Introduction
The Zimbardo Prison Experiment, Milgram’s Study on Obedience, the Asch Conformity experiment, and the Elevator Conformity videos are all significant psychological experiments illuminating how people behave in social situations. Psychologists can better understand numerous cognitive processes by studying behavior, including inspiration, sentiment, awareness, and memory. By looking at apparent actions, psychologists can comprehend how people react to external stimuli and how they affect their subconscious thoughts (Cherry, 2022). Therefore, this essay summarizes each video and examines the prospective repercussions of conducting similar research today, considering the effects of societal and demographic diversity.
Summary of the Videos
The Zimbardo’s Prison Experiment
The experiment was carried out in 1971, looking at how people react to the concept of power. Students from college were divided randomly into guards and detainees for the study’s jail simulation. Within days, the guards started acting violently and abusively toward those imprisoned, which caused them to experience emotional turmoil and psychiatric breakdowns. Instead of the anticipated two weeks, the trial was stopped after six days (Vsauce, 2018). According to the findings, situations may affect individuals’ conduct, and if offered excessive authority, regular individuals can swiftly take on cruel duties. The study’s findings did not surprise me because it is generally known that a person’s surroundings and situations can significantly impact their conduct.
The Milgram’s Study on Obedience
This was carried out in 1961 to examine how people comply with directives made by authorities, even when doing so goes against their moral convictions. Respondents in the experiment were instructed to shock another person with electricity if they provided incorrect answers to a series of questions. Over 60% of those who participated imposed the most significant degree of shock despite hearing the other person yelling in pain and wailing for assistance (Major, 2020). According to the study, people will hurt others if they think they are doing so under the direction of a higher authority. The study’s findings startled me because I expected less obedience from the subjects.
The Asch Conformity Experiment
The experiment was carried out in 1951 to look at how peer pressure affects people’s behavior. Subjects in the experiment matched lines on a card to various lengths. Respondents were assigned to a group comprising Confederates who knowingly provided false information. In roughly 37% of trials, participants agreed with the group’s incorrect responses, according to the study (Perspective, 2021). According to the findings, people are sensitive to social pressure and may follow the group’s beliefs even though they are wrong. The study’s findings did not surprise me because adhering to social standards frequently occurs.
The Elevator Conformity Videos
The videos show different tests where people board elevators following social standards. In one Experiment, a group entered the elevator facing the back rather than the doors, and most other passengers did the same. In a different experiment, participants were invited to board an elevator with only one person facing the other way, and most faced the elevator’s backside (Jurchisin, 2018). Studying how cultural conventions are created and upheld in society has ramifications for the findings. The findings of the investigations did not surprise me because they matched what I had previously noticed about social behavior in related circumstances.
Replication of the Findings Today
Due to societal conventions and cultural beliefs alterations, these research conclusions might be different if conducted again today. For instance, there has been a rise in the knowledge of personal liberty and rights, which can cause people to react differently to Milgram’s Study on Obedience. The demographics of the subjects and the conductors, such as gender, age, and race, may potentially affect the results of these investigations (Cherry, 2022). For instance, the Asch Conformity Experiment can provide different results in societies where collectivism is valued more highly than individuality.
Furthermore, Zimbardo’s Prison Experiment might result in distinct findings if the inmates or the security personnel came from different cultural backgrounds because cultural values may affect how people react to power. The demographics of the experimenters could have an impact on the study findings. For instance, if the study investigates the balance of power, the conductor’s gender or ethnicity may impact how subjects react. The position of the conductors may also influence subjects’ attitudes because people often respond differently when interacting with someone, they consider to be more influential.
Real World Examples That Legitimize the Results
The results of the Milgram obedience research, the Asch conformity experiment, the Zimbardo prison experiment, and the elevator conformity videos all have practical applications supporting their findings. Dynamics of power, dehumanization, and deference to authority figures can be causes of police brutality, harsh treatment of prisoners, genocide, or other horrific acts. Even small social cues can persuade people to adhere to social conventions and standards, even when they clash with their preferences. Peer pressure and conformity dynamics can result in unethical behavior, such as harassment in the workplace. This research has significant ramifications for comprehending social behavior in people.
Conclusion
These studies emphasize the significance of comprehending social circumstances, the balance of power, obedience, compliance, and social standards and regulations on general human conduct. The core conclusions drawn from these investigations are still applicable worldwide. They can guide contemporary concerns, for instance, the brutality by law enforcement, genocide, and intimidation, even though cultural and demographic changes may affect the outcomes of reproducing similar studies.
References
Cherry, K. (2022). History and key concepts of behavioral psychology. Verywell Mind. Web.
Jurchisin, S. (2018). Elevator conformity experiment. In YouTube. Web.
Major. (2020). A Study of “obedience to authority” | Milgram (1963). In YouTube. Web.
Perspective. (2021). Asch conformity experiment explained | Line Conformity Study | Solomon Asch. In YouTube. Web.
Vsauce. (2018). The Stanford Prison Experiment [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. Web.