7 experiments that prove how little we know about ourselves

We sometimes think that we know everything about your character and can accurately predict response to any action. In fact, a variety of experiments prove that your mind is more difficult than you think. 7 Here I will show examples of what our nature is more education and in others concealed more than they seem. 

1. We can push themselves to much

In 2000, the artist Marco Evaristti spent performance. Visitors to the gallery to see ten blenders, in each of which goldfish swam. Any member of the audience could destroy it by clicking on a button.

An hour later, one of the visitors did it. Immediately shut off electricity, the police arrived. Gallery director accused of animal cruelty and fined.

2. We will "customize" the reality under our self-image. 

In 1993, researchers from Ohio imposed makeup on the face of several women showing big ugly scars. They were given a look at yourself in the mirror and say that in this way they will be meeting with strangers. After that, the person allegedly struck a barrier cream, and actually washed off the scars, not notifying the participants of the experiment.

After the meeting, many women were told that they had been subjected to various forms of discrimination, and even could accurately be called, what words and actions used interlocutor to insult them.

While no one on the face of no visible flaws ( "scars" have already removed), this knowledge was enough for them to feel themselves the victims of discrimination. 

3. We note that few around him. 

In this experiment, the actor approached the pedestrian to see the road. While a passerby explained, between the interlocutors were workers who carried the door, shielding them from each other for a few seconds. Actor replaced, and in front of passers-by turned out completely different person - he was different from the first actor growth, clothing, haircut, voice. Still, most people do not notice the change.

This "blindness to changes", it shows how our perception selectively. Do not believe me? Check yourself: here are two pictures, and there is one difference between the two. Try to find it, and as soon as you notice the difference, do not see it will not be possible.

4. Will power has a direct impact on our success. 

Experiment "marshmallow test" was first held 40 years ago. It was later revealed that preschoolers who were able to wait longer, much less likely to have behavior problems, drugs and obesity in high school compared to children who do not survive and minutes.

Now, scientists have continued to study with a group of adults who are now over 40. They were shown images on a computer screen, and in the process they had to perform certain tasks. Those who showed a lack of willpower as a child and as an adult coped with worse job, as the distracted by pictures.

Scientists emphasize that the lack of will power does not mean lack of development of intelligence and in some cases denial of pleasure may be the wrong choice. "After all, the people who follow their emotional impulses are great travelers and businessmen", - the author writes Maya Salavits.

5. we have more things brutality than we think.

The basement of Stanford University was equipped as a prison and was invited to experiment, male volunteers. By drawing lots student volunteers were divided into two groups of 12 people - by "guards" and "prisoners". Before that, they were tested for mental stability and health.

All participants in both groups received the same salary. The experiment was to last 4 weeks.

"Prisoners" issued prison clothes and assigned numbers, depriving them of their names. "Guards" put in this form of prison guards, were given sticks and glasses hiding his eyes. They had one task - to monitor the "prisoners" without the use of force.

On the second day of the "prisoners" rebelled. To stop the unrest "guards" used fire extinguishers. Soon the "guards" have made their "prisoners" to sleep naked on the concrete, and the opportunity to use the shower and toilet became a privilege.

Sadism and cruelty showed one in three "guard" - they openly mocked the "prisoners". One participant went on hunger strike, and he was placed in a closet close.

Another "prisoner" to offer or refuse blankets for one night, or leave a troublemaker in "solitary confinement" for the night. I agreed only one person.

The experiment had to finish in a week instead of the planned four. Many of the "guards" were sorry about the early closure of an experimental prison in the basement of the university.

6. Authority to have higher moral standards.

How many are willing to inflict suffering ordinary people to others, if it is part of their job responsibilities?

In an experiment at Yale University "student" I had to perform tasks, and "teacher" - to inspect and punish him for every mistake discharge current. Of course, the "student" was just an actor and only pretended that receives discharge.

"Teacher" went into another room, where there was a generator with levers, on which was written the voltage - that is, he was aware of a current danger to the test. Starting with 15, "teacher" with each new mistake was to increase the voltage up to 450 V. When it came to the strong impact, the experimenter insisted that "teacher" has continued to use the last switch.

If the "teacher" doubt, the experimenter asked him to continue, leading to ever more strong argument that it is necessary for the experiment. In addition, the "teacher" was assured that the "student" does not receive serious injuries.

The results showed that most of the "teachers" (26 of 40) continued to dutifully use the maximum voltage (450 V) as long as the researcher did not give the order to complete the experiment.

It showed full readiness of normal adults to go to great lengths, following the authority.

7. Our beliefs prevent us perceive reality.

Arthur Ellison, a professor of electrical and Sportive, decided to finish the lecture game. He asked a group of volunteers (some of them - his fellow professors) to focus on iron flower vase on the table. They had to look at it and try to force the mind to make a vase levitate. They succeeded: vase soared above the table. Allison was not surprised - he helped vase levitate using an electromagnet.

Then the views on the causes of this phenomenon are divided. One participant said he saw some gray substance that helps vase levitate. Another participant argued that nothing had happened and the vase did not move.

Both "edited the" reality for the sake of their beliefs and wrong.