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

Not finished yet with the book, but holy cow, I am loving how the author is describing some of the best psychological studies in the 20th century, and even goes further herself to interview participants and influential figures involved from the aftermath of these experiments. I particularly adored the Rosenhan pseudo-patient chapter and how Slater tried to see, in today's world, if she could be admitted just by replicating what Rosenhan and his participants have done--by claiming to hear a voice of the same gender in her head that is constantly saying "Thud."Love the humor as well and the author's very beautiful, at times flowery, and engaging prose. She drags you in from the first moment and can get you in the first perspective of experiencing these experiments even though they have been done long ago. She did this masterfully with Milgram's experiment on obedience.She delves, as well, into the controversies engendered by these studies and puts an introspective lens on each issue as she tries to excavate answers that are not within a dichotomous boundary of black and white. Looking forward to finishing the book soon. I am loving the journey each chapter brings and it just itches and invigorates my interest in psychology further.Edit: Finished the book, and while my opinion and rating still stands, for the most part, I raised an eyebrow a tad from some of Slater's descriptions, such as with calling Milgram a little Jewish leprechaun, or describing Harry Harlow's wife as going through the "cancer dance." As someone in psychology, though, this is still a great piece of information that summarizes and synthesizes meaning, along with the controversy surrounding it, in some of the most well-known, unethical, and at times immorally stringent experiments in the 20th century. Slater is a tad dramatic in her descriptions, particularly with her prose that can take away from the book at times, but when she does it right, it is particularly poetic.

Slater has quite a way with words, and in this curiosity she weaves quirky personal anecdotes with an engrossing narrative-style essay detailing some of the more controversial and impactful studies in the history of the social sciences. Slater demonstrates some investigative journalistic chops, but never entirely treats the subject with the objectivity an actual journalist would (should) display. Instead we have a perspective from a person with lived experience, professional training, and guild interests...or what the kids are calling a COI.Regardless, Slater makes no imposition that you share her perspectives and instead leads you on an entertaining journey through the backwaters of psychology that many would prefer the world simply forget.Slater's back and forth with the psychiatric establishment in the form of editorial essays published in response to her chapter on Rosenhan, is as worthwhile a read (from both sides) as is this tremendously well-written book.

As a person with an advanced degree in psychology, I expected this to be more technical and difficult to read - especially since my degree was in the 70's. The book is actually written in a very narrative style, and I finished it in two evenings. Held me from the first pace to the last - which is my "book requirement"I had forgotten many of these experiments and was very interesting to review them and their impact on society as well as the background of the experimenters - which are primarily behavorists. Some of the more recent and obscure were also of great interest. I hold little regard for the field of psychology as a science, despite my degree. I realized that is largely because of the era of my degree and that I was in my 20s and pretty unworldly at the time. Kinsey is not one of my favorites, so I was happy he was not included. Most of the research is focused on reactions and learning techniques. I have now given the book to my husband to read - a man who is delightfully not in touch with his feminity! - and he was very very interested. I could have enjoyed it just as well without so much of the author's personal life injected, but she is a product of the "science" of psychology, so from my perspective it worked well to see how someone who might actually take this stuff seriously is drawm - through their own neurosis - to the study of psychology. But it's her study of the experiments AND the experimenters that is the great twist here - and the essential element that makes this a must-read.

I haven't been this entertained by knowledge since the last time I saw Drunk History. Chapter 10 should be online. Thank you, Lauren Slater.

I bought this book fo4 a friend that had some interest in psychology. He loved the book and found it to be a great read!

I am an avid reader of Psychology-related books and have found Slater's book to be top of the line work.Slater presents the material in an informative and interesting fashion. She goes much beyond the dry facts to the underlying meaning of these studies and why each is so important in its own unique way.The sections about Rosenhan's "On Being Sane in Insane Places", Loftus' memory studies, Milgram's obedience studies, and the bystander effect are extremely well written, especially the Rosenhan section.I highly recommend this book.

The content was great. However, periods of long-winded description distract from the heavy content and makes this reader feel as a child being dragged through a department store.

Originally bought for school but thoroughly enjoyed this read

Great book. The author describes some of the most interesting and relevant sociological and psychological experiments. That in itself is good, but the author has a very good writing style, not too scientific, very personal and relevant. She also describes the psychologists who have carried out the experiments, what drove them and how the dealt with the outcomes. the chapters are just long enough to possibly want to know a bit more about it, but not so long it gets boring. Fascinating and great read.

Must read for those who love to tickle those gray cells

I really enjoyed reading this book. It covers 10 psychology studies (including: goon park, skinners box, being sane in insane places, rat park) written in a way that I haven't seen often. Psychology textbooks can often focus too much on statistics and criticisms; even though Slater makes these clear she helps us form a relationship with the psychologist who conducted these studies. She also includes her experiences through recreating some of the studies and by including her personal/ professional relationships with the people in this book.I would recommend this book for anyone who is learning about psychology (especially A level students) or interested, due to it being a very light and enjoyable read that still gets your brain thinking.If you found this book enjoyable and wish to learn more about psychology studies I recommend this book: Forty Studies That Changed Psychology by Roger R. Hock. The writer has similar enthusiasm in his style to that of Slater.

If you have studied psychology at a time when psychology experiments were all the rage, or even since then, you will enjoy this book. It will remind you of key experiments and gives you the chance to find out various things such as: Would that happen today?; What effect did participating in an experiment have?. It is easy to read and each chapter is fairly self contained so you don't have to read the whole book at once.

Really enjoyable read...gave rich background material to some interesting psychological experiments of the twentieth century, covering Harlow, Milgram, Loftus - and more! Would and do recommend to all interested in this topic (any lover of QI books especially ‘QI book of the dead, and Malcom Gladwell - please read - you won’t regret this!)