Book Review: Opening Skinner's Box Chapter 5 & 6 Summary

Reference:

Slater, Lauren. Opening Skinner's Box : Great Psychological Experiments of the Twentieth Century. New York :W.W. Norton, 2004.

Chapter 5:

As I delved into Chapter 5, I found myself thoroughly engrossed, for it elucidated the very essence of the experiments and their profound purposes, a subject that never fails to captivate my curiosity. One particularly intriguing narrative within this chapter centered around a cult, their fervent belief in an impending flood, and the subsequent revelation that it was all a fabrication. The irony reached its zenith when, post-revelation, the members brazenly claimed credit for halting the fictitious calamity. Such anecdotes offer a fascinating glimpse into the intricate workings of the human psyche, illuminating the lengths to which individuals will go to rationalize their behaviors.

Moreover, the examination of the lie experiment, where individuals were incentivized to deceive for monetary gain, yielded unexpected insights. Contrary to prevailing assumptions, it was the recipients of a mere dollar who proved to be more adept at persuasive falsehoods than their counterparts offered a larger sum. This counterintuitive discovery serves as a testament to the complexity of human behavior and the intricacies of motivation. In retrospect, this chapter stands out as a personal favorite, enriched by the profound revelations it imparts.

Chapter 6:

In traversing the terrain of Chapter 6, I encountered a blend of admiration and disquietude. While the exposition of the experiments left much to be desired in terms of my personal preferences, the insights gleaned from the narrative were undeniably thought-provoking. The spotlight on Harlow, with his enigmatic persona, provided a compelling backdrop against which to contextualize the experiments and their outcomes.

The vignette concerning the monkeys' affection for a comforting blanket juxtaposed with their apprehension towards unfamiliar faces offered a poignant reflection on the nature of attachment and fear. Moreover, the trajectory of the primates' development, from infancy mirroring conventional norms to adulthood marked by distressing aberrations, served as a stark reminder of the intricate interplay between nature and nurture.

Yet, amidst the fascination with the experiments, a sense of moral disquietude lingered. The adverse outcomes, ranging from manifestations of autism to self-harm, cast a somber pall over the narrative. The irony of Harlow's advocacy for surrogate mothers, juxtaposed with the tragic consequences that befell some of his subjects, imbued the chapter with a poignant complexity.

In summation, while this chapter left me grappling with ethical dilemmas, its exploration of the human condition and the consequences of scientific inquiry proved to be both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.