My deep interest in psychology was piqued by a presentation on three of the most famous psychological studies.

Psychologist Solomon Asch conducted one of the most renowned psychological experiments in history, known as the Asch Experiment, in the 1950s. Each group in the study had only one actual participant; the others in the room were paid actors pretending to be participants. The real participants believed the study was about people’s perceptions of linear lengths. However, the true objective was to observe social conformity. Participants were shown pictures with a single line on the left and three lines of varying lengths on the right, then asked to identify which line on the right matched the line on the left. The actors answered correctly in the first two rounds but incorrectly thereafter. This led 75% of the participants to conform and give wrong answers, despite knowing the correct ones. Asch's experiment demonstrated that humans are hardwired for conformity, and that conformity trumps truth.

In the 1960s, psychologist Stanley Milgram designed another pivotal experiment, revealing our innate tendency to obey authority. Volunteers were assigned the role of "teacher," while two actors played the "learner" and the "experimenter." The teachers were unaware that the learners and experimenters were actors and believed the experiment examined the relationship between memory and learning. The learner was situated behind a screen and the teachers were instructed to administer electric shocks to them for every wrong answer, with shocks intensifying over time. Despite hearing the learner's (acted) screams of pain, 65% of participants continued delivering shocks, prioritizing obedience over empathy.

The third significant experiment took place in the basement of Stanford University's psychology building, converted into a mock prison. Psychologist Philip Zimbardo's experiment explored behavior in a simulated prison environment. Participants were randomly assigned roles as guards or prisoners, with guards instructed to maintain order and prisoners to follow rules. Despite knowing it was a psychological experiment, guards began acting authoritatively and even abusively, while prisoners became passive and obedient, with some rebelling. The experiment, intended to last two weeks, was cut short after six days due to safety concerns. Zimbardo's study revealed how ordinary people could adopt the characteristics of the roles they were given.

These psychological experiments are well-known, and our actions during the pandemic were expected. Similar to Asch's findings, 75% of Americans were expected to comply and then conform. Power brokers were likely surprised by the high level of compliance, as many citizens relinquished constitutional rights out of fear of the virus. When the initial two-week shutdown extended indefinitely, the 25% who resisted began speaking out, only to be silenced by mainstream media and social networks.

Milgram's experiment on obedience was also reflected during the pandemic, as most people followed restrictive measures, despite the evident harm. Travel restrictions, closed entertainment and recreation, shuttered schools, and the closure of small businesses while national chains remained open exemplified this obedience. Non-elected agents designated certain businesses as essential, like liquor stores, while deeming others, like churches, non-essential. People obeyed rules such as wearing masks, maintaining six feet of distance, and vaccinating during a pandemic, despite existing studies questioning their effectiveness.

Zimbardo's experiment was validated as government officials assumed the roles of prison guards, restricting free speech, assembly, worship, and employment. They enforced medications, closed parks and playgrounds, shut down concerts and sports events, and even arrested lone surfers, despite these actions lacking scientific backing.

The lessons from these experiments should be taught in schools to help students resist unnatural and harmful directives. Perhaps in the next pandemic, we can emulate the courage of Rep. Thomas Massey, the only congressman who opposed the shutdowns from day one. This July 4th, let us pledge to never again let the government use a pandemic to strip away our constitutional rights.

1. 3 Historical Psychology Experiments Perfectly Predicted How the Public Would React During COVID

David Christopher is a Master Herbalist, director of The School of Natural Healing, and son of our beloved Dr. John R. Christopher. He is continually helping others improve their health and that of their family members. The School loves having him as the director.