Description
Discover the captivating world of behavioral science with 'The Celluloid Specimen' by Benjamín Schultz-Figueroa. This groundbreaking book delves into the rarely seen behaviorist films that showcase animal experiments from the 1930s and 1940s. Published in 2023 by University of California Press, this engaging text provides an insightful analysis of historical recordings, including Robert Yerkes's innovative studies on North American primate colonies and Yale University's rat-based simulations that explore human societal structures. Schultz-Figueroa sheds light on how B. F. Skinner's experimental promotions for pigeon-guided missiles contributed to our understanding of behaviorism. These visual documents, once thought to merely depict scientific research, are unveiled here as significant cultural and political artifacts that shaped American scientific and cultural history. 'The Celluloid Specimen' offers a unique perspective on how these films relate to ongoing discussions about species, race, identity, and society today. Ideal for students, scholars, and anyone passionate about the intersections of science, film, and history, this book is a must-read. Explore this essential addition to your library and understand the aesthetics of animal experimentation like never before.