10 Psychological Experiments You Would Never Believe Happened

Summary

This video explores ten groundbreaking psychological experiments that reveal profound insights into human behavior. From the Asch conformity test highlighting the power of social influence to the Stanford Prison Experiment uncovering the dark side of authority, each experiment provides a unique perspective on how we conform, obey, and react under various social pressures and conditions. These studies, ranging from the marshmallow test on self-control to Dr. Cameron's controversial 'beneficial brainwashing,' challenge our understanding of human nature and the impact of external factors on our actions.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The Asch conformity test revealed that people tend to conform to group opinions even when they are clearly wrong, with 37 out of 50 subjects choosing the incorrect answer.
• 🍭 The marshmallow experiment by Walter Mischel demonstrated that children who could delay gratification by waiting for a second marshmallow had higher success rates in adulthood.
• 🍻 Carlsberg's social experiment showed that people are creatures of habit and fearful of the unknown, as observed when couples faced a room full of bikers at a cinema.
• 🏕 The Robbers Cave experiment illustrated how competition and conflict between groups can be resolved through cooperation when faced with a common challenge.
• 🦍 The ape and child experiment by Winthrop Kellogg suggested that human children can learn animal behaviors, highlighting the importance of environmental influences on development.
• 🧠 Dr. Cameron's 'beneficial brainwashing' or 'psychic driving' aimed to reprogram the brain for health by forcing new patterns of thinking, but was deemed unethical.
• 👁️‍🗨️ Jane Elliott's class divided experiment taught students about the harmful effects of racism and discrimination by assigning superiority based on eye color.
• 🗣️ The Monster Study by Wendell Johnson showed the detrimental effects of negative reinforcement and the benefits of positive therapy on speech impediments.
• ⚡️ The Milgram experiment revealed the extent to which people will obey authority figures, even to the point of causing harm to others.
• 🏫 The Stanford Prison Experiment conducted by Dr. Philip Zimbardo demonstrated how quickly people can adopt abusive roles when given power in a simulated prison environment.

Q & A

What was the main finding of the Asch conformity test?

The Asch conformity test showed that a significant number of people are willing to conform to a group's opinion even when it is clearly wrong, demonstrating a human tendency to go along with the majority.

What did the marshmallow experiment by Walter Mischel indicate about patience and future success?

The marshmallow experiment indicated that children who were able to wait longer before eating a marshmallow tended to have higher success rates in adulthood, suggesting that patience and delayed gratification are correlated with future achievements.

How did the Carlsberg social experiment demonstrate human behavior in unfamiliar situations?

The Carlsberg social experiment showed that people are creatures of habit and fearful when approaching the unknown, as many couples were daunted by a crowd of bikers in a cinema and only a few dared to claim their seats, which was met with applause and rewards.

What was the purpose of the Robbers Cave experiment, and what did it reveal about group dynamics?

The Robbers Cave experiment aimed to see how different groups work together to solve conflicts. It revealed that adversity and combined suffering can bring even the most hostile groups together, demonstrating the human psyche's ability to cooperate under common challenges.

What was the 'Ape and the Child' experiment, and what did it attempt to prove?

The 'Ape and the Child' experiment was an attempt to see if an ape could be taught human behaviors and communication. It aimed to prove that animals could learn civilized ways of mankind, but it also showed that human children could easily emulate animal behaviors.

What was Dr. Cameron's approach to treating schizophrenia, and what was it called?

Dr. Cameron's approach to treating schizophrenia involved forcing patients to listen to recorded audio messages on a loop, which he called 'psychic driving.' He believed this could reprogram the brain to be healthier.

What was the main takeaway from Jane Elliott's class divided experiment regarding racism and self-perception?

The main takeaway from Jane Elliott's class divided experiment was that the perception of others plays a significant role in self-development. When children were labeled as inferior, their academic performance suffered, and when they were labeled as superior, they performed better.

What was the 'Monster Study' and why was it considered unethical?

The 'Monster Study' was an experiment where orphans with speech impediments were either constantly belittled or given positive therapy. It was considered unethical because the negative reinforcement group was subjected to harmful psychological abuse, leading to lifelong damages.

What was the Milgram experiment, and what did it reveal about obedience to authority?

The Milgram experiment was a series of studies that tested the obedience to authority by asking participants to administer shocks to a volunteer when they answered questions incorrectly. It revealed that people are willing to obey authority figures even when their actions are morally questionable.

What were the key findings of the Stanford Prison Experiment, and why was it terminated early?

The Stanford Prison Experiment showed that normal people can engage in abusive behavior when given power and authority. The guards became sadistic, and the prisoners lost their sense of self. The experiment was terminated early due to the disturbing and unethical nature of the abuse that occurred.