Revisiting the Stanford Prison Experiment: A Case Study in Organized Skepticism. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kulig, Teresa C.; Pratt, Travis C.; Cullen, Francis T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of criminal justice education. Volume 28:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 74
• Page End: 111
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Criminal justice, Administration of -- Study and teaching (Internship) -- United States -- Periodicals; Criminology -- United States -- Periodicals; 364.071
• DOI: 10.1080/10511253.2016.1165855
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1051-1253

Abstract

Abstract : Growing evidence exists that the findings of individual studies—including classic experiments—often fail to replicate. Such published results, however, are considered by scholars, and taught to students, as established scientific truth. In this context, citations to Zimbardo and colleagues' classic Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE) in criminology/criminal justice journals (1975–2014) were content analyzed to assess whether the study's conclusions have been embraced or treated with skepticism. The data revealed that scholars were widely accepting of the SPE and, even when voicing concerns, supportive of its message. These results suggest the need to give replications higher priority and for scholars to adhere more closely to the scientific norm of organized skepticism. In the classroom, the continued, uncritical acceptance of the SPE—now more than 40 years old—can serve as an opportunity to teach students about the production and assessment of knowledge within criminology.