The Role of Psychological Safety in Human Development

Abstract

The degree to which individuals feel comfortable taking positive interpersonal risks (such as trying something new) is known as psychological safety. When individuals feel psychologically safe, they can exercise their agency to engage in experiences and interactions throughout life. This article describes existing research on psychological safety and situate it in the field of human development. Examples are presented that highlight the ways that individuals and their contexts come together to mutually create moments that may or may not be perceived as psychologically safe. By considering psychological safety’s role in developmental research, we may gain new insights about ways to create contexts that increase the likelihood that individuals feel psychologically safe to engage, learn, and develop.