Intro Psych Textbooks Keep Misleading About Famous Experiments
A Journal of General Psychology study finds introductory psychology textbooks still misrepresent key findings and repeat myths about famous experiments (like the Stanford prison study, Kitty Genovese, and Little Albert) and controversial debates. Analyses of 2018 and 2023 editions show mixed improvements but persistent bias and, increasingly, omission of problematic topics. The research highlights that students may learn oversimplified or biased views of psychological science and calls for broader APA-driven scrutiny and more nuanced teaching of the evolving nature of science.
