Brown and Ferguson find mixed accuracy in 2023 psychology textbooks

2 articles · Updated · PsyPost · Apr 24

The study analyzed 18 introductory psychology textbooks published in 2023, comparing them to 16 from 2018, using feedback from 34 professors across the US.
While accuracy improved for topics like video game violence and the Kitty Genovese case, bias increased for subjects such as corporal punishment and brain plasticity, with many textbooks omitting controversial topics entirely.
Researchers warn that these omissions and persistent myths may lead students to learn oversimplified or biased versions of psychological science, highlighting the need for broader institutional efforts to improve textbook accuracy.

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