slightly if needed to spot this date, which might be in smaller font than the title.

  3. Article Title: The title of the article is prominently displayed at the top of the page. It's usually in a larger font size and bolded to stand out. The title is the first piece of information you'll encounter after selecting an article from the search results or the journal's issue archive.

  4. URL/Access Information: The URL is essential for providing the access details in your citation. Once you're on the article's page, the URL can be found in your browser's address bar at the top of the screen. Copy this URL directly to ensure accuracy. If you're accessing the article through a library database or a proxy, note that the URL might differ from the direct website link, and you should use the stable or DOI link provided by the database.

  5. Additional Resource Information: Often, the Psychological Bulletin website will have a sidebar or footer containing links to related resources, such as the journal's editorial board or submission guidelines. These can offer additional context or further reading that might be beneficial for your research.

  6. Navigational Tips: Use the search bar located at the top of the Psychological Bulletin homepage to find specific articles by keywords, author names, or topics. Additionally, the journal's archive or recent issues section can help you browse through articles by publication date or volume.

By following these steps, you can efficiently compile the necessary citation information for articles from the Psychological Bulletin, ensuring your academic work adheres to proper APA formatting guidelines.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your Psychological Bulletin Citation

What You Need

Before starting the process of creating a citation for an article in the Psychological Bulletin, ensure you have the following items:

  1. Access to the article you want to cite.
  2. Author names of the article.
  3. Year of publication.
  4. Title of the article.
  5. Title of the journal (in this case, it is Psychological Bulletin).
  6. Volume number and issue number (if applicable).
  7. Page range of the article.
  8. DOI link (Digital Object Identifier) for the article.

Having these details handy will streamline the citation process.

Steps to Create a Psychological Bulletin Citation

Step 1: Identify the Authors

Action: Locate the names of the authors of the article.

Verification: Ensure that you have both the first and last names of each author. If there are two authors, remember to include an ampersand (&) between their names.

Estimated Time: 1-2 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use the article's title page or header to quickly find author names, as they are usually prominently displayed.

Step 2: Find the Publication Year

Action: Check the article for the year it was published.

Verification: Confirm that you have the correct year by looking at the front page or the header of the article.

Estimated Time: 1 minute.

Tip for Efficiency: If you have the article downloaded, you can usually find the publication year in the PDF properties or metadata.

Step 3: Record the Article Title

Action: Write down the title of the article exactly as it appears.

Verification: Make sure to capitalize only the first word of the title and any proper nouns. The title should not be italicized.

Estimated Time: 1-2 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Copy and paste the title directly from the article to avoid typos.

Step 4: Note the Journal Title

Action: Identify the journal's name, which is Psychological Bulletin.

Verification: Ensure the journal title is italicized in your citation.

Estimated Time: Less than 1 minute.

Tip for Efficiency: Always remember that the journal title should be in italics.

Step 5: Find Volume and Issue Numbers

Action: Look for the volume number and issue number in the article.

Verification: The volume number is typically larger than the issue number and is often found on the first page of the article. If there is no issue number, you can skip this part.

Estimated Time: 2-3 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Make sure to note if the volume number is part of a series of issues; this will help you format it correctly.

Step 6: Determine Page Range

Action: Locate the starting and ending pages of the article.

Verification: Ensure you have the correct page numbers as they appear in the journal.

Estimated Time: 1-2 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: The page numbers are usually listed at the top or bottom of the article pages.

Step 7: Find the DOI

Action: Look for the DOI link, which is usually provided in the article or on the journal's website.

Verification: Confirm that the DOI is formatted correctly, starting with "https://doi.org/".

Estimated Time: 2-3 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: If you cannot find the DOI in the article, check the journal's website or use a DOI lookup tool.

Step 8: Assemble Your Citation

Action: Combine all gathered information into the APA citation format.

Verification: Use the following template: Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx. Ensure all elements are correctly placed and formatted.

Estimated Time: 5 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Double-check your citation against the APA style guide for accuracy and consistency.

Example Citation

If we assume you have the following details:

Your final citation would look like this:

Smith, J. A., & Doe, R. B. (2023). Understanding psychological effects. Psychological Bulletin, 149(4), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.1234/abcd.efgh

Following these steps will help you create a

Real Examples from Psychological Bulletin

This section provides authentic citation examples from Psychological Bulletin using recent publications from 2023-2024.

I currently don't have access to external databases or the ability to browse the internet, so I'm unable to retrieve specific articles from the Psychological Bulletin or any other sources beyond my training data. However, I can guide you on how to create APA citations for articles you find, using hypothetical examples based on typical content from the Psychological Bulletin.

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

  1. Scenario Description: A recent article by a single author discussing new theories in cognitive development.
  2. Reference List Citation:
    - Smith, J. L. (2023). New perspectives on cognitive development. Psychological Bulletin, 149(2), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000356
  3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
    - (Smith, 2023)
  4. In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
    - Smith (2023) discusses the implications of new cognitive development theories.
  5. Notes:
    - This example highlights a standard format for a single author, showing how to list the author's initials and surname.

Example 2: Corporate Author

  1. Scenario Description: An article published by the American Psychological Association on trends in psychological research.
  2. Reference List Citation:
    - American Psychological Association. (2023). Emerging trends in psychological research. Psychological Bulletin, 149(3), 200-225. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000357
  3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
    - (American Psychological Association, 2023)
  4. In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
    - According to the American Psychological Association (2023), recent research trends highlight several key areas of growth.
  5. Notes:
    - This example demonstrates how to cite a corporate author, using the full name of the organization.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

  1. Scenario Description: A collaborative study on the effects of social media on adolescent psychology.
  2. Reference List Citation:
    - Johnson, R. T., & Lee, M. K. (2023). Social media and adolescent psychology: A comprehensive review. Psychological Bulletin, 149(4), 300-325. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000358
  3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
    - (Johnson & Lee, 2023)
  4. In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
    - Johnson and Lee (2023) explore the complex relationship between social media use and adolescent psychological development.
  5. Notes:
    - This citation illustrates how to format an article with two authors, ensuring both names are included in the citation.

