This module explores how individuals think, feel, and behave in social situations. The following experiments provide insights into conformity, obedience, group dynamics, and prosocial behavior.

🧍‍♂️ Experiment 1: Asch's Conformity Experiment – The Power of Group Influence (1951 – Solomon Asch) [4:10]

What happened?
Solomon Asch conducted a series of experiments in the 1950s where participants were asked to match line lengths. When confederates in the group intentionally chose incorrect lines, many participants conformed to the group's wrong choice, demonstrating the influence of group pressure.

Why it matters:
Asch's study highlighted the strong impact of social pressure on individual judgments, revealing our tendency to conform to group norms even when they contradict our own senses.

Related Topics: Conformity, Social Influence, Group Dynamics

🎥 Watch:

Source: eqivideos. (2007, December 22). ASCH Conformity Experiment [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYIh4MkcfJA

⚡ Experiment 2: Milgram's Obedience Study – Following Orders (1963 – Stanley Milgram) [5:53]

What happened?
In the 1960s, Stanley Milgram conducted experiments where participants were instructed to administer electric shocks to a learner for incorrect answers. Despite apparent discomfort, a significant number complied with authority figures, delivering what they believed were painful shocks.

Why it matters:
Milgram's findings revealed the extent to which individuals are willing to obey authority, even when it conflicts with personal morals, shedding light on behaviors in hierarchical structures.

Related Topics: Obedience, Authority, Ethical Considerations in Research

🎥 Watch:

Source: PsychED. (2019, September 11). Milgram’s Obedience Experiment [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBDkJ-Nc3Ig

🚔 Experiment 3: The Stanford Prison Experiment – Role and Power Dynamics (1971 – Philip Zimbardo) [34:27]

What happened?
Philip Zimbardo's 1971 study assigned college students to roles of guards and prisoners in a simulated prison environment. The experiment escalated quickly, with guards exhibiting abusive behaviors and prisoners showing signs of distress, leading to its early termination.

Why it matters:
This experiment demonstrated how situational factors and assigned roles can significantly influence behavior, contributing to our understanding of authority, conformity, and deindividuation.

Related Topics: Social Roles, Deindividuation, Ethical Issues in Research

🎥 Watch:

Source: Vsauce. (2018, December 19). The Stanford Prison Experiment [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KND_bBDE8RQ

🚨 Experiment 4: The Bystander Effect – Diffusion of Responsibility (1968 – Latané & Darley) [3:02]

What happened?
Following the 1964 murder of Kitty Genovese, researchers Latané and Darley studied how the presence of others affects the likelihood of helping behavior. Their experiments showed that individuals are less likely to help in emergencies when others are present, due to a diffusion of responsibility.

Why it matters:
Understanding the bystander effect has important implications for promoting prosocial behavior and designing interventions to encourage helping actions in public settings.

Related Topics: Prosocial Behavior, Social Responsibility, Group Influence

🎥 Watch:

Source: MindfulThinks. (2017, March 22). The bystander effect | Why we don’t help other people [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D9Ixv58Qk4

These foundational experiments offer valuable insights into the complexities of social behavior. Reflect on how these studies relate to real-world situations and consider their implications in various contexts, such as organizational behavior, community engagement, and personal interactions.

🌟 Tip for Students: As you explore these experiments, think about how social influences shape individual behavior. Use these studies to deepen your understanding of social psychology and apply these concepts to everyday life.