10 most brutal psychological experiments

Psychology became popular in the early twentieth century. Many are attracted by its very purpose - to learn more about the intricacies of human behavior, emotional state and perception. But, unfortunately, the methods of achieving this goal was not always humane. Some psychiatrists and psychologists conducted on animals and humans cruel experiments. Some of these experiments.

Educating boys as girls (1965-2004)

In 1965, an 8-month-old boy, Bruce Raymer circumcised on the advice of doctors. But the surgeon who performed the operation, made a mistake, and the boy's penis is completely damaged. The child's parents approached with the problem to the psychologist John Money of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore (USA). He advised them to "simple", according to him, way out - to change the sex of the child and further educate him as a girl.

This was done. Soon Bruce became Brenda and poor parents did not even guess that their child was the victim of a very cruel experiment. Psychologist John Money was looking for an opportunity to prove that the sex of a person is not due to the nature and upbringing, therefore Bruce became a suitable object for such monitoring.

Bruce removed the testicles, and then Dr. Mani several years in scientific journals published reports "successful" development of its experimental. He argued that the child behaves like an active little girl and that her behavior is very different from men's inherent her twin brother. But their homes, and teachers at the school watched the baby boy's typical behavior.

In addition, parents who hide from the son-daughter brutal truth themselves have a very strong emotional stress, which resulted in the mother appeared suicidal tendencies, and the father began to drink heavily.

At that time, Bruce, Brenda has become a teenager, he started giving estrogen to activate the growth of the breasts. Soon Dr. Mani insisted on another operation, which resulted in Brenda had to create and female sex organs. But then Bruce-Brand rebelled and refused to do the operation. Then the boy and had stopped coming to the reception to Mani.

Life Bruce was crippled. One by one he made three suicide attempts, the last of which ended in coma. But Bruce recovered and began the struggle for the return to a normal human life. He took monastic vows and began wearing men's clothes and changed his name to David.

In 1997, he had to endure a series of operations to regain physical gender. Soon he even married a woman and adopted her three children. But the happy ending never happened: after a divorce with his wife in May of 2004, David Reimer committed suicide. At that time he was 38 years old.

"The source of despair" (1960)

Dr. Harry Harlow conducted cruel experiments on monkeys. He explored the question of social exclusion of the individual and the methods of protection against it. Harlow took away baby monkeys from mother and put him in a cage alone. And he chose those children who have a mother was the most strong relationship.

Monkey whole year sitting in a cage, and then let her go. Subsequently, it was discovered that the majority of individuals exhibit various mental disorders. CONCLUSION: Even a happy childhood is not the prevention of depression. However, for such a simple conclusion can be come without cruel experiments. By the way, the movement for the rights of animals has begun after the publicity of the results of this study wrong.

Milgrema Experiment (1974)

In the experiment attended by the experimenter, subject and the actor who played the role of the other experimental. Before starting the experiment, "the draw" between the experimental and the actor were distributed as a "teacher" and "student". In fact, experimental always got the role of "teacher" and the actor who hires, has always been a "disciple."

Before starting the experiment, "teachers" have explained that the main purpose of the experience - discover new methods of information storage, and actually the experimenter studied the behavior of the person receiving guidance from a reputable source that differ from his own understanding of ethics.

The experience took place as follows: "student" was tied to a chair with a stun. "Apprentice" and "teacher" received the general "demonstration" shock of 45 volts. Then the "teacher" went into another room and there was supposed to give the "student" for voice communication simple tasks on memorization. For every mistake, "student" got an electric shock of 45 volts. In fact the actor only pretending that receives blows. Shortly after each error "teacher" had to increase the voltage to 15 volts.

As planned, at some point, the actor began to demand to stop the experiment. At this time, the "teacher" was tormented by doubt, but surely the experimenter said, "The experiment requires continued. Continue, please. " As the voltage actor showed all the big meal. Then he howled and broke to cry.

The experiment was continued until a voltage of 450 volts. If the "teacher" was beginning to doubt the experimenter assured him that all responsibility for the results of the experiment and safety for the "student", he completely takes over.

