Debating the psychology of tyranny: Fundamental issues of theory, perspective and science

Authors: Haslam, S. Alexander¹; Reicher, Stephen²

Source: British Journal of Social Psychology, Volume 45, Number 1, March 2006 , pp. 55-63(9)

Publisher: British Psychological Society

Key:

- Free Content

- New Content

- Subscribed Content

- Free Trial Content

Abstract:

In our rejoinder, we concentrate on responding to Zimbardo's criticisms. These criticisms involve three broad strategies. The first is to turn broad discussion about the psychology of tyranny into narrow questions about the replication of prison conditions. The second is to confuse our scientific analysis with the television programmes of `The Experiment'. The third is to make unsupported and unwarranted attacks on our integrity. All three lines of attack are flawed and distract from the important theoretical challenge of understanding when people act to reproduce social inequalities and when they act to challenge them. This is the challenge that Turner identifies and engages with in his commentary.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1348/014466605X80686

Affiliations: 1: University of Exeter, UK 2: University of St. Andrews, UK

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$24.40 plus tax Refund Policy