Microblogs #4 - Opening Skinner's Box

References:
Title: Opening Skinner's Box
Author: Lauren Slater
Venue: 2004

Chapter #1:
Summary:
In this chapter, Slater discusses the controversial work on B.F. Skinner. Skinner's work on the causes of behaviors was beneficial, but also extremely controversial. Slater discusses the man's work and life, and ultimately gives a much different picture of him than the one most people attribute to him.

Discussion:
This chapter was interesting because it illustrates how people can belittle someone whose beliefs are different than theirs. The controversy of his works has made his image look very negative, but when we dig deeper we can see how wrong that image is.


Chapter #2:
Summary:
In this chapter, Slater describes the a controversial experiment made by Stanley Milgram, and how its aftershocks are still felt today. She then talks about the results of the experiment as well as how those results were constantly debated. Finally, she mentions that the largest impact of the experiment might actually be on the people involved.

Discussion:
I found this chapter quite powerful because it made me wonder what I would do in the same situation. Additionally, seeing that the effects of the experiments were decidedly different between a man who was defiant versus one who complied was amazing, especially considering the compliant subject went on to really change his life.


Chapter #3:
Summary:
In this chapter, Slater describes the work of David Rosenhan, who through an experiment in the early 1970s, discredited the field of psychology. She describes how he and his compatriots got themselves admitted to psych wards, and how their success caused psychology to be diminished in status. Finally, she attempts the experiment herself today, and discovers that in some ways, the diagnosis has improved, and in others it still needs work.

Discussion:
I found this chapter interesting mainly because of how psychiatric facilities scare me. I cannot fathom trying to purposely get admitted to one, because I would be afraid of all of the drugs they might prescribe and their effects.


Chapter #4:
Summary:
In this chapter, Slater describes the works of Darley and Latane, who discovered some of the reasoning behind why people do not help in critical situations. They found that the pressures of social etiquette often overrode peoples' compulsions to help, especially in large groups. Slater then gives personal evidence for and against their theories.

Discussion:
I found this chapter interesting mainly because of its juxtaposition with the chapter in The Design of Everyday Things. Both books talk about how the bevy of evidence of normalcy combined with social pressure mean that we don't often don't mention problems until it's too late. Hopefully, like Slater mentions in this chapter, knowledge of this problem will arm me if I am ever in a similar situation.


Chapter #5:
Summary:
In this chapter, Slater discusses the work of Leon Festinger on Cognitive Dissonance. She discusses his theories and experiments and talks to someone who conflicts with that theory. She then mulls over the concepts of rationalization versus revision.

Discussion:
I actually wasn't a huge fan of this chapter. She has been doing a good job showing the balance between the theories we currently have and reality, but her examples are constantly getting more and more depressing. I might have to get a Prozac description if these get much worse.


Chapter #6:
Summary:
In this chapter, Slater describes the work of Harry Harlow and his experiments on primates and love. She goes through his early studies of touch to his later studies on depression. She then talks about the debate between what his experiments accomplished versus their cruelty to the monkeys.

Discussion:
This chapter was interesting because it showed a great debate between how much we can learn through animal testing as well as how awful it is on the animals. To be honest, I am and just as torn as the author is on the subject.


Chapter #7:
Summary:
In this chapter, Slater discusses the experiments of Bruce Alexander, who tried to disprove the chemical theory of addiction. She describes the "perfect" world of Rat Park and how its mice failed to stay addicted to the psychoactive substances they were given. Finally, she describes the ongoing debate between Alexander and others.

Discussion:
This chapter was interesting for a number of reasons. First, as addiction is such a buzzword in society, I found it interesting to hear some of the cases that try to disprove the current theories. Second, I like that Slater picked a less well-known paper for this one. Finally, I found the "perfect world" of the mice interesting because I wonder what we would feel like in such a place.


Chapter #8:
Summary:
In this chapter, Slater describes the work of Elizabeth Loftus, who showed that the memories we have can be modified by suggestion. Slater then describes the social effects of this work, which range from admiration by some and admonishment by others, dependent on whether they have ever had "repressed" memories brought back to the surface.

Discussion:
I found this chapter interesting because I had never heard of the repressed memory phenomenon. The fact that courts were using these shaky memories as sure evidence is shocking, and in a way I am glad that Loftus was there to try to help these people. On the other hand, believing that all memories are malleable would be difficult to live with in a similar way to atheism.


Chapter #8:
Summary:
In this chapter, Slater describes the work of Eric Kandel, who found the processes behind how human memory works. She gives the story behind how he found CREB, the chemical behind human memory, and how they are working today to find a medicine to enhance our memory. She then talks about whether or not it would be a good idea to enhance memory this way.

Discussion:
This chapter was interesting for a lot of reasons. First of all, the story about the guy who lost his long-term memory was sad, but the details behind how his life was afterwards was scientifically intriguing. After that, hearing about the work on medicine to enhance our memory was even better; the fact that they could also make a medicine to blank memory was interesting as well, if a bit scary.


Chapter #9:
Summary:
In this chapter, Slater describes the work of Antonio Moniz, who is the father of lobotomy. She describes his inspiration for the technique, its spread and popularity, and the modern techniques that are based on it today. She then follows the case of a man who has one done on him.

Discussion:
This chapter was interesting because it described the a procedure that seems to be reasonably safe, but one I definitely wouldn't be comfortable with. Having someone go in and cut at your brain doesn't really seem safe or good for you, even though it worked well for the example she gave.