If you’re interested in the field of psychology, particularly the historical and evolutionary aspect of it, then you’ve probably heard of the book "Forty Studies that Changed Psychology" by Roger R. Hock. This book is now on its 7th edition, and it’s still as relevant and important as it was when it was first published.
This book provides readers with an overview of some of the most important and influential studies that have shaped the field of psychology throughout history. These studies are arranged systematically, featuring a broad range of topics that include human development, memory, perception, learning, social interactions, and neurological disorders, among many others.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the notable studies included in the 7th edition of Forty Studies that Changed Psychology. Let’s dive right in.
Pavlov’s Dogs (1927)
One of the most popular experiments in psychology is Pavlov’s Dogs. Ivan Pavlov was a Russian physiologist who discovered the concept of classical conditioning by studying the digestive system of dogs. Pavlov observed that dogs salivated when they saw food. He then rang a bell before giving the dogs food and found that eventually, the sound of the bell alone would cause the dogs to salivate. This experiment laid the foundation for the study of behaviorism.
The Stanford Prison Experiment (1971)
The Stanford Prison Experiment was a study conducted by psychologist Philip Zimbardo in 1971. The study aimed to investigate how individuals conform to social roles and how arbitrary power given to one group affects behavior. The experiment involved a simulated prison environment where people were randomly assigned the roles of prisoners or guards. The study had to be discontinued after only six days, as the guards became abusive, and the prisoners suffered mental breakdowns.
The Milgram Experiment (1963)
The Milgram Experiment was another infamous study that revealed the power of authority and obedience. The experiment, conducted by Stanley Milgram, tested how far people were willing to go when ordered to inflict harm on others by authority figures. Participants were instructed to deliver electric shocks to someone in another room when they answered a question wrongly. The experiment showed that people would inflict severe harm on others when ordered to by an authority figure.
The Stroop Effect (1935)
The Stroop Effect is a phenomenon where reading words causes interference when the color of the ink is different from the word itself. John Ridley Stroop conducted this study to show how automatic processing could interfere with deliberate processing. This experiment is vital in understanding the mechanisms of attention, language processing, and automaticity.
Conclusion
The Forty Studies that Changed Psychology 7th edition is a must-read for anyone interested in psychology. The book’s incredible insights have had a profound impact on the field of psychology and continue to shape it to this day. The studies discussed in this article are just a few of the many compelling experiments covered in the book. If you want to learn more, grab a copy of Forty Studies that Changed Psychology and get ready to dive into the fascinating world of psychology.
