7 experiments that prove how little we know about ourselves

Sometimes it seems to us that we know everything about our character and can accurately predict the reaction to any action. In fact, a variety of experiments prove that your psyche is more complex than you think. Here are seven examples of what is hidden in people more than they think.

1. We can push ourselves to do a lot.

In 2000, the artist Marco Evaristti held a performance.

Visitors to the gallery saw ten blenders, each containing a goldfish. Any of the spectators could destroy it by pressing a button.

An hour later, one of the visitors did it.

The electricity went out immediately and the police arrived. The gallery director was charged with animal cruelty and fined.

2. We «fit» reality to our self-image

In 1993, scientists in Ohio put makeup on the faces of several women, depicting large, ugly scars. They were allowed to look at themselves in the mirror and were told that in this form they would meet with strangers. After that, a supposedly protective cream was applied to the faces, but in fact the scars were washed off, without warning the participants in the experiment. After the meeting, many women spoke about being subjected to various forms of discrimination, and were even able to tell exactly what words and actions the interlocutor used to insult them.

Although none of them had visible flaws on their faces (the “scars” had already been removed), this knowledge was enough to make them feel like victims of discrimination.

3. We don’t notice much around us.

In this experiment, the actor approached a pedestrian to get directions. While the passer-by was explaining, workers passed between the interlocutors, who carried the door, shielding them from each other for several seconds. The actor was replaced, and a completely different person turned out to be in front of the passerby — he differed from the first actor in height, clothes, hairstyle, voice. And yet, most people did not notice the substitution.

This is “blindness to change”, it shows how selective our perception is.

Don’t believe? Test yourself — there are two photos here, and there is one difference between them. Try to find it, and once you notice the difference, it will be impossible not to see it.

4. Willpower directly affects our success

The Marshmallow Test experiment was first conducted 40 years ago. How long can a child wait without eating a marshmallow if the researcher promises to bring another in exchange for waiting?

Later it turned out that preschoolers who were able to wait longer were much less likely to have behavior problems, drugs and excess weight in high school compared to children who could not stand even a minute.

Now the scientists have followed up this study with a group of adults now in their 40s. They were shown images on a computer screen and had to complete certain tasks along the way. Those who showed a lack of willpower in childhood, and in adulthood coped with the task worse, as they were distracted by pictures see →

5. There is more cruelty in us than we think.

The basement of Stanford University was equipped as a prison and male volunteers were invited for the experiment.

By lot, student volunteers were divided into two groups of 12 people each — into «guards» and «prisoners». Before that, they were tested for mental stability and health status. All participants from both groups received the same salary.

The experiment was to last 4 weeks.

Prisoners were given prison clothes and assigned numbers, stripping them of their names. The guards were dressed in real uniforms of prison guards, given out batons and glasses that hide their eyes. They had one task: to observe the «prisoners» without the use of force.

On the second day, the prisoners rebelled. To stop the unrest, the wardens used fire extinguishers. Soon, the guards were already forcing their prisoners to sleep naked on concrete, and the ability to use the shower and toilet became a privilege.

Every third guard showed sadistic inclinations and cruelty — they openly mocked the prisoners. One participant went on a hunger strike and was placed in a cramped closet. Other prisoners were told to either give up their blankets for one night or leave the troublemaker in solitary confinement all night. Only one person agreed to give up his blanket.

The experiment had to end in a week instead of the planned four.

Many «guards» regretted the early closure of the experimental prison in the basement of the university.

6. Authority for us is above moral standards

How much suffering are ordinary people willing to inflict on others if it is part of their job duties?

In the Yale University experiment, the “student” had to complete tasks, and the “teacher” had to check and punish him for each mistake with a shock.

Of course, the «apprentice» was only an actor and only pretended to receive a discharge.

The «teacher» went into another room, where there was a generator with levers on which voltage was written — that is, he was aware of the danger of current for the subject.

Starting at 15 V, the “teacher” had to increase the voltage up to 450 V with each new error. When it came to the hardest hit, the experimenter demanded that the “teacher” continue to use the last switch. If the “teacher” had doubts, the experimenter asked him to continue, each time giving stronger and stronger arguments that this was necessary for the experiment. In addition, the “teachers” assured that the “student” would not receive serious injuries.

The results showed that most of the «teachers» (26 out of 40) dutifully continued to use the maximum voltage (450 V) until the researcher gave the order to end the experiment. This showed the complete readiness of normal adults to go to great lengths, following the instructions of authority.

7. Our beliefs prevent us from perceiving reality.

Arthur Ellison, an electrical engineering professor and jokester, decided to end the lecture with a game. He asked a group of volunteers (some of them fellow professors) to focus on an iron flower vase on the table. They had to look at it and try to use their minds to make the vase levitate. They succeeded: the vase soared above the table. Ellison wasn’t surprised — he was helping the vase levitate with an electromagnet.

Then opinions about the causes of this phenomenon were divided.

One participant said he saw some kind of gray substance that helps the vase levitate. Another participant claimed that nothing happened and the vase did not budge.

Both «edited» reality to suit their beliefs and were wrong.