54 pages • 1 hour read
Lauren SlaterOpening Skinner’s Box: Great Psychological Experiments of the Twentieth Century
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2004A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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
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 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.