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Try clapping out the syllables for "prism" with its singular vowel. The "m" is sonant, a speech sound that by itself makes a syllable. >

Pri-sm >

Puh-riz-ummmmmmmmm >

Cr-is-ps >

They're grrrr-rrrr-rrrrr-8!!! >

Crisps is one of my favorite words because it sounds like you're trying to get the attention of your friend Chris >

You mean a cat named Chris? >

That's crispsps >

According to a website with "syllablecounter" in the name, it's 1. >

According to the dictionary, it has one.  I will not question that. >

How about strengths, the longest single syllable word in the English language >

In some parts of North America, "squirrel" is pronounced as "skwirl", which means that "squirelled" is slightly longer than "strengths".
In the rest of the world, though, it's two syllables. >

I was taught that a syllables can be counted by the number of times a person opens their mouths when saying it. Acording to this logick it has 1/2 syllables. >

tries to say a P without opening his mouth >

I think it’s actually the s at the end that’s the problem. A “p” is easy to say without opening your mouth. But you literally can’t make an s sound without parting your lips >

I think vowels play a part in syllables. Sense 'crisps' only has one vowel, it has only one syllable. >

Well, that depends on how many people you ask! Some might say it has two syllables, while others might say three. But no matter what the answer is, one thing is for sure - everyone loves a good crisp! >

I'm only hearing one, myself, so I guess there are at least three answers...