Theories did not develop psychology on their own. It proceeded to make bold experiments which challenged human behavior, authority, memory and morality. Certain studies were scandalous. Others were surprisingly unsophisticated. Nevertheless, they both made a long-lasting impression on the way we perceive ourselves and society. Through these experiments, classroom, workplaces, and even parenting style were influenced as well as the policy of the masses. They demonstrated how readily we follow along, how obedient we can be and how much environment has an influence on identity. Although contemporary ethics norms are even more stringent nowadays, the teachings are still strong. These are eleven psychological experiments that still have implications on research, argumentation, and common thought worldwide.
Stanford Prison Experiment
This study was conducted by Philip Zimbardo in 1971, during which the students were assigned the roles of guards or prisoners. The simulation soon went out of control with the participants taking extreme roles. It demonstrated how power, control and the surrounding can have great impact on behaviors in average human beings.
Milgram Obedience Study
Stanley Milgram experimented on obedience to authority in the 1960s. The participants were under the impression that they were inflicting electric shocks on other people. A number of them followed the order. The results revealed how social pressure takes precedence over individual conscience and moral indecisiveness.
Little Albert Experiment
Conditioned fear was exhibited by behaviourist, John B. Watson who matched a loud noise with a white rat. The child started being afraid of the rat and other similar things as well. It demonstrated the effect of emotional response association in learning processes.
Asch Conformity Experiments
In groups, participants were required to match the line length with psychologist Solomon Asch. Most of them provided wrong responses to conform to others. The experiment put into focus the pressure on the groups to influence vivid judgment and independent thinking.
Pavlov’s Classical Conditioning
The notion of conditioned reactions was postulated by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov when he was examining canine digestion. Salivation was caused by a bell together with food. His discoveries provided the basis of learning about the effects of association in animals and human beings.
Bobo Doll Experiment
In 1961, Albert Bandura saw the children repeat violent actions of adults against a doll. Children were duplicating the behavior they saw. The study indicated the high effects of observational learning in behavioral shaping.
The Marshmallow Test
Children were provided with one marshmallow at once or two in case they waited with Walter Mischel leading them. Individuals who were able to withstand short-term temptation tended to achieve higher results in the long term. The research related self-control to success and decision-making in the future.
The Hawthorne Effect Study
Studies carried out at the Western Electric Company Hawthorne Works revealed high productivity when the workers were observed. The findings were an indicator that attention could affect performance, rather than physical conditions of working.
Robbers Cave Experiment
Muzafar Sherif, a psychologist, experimented on group conflict at a summer camp. Hostility was developed rapidly between rival teams. Collaboration became better with the introduction of common interests. The paper presented the way in which competition and collaboration determine social processes.
Harlow’s Monkey Experiments
Harry Harlow studied the concept of attachment by means of providing infant monkeys with cloth and wire surrogate mothers. The monkeys did not like to be comfortable with just food. His studies put a lot of weight on emotional attachment.
Cognitive Dissonance Experiment
Leon Festinger discussed the contradictory beliefs justification by people in 1959. Respondents were offered a little token to later adjust their attitudes. It found out the way the mind seeks congruence in the activities and the beliefs.
