Lauren Slater
Non-fiction
Difficulty level: easy
In this exciting and page-turning book, Slater takes you through the 10 most interesting and revolutionary psychological experiments of the 20th centuary, starting with B.F. Skinner’s rats in boxes and ending with the founder of lobotomies: Antonio Moniz. Even though it is a non-fiction publication, through the author’s enthralling style of narrative, you could think that the stories had jumped straight out of a fantasy novel. Rather than taking the reader through the dull play-by-play of the experiments, with technicalities like sample size and hypotheses, Slater looks deeper than just the experiment. She interviews many of the psychologists she talks about, or their families for the earlier experiments, gaging you an original view into the research and an unique oppurtunity to discover the mind behind the study. I, personally, particularly enjoyed Slater’s discussion with Skinner’s daughter where she firmly rebukes the common notion of his baby-in-a-box experiment and delivers a new, fresh view on the man behind the rumours.
Not only does this book deliver a more in depth analysis of the experiments, but the author regularly adds in her own personal views and stories that relate to the research, and how the findings of many of the studies resonate with her own life, often reflecting back on her relationship with her child and husband. This is a part of the book that really differentiates itself from other similar ones, as you are transported into the mind of Slater and get to experience her original reactions as she receives more information and other pieces of the stories.
I would highly recommend this book, especially if you are thinking of studying Psychology A level in sixth form. Many of the studies the author explores in the book are on the A level syllabus, and it provides a really useful background and foundation knowledge to have when you come into lessons. If you are already a Psychology student, Slater’s original perspective and storytelling repaints the experiments in a new light, as she ventures into territory not often touched, such as the original psychologist’s personal life and views. And even if you are not at all interested in touching the A level, but have a curiosity in Psychology, Opening Skinner’s Box is an amazing place to start widening your interest and knowledge base.
– Molly Light