This kind of mentality is so common, especially among those in positions of power. People who know nothing about a field enter it assuming their expertise from a different domain will easily transfer and allow them to transform it for the better.
Not to confirm a stereotype, but one time I was listening to an economist praise the innovativeness of the work of some senior economist and I asked "How much of that was just taken directly from psychometrics?"
The response was "What's psychometrics?"
Also to add that as much as I make fun of economists, I find the heavy focus on modelling and identification strategies to (generally) be a good thing compared to the level of emphasis given in some other disciplines.
+1 ❤️ biostatisticians.
To be serious, I work at intersection of econ & CS, the only field possibly more imperial, & deal with econs claiming CS work in the area is working on "solved problems." There's a bit of that, but a lot is different disciplinary values & standards about what parts matter.