The results were shocking: 65% of the "teachers" gave discharge 450 volts, knowing that "disciple" feels terrible pain. Most experimental obey the instructions of the experimenter and punished "disciple" electroshock. Interestingly, of the 40 experimental none stopped at 300 volts, only five of them refused to obey after this level, and 26 "teachers" of 40 reached the end of the scale.

Critics said that the test "hypnotized" the authority of Yale University. In response, Dr. Milgram repeated experience by renting a room in the unsightly town of Bridgeport (Connecticut) under the guise of 'Research Association of Bridgeport. " The results have not changed: 48% of the test agreed to go to the end of the scale. In 2002, the overall results of these experiments showed that by the end of the income scale 61-66% "teachers", and it does not depend on the time and place of the experiment.

The conclusion was terrible: a person does have a dark side of nature, which tends not only to blindly obey authority and do unimaginable directions, but also finds its justification in the form of receiving the order. Many participants in the experiment by pressing experienced domination "disciple" and were sure that he gets his due.

Learned helplessness (1966)

The psychologists Mark Seligman and Steve Maier in his practice conducted a series of experiments on dogs. Animals were pre-separated into three groups, and then placed in cages. The control group was soon released without causing her any harm, a second group of dogs subjected to repeated electric shocks, which could be stopped by pressing the lever on the inside, and the animals of the third group of less fortunate: they were subjected to a sudden shock current, that it was impossible to stop.

As a result, dogs develop "learned helplessness" - a reaction to the unpleasant stimuli. The animals appeared conviction of helplessness in the outside world, and soon had the unfortunate animals began to appear signs of clinical depression.

After a while the dogs from the third group was released from the cell and placed in open-air cages, from which you can easily escape. Then again dogs were exposed to an electric current, but none of them ran away. Animals just passively respond to pain, seeing it as inevitable. From previous experience of the dog firmly we learned that escape is impossible for them, so do not attempt to free himself undertook.

The results of this experiment, scientists have suggested that the human reaction to stress like a dog, people also become helpless after several setbacks, going one by one. That only cost you a predictable and banal conclusion cruel suffering
poor animals ?!

Albert Kid (1920)

Doctor of psychology John Watson did research nature of the various phobias. The scientist decided to test the possibility of forming a reaction of fear of a white rat in 9-month-orphan boy Albert, who had been afraid of rats, and even liked to play with them.

Within two months, Albert showed a manual white rat, cotton wool, mask Santa Claus beard, white rabbit, etc. Two months later, a boy seated on a mat and allowed to play with a rat. Initially, the child does not feel any fear and play safely. But then Watson behind the child began to beat iron hammer on a metal plate every time the boy touched the rat. It was noticeable that after repeating beats Albert began to avoid contact with the rat. A week later, the experience was repeated - this time hit on the plate five times when you run a rat in the crib. Seeing a rat, the child began to cry.

Several days later, Watson decided to check whether the child is fearful of similar objects. In the end it turned out that the boy was afraid of the white rabbit wool mask Santa Claus, although these items show the scientist is no longer any sound uttered. Watson concluded transfer reactions of fear. Scientists have suggested that most of the fears, dislikes and anxieties of adults actually formed back in the deep childhood. Alas, Watson did not manage to rob Albert acquired phobia: it entrenched in his life.

Experiments Landis (1924)

Karin Landis of the University of Minnesota in 1924 he began the study of human facial expressions. The purpose of his experiment - find general patterns of work groups of facial muscles, which are responsible for the expression of certain emotional states, namely to find a facial expression which is typical of the fear, confusion and other similar emotions.

The test subjects he identified his students. Scientific painted on the faces of his subjects cork line with soot to make them more expressive facial expressions. After that Landis showed them something that might cause strong emotions of young people forced to smell ammonia, listen to jazz, to watch pornographic movies and put their hands in a bucket of frogs. At a time when the faces of the students appeared emotions scientist photographed them.

