Psychology Report: Milgram, Asch Experiments, and Altruism Analysis

This psychology report explores the Milgram and Asch experiments, delving into the concepts of obedience, conformity, and altruism. The report begins by examining the Milgram experiment's findings on obedience to authority and the Asch conformity experiment's demonstration of group influence. It then discusses the concept of the 'selfish gene' and how it relates to altruistic behavior, including kin selection and reciprocal altruism. The report concludes with a personal reflection on conformity and a plan to apply altruistic principles in interactions with others. The references include films on the experiments and the concept of the selfish gene, providing further context for the analysis. This report is a comprehensive analysis of key psychological concepts and experiments.

PSYCHOLOGY 1
Psychology
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PSYCHOLOGY 2
The shock of how the German soldiers could have been influenced to obey authority that led to
the execution of Nazi even beyond moral consciousness led to Milgram experimenting with his
studies in psychology that provided some clues that led to Milgram experiment (Milgram
Experiment, 2013). A sample of 40 males between the age of 20 and 50 were used for the
experiment where the aim was to establish whether people learn correctly when subjected to
punishment. It is fascinating that 40 years later, the Milgram experiment is still taught in schools.
According to Milgram, it was established that people went correct in answering questions as the
shock intensity increased.65% of the volunteers gave the maximum voltage following the
commands from the instructor.
With the Asch conformity experiment, it involved a dozen of people placed in a room to
validate which of the three lines was similar to the standard line (Asch Conformity Experiment,
2012). The results were shocking as all agreed on what the group said despite one knowing that
the answer was wrong. Only one was a real subject the rest were programmed to give the wrong
answers. Distortion of one’s judgement was identified as one of the factors that leads one to
accept conformity. Distortion at the level of response also leads to compliance. Informational
conformity makes one think that the group is right. Normative conformity makes one believe that
the group will disapprove if someone is deviant. People will deny what they see and submit to
group pressure.
In the past natural selection was the slogan where it is the strongest species that survived,
and this was known as survival for the fittest (Richard Dawkins on Altruism and The Selfish
Gene, 2012). People and animals are vehicles that pass on the genes, once the genes are passed
holders of gene become extinct. It is the genes that look out for themselves that survive, and
these are known as selfish genes. Selfish genes become altruistic when animals bind with other

PSYCHOLOGY 3
like-minded animals where they share similar traits where parent animals protect their infants,
and this is known as kin selection. Reciprocal genes arise where animals depend on each other
for extra favors. When humans give food to others and care for each other, this can be selfish
genes giving rise to altruistic individuals. Human beings are nicer to people that they do not
share similar genes.
Part C
I had a group of friends and always consented to what they said even when I knew they
were wrong about what they were doing. I accepted their wrongs because I did not want them to
disapprove my ideas as I tried to conform to their ideology. I plan to use altruism in blending
with new people learning how they think individuals from different cultures particularly. I will
use altruism to contribute to charitable organizations and participate in volunteering activities in
other communities.

PSYCHOLOGY 4
References
Asch Conformity Experiment. 2012. [Film] s.l.: Heroic Imagination TV.
Milgram Experiment. 2013. [Film] s.l.: Big History.
Richard Dawkins on Altruism and The Selfish Gene. 2012. [Film] s.l.: Andy80o.