Universe 25: An Experiment With Disturbing Results

  Although Universe 25 might sound like the title of a science fiction novel, it’s actually the name of one of the most important experiments in social psychology. In 1968, the ethologist and biologist John Calhoun built a utopian scenario with mice, to discover the effects of overpopulation. However, five years later, the metropolis was devastated. What happened during this period demonstrated that the effects of progressive overcrowding can be extremely harmful at all levels. Although conclusions with animal models can’t always be extrapolated to humans, they do often offer thought-provoking references. So, let’s find out about Universe 25, an…