Coverage of the Stanford Prison Experiment in Introductory Psychology Courses: A Survey of Introductory Psychology Instructors

The present study examined the coverage of Stanford prison experiment (SPE), including criticisms of the study, in introductory psychology courses through an online survey of introductory psychology instructors (N = 117). Results largely paralleled those of the recently published textbook analyses with ethical issues garnering the most coverage, but other theoretical and methodological criticisms more sparsely covered by instructors. This resemblance was also true in terms of the use of references critical of the SPE including Carnahan and McFarland’s study and the British Broadcasting Corporation prison study, both of which were cited infrequently in textbook content analyses. Results suggest criticisms of the landmark SPE in the classroom are noted with similar frequency as in introductory psychology textbooks.

Source: Teaching of Psychology - March 15, 2016 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Bartels, J. M., Milovich, M. M., Moussier, S. Tags: Faculty Forum Source Type: research