Book Reading #7 (and #10): Microblog for Opening Skinner's Box

Chapter 1
Summary
The first chapter starts with a short account of B. F. Skinner's early years and how be eventually came to be one of the most influential scientists of all time. Devices such as the classic Skinner Box are discussed, including the concepts centric to them, such as timed-interval reinforcement. The author goes on to explain how these ideas were expanded on by Skinner to his own child, and eventually to people.

Discussion
I found the initial introduction at the start of the chapter was the most interesting. To some degree I would already associate a somewhat negative perception by the public with regard to Skinner's work, but while interesting, I feel like the introduction is a bit over-embellished. In spite of this, I still enjoyed the discussion. I carry a lot of views that are very similar to Skinner, such as determinism.

Chapter 2
Summary
In this chapter the author moves on to psychologist Stanley Milgram. As with the first chapter, this chapter starts with what is essentially a short biography. Stanley Milgram is well known for his work on obedience to authority, work that is similar to some of the experiments outlined in the previous chapter by Skinner. In one experiment volunteers were consistently conditioned to the point that they would theoretically kill. This was done by asking them to incrementally apply voltage to a second volunteer when they answered questions wrong in order to shock them. The catch was that the second volunteer wasn't actually wired up, and was really a paid actor. Most people still eventually administered a lethal amount of voltage to the subject.

Discussion
While I'm not certain that the experiment really had much to do with obedience, this chapter was still very interesting. It is not surprising to me that most people have it in them to kill, on a fundamental level I think everyone does when they are applied enough pressure. People are supremely selfish and are most interested in self preservation. With the right conditioning this self preservation instinct can be developed into something much more dangerous. Take for example the Russian scientist mentioned in the first chapter who managed to disassociate salivation in dogs, and then apply the same concept to murder and self preservation.