The journal publishers (similar to FB et al) are commercial entities designed to make money from desperate academics trying to publish. They thrive on novelty and readership, but also "respect" (rather than ads and "engagement") from not having their occasionally outrageous papers questioned. Sometimes to stoke or avoid scandal and increase readership they might include a debunking paper, but it's important to remember these are not bought by individuals but by departments who won't stock "less respected" journals.
Now, if perhaps there were a respected public psychology paper service like psyarXive at the time that might have made things slightly better.
Now, if perhaps there were a respected public psychology paper service like psyarXive at the time that might have made things slightly better.
https://psyarxiv.com/