Reference Information
Title: Opening Skinner's Box: Great Psychological Experiments of the Twentieth Century
Author: Lauren Slater
Editor: W.W Norton & Company, 2008
Chapter 5: Quieting the Mind
Summary
This chapter discussed Festinger's research of cognitive dissonance, the "opposition of irreconcilable ideas" held by one individual and leading to the adjustment of that person's beliefs. The "Sananda cult" is described, and their changing of their beliefs. The author also describes the events of a woman whose daughter is considered a saint, and the author's experiences talking with her.
Discussion
I didn't like this chapter as much as the other ones I've read so far, but it was interesting to read this theory of how people change their beliefs to explain events that occur. This chapter wasn't really about an experiment, more about a researcher's conclusions from observing many people that seem to have experienced similar events and belief changes; therefore, I believe that his conclusions may not be all that accurate.
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