Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Opening Skinner's Box is a thought-provoking exploration of 10 psychological experiments that deeply impacted our understanding of the human mind, revealing the sometimes unsettling and controversial nature of scientific research.
In Opening Skinner's Box by Lauren Slater, the book starts by presenting ten of the most influential and controversial experiments in the history of psychology, starting with B.F. Skinner's creation of the "Skinner Box". This box was used to examine his theory of operant conditioning in rats and later in his own daughter, leading to significant moral and ethical debates.
Following Skinner, Slater delves into Stanley Milgram's obedience studies which revealed unsettling truths about human's willingness to comply with authority even when it harms others. This experiment provoked widespread outrage and resulted in stricter ethical regulations for psychological research.
Focusing next on the subject of memory, Slater reframes psychologist Elizabeth Loftus's work on the malleability of memory. Loftus's experiments revealed that memories can be easily manipulated, inviting legal and ethical issues concerning the reliability of eyewitness testimonies. She also investigates David Rosenhan's experiment, where 'sane' individuals feigned auditory hallucinations to gain admission to psychiatric hospitals. The experiment, demonstrating the difficulties in distinguishing the sane from the insane, was a damning indictment of psychiatry's diagnostic abilities during the time.
Slater then turns to the fascinating study of how perception affects cognition through Darley and Latane's bystander apathy experiment. This study, inspired by the murder of Kitty Genovese, examined the influence of others on individual's decision to intervene in an emergency situation, unveiling the 'bystander effect'.
Moving to human relationships, the author discusses Harry Harlow's now unthinkably cruel experiments using rhesus monkeys to illustrate the importance of care and affection in early development. Traumatically, the monkeys raised by wire surrogate mothers became emotionally disturbed, demonstrating the necessity of nurturing emotional connections in early relationships.
Finally, she covers psychologist Martin Seligman's work on 'learned helplessness', a theory he developed observing the behaviour of dogs that didn't try to avoid shocks if their earlier attempts proved futile. This landmark study led to the basis of Seligman's later work on depression, even leading him towards developing positive psychology focusing on human happiness.
Throughout Opening Skinner's Box, Slater parallels these experimental narratives with personal anecdotes, and interviews with the psychologists or their subjects where possible. This approach adds poignancy and a relatable aspect to the detailed descriptions of these critical experiments and their impacts on the field of psychology.
In conclusion, while Slater's exploration can be seen as challenging the rigidity of psychological studies, she manages to beautifully outline the field as an evolving science. Opening Skinner's Box voices important questions about the ethical boundaries of scientific exploitation of human tension points – pain, memory, conformity, love, and optimism. Through her captivating investigative journey, Slater reaffirms psychology's commitment to unravel the complexities of human cognition and behaviour, its twisting path marred and marked by its audacious past.
In "Opening Skinner's Box," Lauren Slater explores the controversial world of psychology through a series of thought-provoking experiments. Drawing on the work of B.F. Skinner and other influential psychologists, Slater delves into the ethical and moral implications of their research, challenging our understanding of human behavior and the nature of free will. This captivating book offers a unique perspective on the field of psychology and its impact on society.
Opening Skinner's Box (2004) takes readers on a thought-provoking journey into the world of psychology and the experiments that shaped our understanding of human behavior. Here's why this book is worth reading:
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get startedBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What is the main message of Opening Skinner's Box?
The main message of Opening Skinner's Box is that our behavior is influenced by a variety of factors and cannot be simplified to a single explanation.
How long does it take to read Opening Skinner's Box?
The reading time for Opening Skinner's Box varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Opening Skinner's Box a good book? Is it worth reading?
Opening Skinner's Box is a thought-provoking book that offers insights into the field of psychology. It is worth reading for those interested in understanding human behavior.
Who is the author of Opening Skinner's Box?
The author of Opening Skinner's Box is Lauren Slater.