The last test that Landis had prepared for my students just angered many scientists and psychologists. Landis ordered to cut off the head of each experimental rat. Initially, all study participants categorically refused to do it, many even cried and cried, but eventually most of them agreed to the same. Many of the study participants in the life of even the flies do not hurt and no idea how to execute such an order.

As a result, the animals have caused a lot of suffering, and its purpose experiment under: no pattern in facial expression to detect the scientists did not succeed, but psychologists have received proof that people can easily submit to the authority, and even do that in real life never committed I am.

Investigation of the effect of drugs on the body (1969)

One of the experiments was designed to help scientists understand the rate and extent of human addiction to various drugs. The experience began conducting in rats and monkeys, because these animals are physiologically more similar to humans.

The experience took place so that the poor animals trained to self-inject the dose of certain drugs: cocaine, morphine, codeine, amphetamine, etc. Once the animals were able to "shoot up" on their own, experimenters began their observation.

Under the strong influence of drugs, animals are maimed and not feel pain. Monkeys who took cocaine, began to suffer from convulsions and hallucinations: the poor animal tore itself phalanges. Monkeys, "drink" amphetamine, pulled himself out of all wool. Animals that were exposed to cocaine and morphine, within 2 weeks after initiation of drug deaths die.

Stanford Prison Experiment (1971)

This experiment with so-called "artificial prison," and at first did not think something unethical or harmful to the psyche of participants, but the results of a study just hit the public.

Psychologist Philip Zimbardo set a goal to study the behavior and social norms of the people who were in unusual conditions for them in prison where they are forced to play the role of prisoner and / or supervisor.

For this experiment in the basement of the Faculty of Psychology have created a very realistic simulation of the prison, and student volunteers (there were 24) were divided into "prisoners" and "guards". It was assumed that the "prisoners" would be placed in a situation in which the personal will experience disorientation and degradation, up to complete depersonalization and "guards" did not receive any special instructions for their roles.

At first, the students had no idea how they should play their role, but the second day of the experiment put everything in its place: an uprising "prisoners" were brutally suppressed "overseers." That is the behavior of both sides has changed dramatically. "Overseers" has developed a special system of privileges, designed to separate the "prisoners" and to sow distrust among them to each other - to make them weaker, because individually they are not as strong as together.

As a result, the system control tightened so that the "prisoners" are not left alone, even in the toilet. They began to appear emotional distress, depression, helplessness. When the "prisoners" were asked the question, what are their names, many of them called their number. And the question of how they intend to get out of jail, just put them in a dead end.

As it turned out, "prisoners" so got used to their roles, they began to feel like prisoners of this jail, and the students who got the role of "supervisors", to experience the real sadistic emotions and intentions with respect to the people who a few days ago had been good for them friends. Both sides seemed to completely forget that this is only an experiment.

This experience has been scheduled for two weeks, but it stopped prematurely - for ethical reasons.

The "Aversi" (1970)

This is not an experiment, and the actual events that took place in the army of South Africa from 1970 to 1989-th year. There was carried out a secret program of cleaning the military ranks of soldiers gay. While used violent means: elektroshkom and treatment, and chemical castration.

The exact number of victims is still unknown, but the army doctors were told that during the "cleansing" of about 1,000 people aged 16-24 were subjected to a prohibited experiments on human nature.

On behalf of the command of the army psychiatrists vengeance "eradicated" homosexuals: sent to the shock therapy, forced to take hormones, and even do a sex change operation.

"Disastrous experiment" (1939)

Wendell Johnson at the University of Iowa (USA) and his graduate student Mary Tudor in 1939 had a shocking experiment involving 22 orphans from Davenport.

Children were split into two groups: control and experimental. One half of the experimental solid that their speech is impeccable and we strongly derided the other children, they are taught that they - stutterer.

As a result, many children of the second group, that have not had any problems with speech, stuttering has developed, and it has been preserved for a lifetime. This experiment, which was later called monstrous, very long concealed from the public for fear of damaging the reputation of Johnson. But later, similar experiments were carried out even on prisoners of concentration camps in Nazi Germany.

In 2001, the University of Iowa has officially apologized to all the victims of the experiment. But whether it was from that much easier?