Example 4: Special Formatting Case

  1. Scenario Description: A meta-analysis on the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders.
  2. Reference List Citation:
    - Thompson, A. R., Gonzalez, H. J., & Patel, S. (2024). Efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 150(1), 50-80. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000359
  3. In-text Citation (Parenthetical Format):
    - (Thompson, Gonzalez, & Patel, 2024)
  4. In-text Citation (Narrative Format):
    - Thompson, Gonzalez, and Patel (2024) present a meta-analysis confirming the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders.
  5. Notes:
    - This example showcases a special formatting case where a meta-analysis is presented, emphasizing the need to include all authors up to 20 before using "et al."

These examples provide a comprehensive guide on creating APA citations for various types of articles from the Psychological Bulletin, reflecting different authorship and content types. For actual articles, please refer to the specific journal or database to obtain the latest publications and ensure accurate citations.

Common Issues When Citing Psychological Bulletin

Problem 1: Identifying Authors

Issue Description:
Students often struggle to correctly identify and list authors when citing articles from the Psychological Bulletin. This problem arises because some articles include multiple authors, and students may be unsure about the correct order or how to handle group authorship.

Why It Happens:
Psychological Bulletin articles often involve collaborative research, leading to multiple authors, sometimes exceeding 20. The confusion is exacerbated when students encounter articles that list organizations or research groups as authors.

Solution:
1. Begin by identifying all individual authors or the group author as listed in the article.
2. List authors in the same order as they appear in the article. This order typically reflects the relative contribution of each author.
3. For more than 20 authors, list the first 19 authors, insert an ellipsis (…), and then add the final author's name.
4. For group authors, use the full name of the organization as it appears in the article.

Before/After Examples:

Problem 2: Date Formats

Issue Description:
Students often misapply date formats when citing articles from Psychological Bulletin, leading to inconsistencies and errors in their reference lists.

Why It Happens:
Psychological Bulletin, like many academic journals, provides the publication year prominently but does not always include the specific month or day, which can lead to confusion about what constitutes the "date."

Solution:
1. Use only the year of publication, as the Psychological Bulletin typically does not require more specific date details unless it is part of an online-first article.
2. Check the article's header or the publication details section to confirm the year.

Before/After Examples:

Problem 3: Handling URLs

Issue Description:
In the digital age, URLs can be a source of confusion, especially given that Psychological Bulletin articles are often accessed online through databases or journal websites.

Why It Happens:
Students may be unsure whether to include a URL and, if so, which URL to use—especially when accessing articles through university libraries or databases that use session-specific links.

Solution:
1. Only include a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) if available. A DOI is preferable to a URL because it provides a permanent link to the document.
2. If a DOI is not available, use the journal's homepage URL instead of a database-specific URL.
3. Ensure the URL or DOI is formatted as a hyperlink starting with "https://".

Before/After Examples:

Problem 4: Access Requirements

Issue Description:
Students might not have full access to all articles from Psychological Bulletin, leading to incomplete citations due to missing information.

Why It Happens:
Access restrictions often occur because students rely on institutional subscriptions, which may not cover all articles. This can also happen if articles are behind a paywall.

Solution:
1. Use institutional access through your university library to gain full access to articles.
2. If access is unavailable, consider using interlibrary loan services or contacting your library for assistance.
3. In cases where only partial information is available, cite what you can, and note that access was limited.

By understanding these common problems and applying the solutions provided, students can accurately and confidently cite Psychological Bulletin articles in their work, adhering to APA 7th edition guidelines.

Note: For general Journal Article citation errors, see How to Cite Journal Article.

Frequently Asked Questions About Psychological Bulletin

Q: How can I find the necessary citation information for articles on the Psychological Bulletin's website?

A: When navigating the Psychological Bulletin's website, click on the article of interest and look for the "Cite" or "Citation Tools" option typically available on the article page. This section often provides the complete APA citation or the necessary details such as authors, title, volume, issue, pages, and DOI.

Q: How should I correctly format authors' names when citing an article from Psychological Bulletin with multiple authors?

A: In APA 7th edition, list up to 20 authors by their last name followed by initials. For articles in the Psychological Bulletin with multiple authors, ensure you separate each author's name with a comma and use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name, e.g., Smith, J. A., & Brown, P. R.

Q: What is the correct approach to citing articles from Psychological Bulletin that use a different format for publication dates?

A: Psychological Bulletin articles typically follow the standard APA format of using the year of publication. If an article includes a more specific date, such as month or season, include it in the citation, e.g., (2023, March) or (2023, Spring).

Q: Are there specific URL or access requirements for citing sources from the Psychological Bulletin?

A: When citing an article from the Psychological Bulletin, include the DOI if available, as it provides a permanent link to the document. If no DOI is available, use the URL of the journal's homepage, ensuring it leads directly to the source for easy access.

Q: How does citing an article from Psychological Bulletin differ from other journal articles in APA format?

A: While the general APA format for journal articles applies, Psychological Bulletin is a well-regarded journal with consistent citation elements such as DOI accessibility. Pay close attention to the inclusion of supplemental materials or special sections that may require additional citation elements specific to the article.

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