54 pages 1 hour read

Lauren Slater

Opening Skinner’s Box: Great Psychological Experiments of the Twentieth Century

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2004

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Opening Skinner’s Box: Great Psychological Experiments of the Twentieth Century by Lauren Slater explores ten landmark psychological experiments, from B.F. Skinner’s behaviorism boxes to Harry Harlow’s primate studies. Through biographical details, personal anecdotes, and interviews, Slater humanizes the scientists and examines philosophical questions about human freedom, scientific limits, and truth. Topics of authority, human evil, emotional attachment, addiction, memory malleability, and psychosurgery are detailed in the context of these experiments. Note: The book addresses topics such as human evil, emotional trauma, and psychosurgery.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Opening Skinner's Box by Lauren Slater offers a vibrant exploration of psychological experiments, blending storytelling with academic insights. Praised for making complex topics accessible, it's engaging yet criticized for occasional inaccuracies and subjective interpretations. Balancing narrative flair with educational value, it appeals to both novices and experts alike.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Opening Skinner's Box?

A reader intrigued by the intersection of psychology, history, and human behavior will relish Lauren Slater's Opening Skinner's Box. Similar in appeal to Oliver Sacks' The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers, this book captivates those curious about groundbreaking psychological experiments and their profound impacts.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Themes

Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Genre

Education

Psychology

Philosophy

Topics

Education

Science / Nature

History: World