Psychological Experiments

In groups of 2 or 3 discuss and write down ideas about the following topics:

1) Analysis of Derren Brown Experiment

What conclusions could you draw from the Derren Brown experiment?

In terms of a scientific experiment, did it have any flaws or anything which would invalidate the findings?

What are some of the differences between the way we behave as individuals or when we are in groups?

Internet Research

2) What do you think these psychological terms refer to? Try to write your own definition for each one.

• Herd behaviour
• The bystander effect
• Experimenter bias
• The bandwagon effect
• Mean world syndrome
• Sheeple

3) Research ONE of the following experiments:

• The Stanford Prison Experiment
• Blue eyed and brown eyed stdents
• The Milgram Experiment
• The bystander effect
• Asch conformity experiments

In your own words write a summary of the experiment and its findings.

4) Design your own social experiment to learn more about a certain type of human behaviour.

• How would you set it up and carry it out?
• What would you hope to find out?
• What might be some potential problems ethically?
• What would the long/short term effects?
• How would you get funding or a grant?
• Who would be your peer group/sample?