We think and interact with each other like no other creature on our planet.

But while we like to see ourselves as thoughtful and caring people, it's not always the case.

Let's delve into some of the most influential social experiments that you'd think would have had different results.

You're listening.

You're listening.

You're listening to be amazed. Let's begin with the Good Samaritan test. If you saw someone in need, do you think you'd stop to help them out?

What if you were in a hurry?

To test this, psychologists at Princeton University

designed an experiment in the 1970s. The premise was simple. A group of students were all called

to see researchers and asked to give a talk about the Good Samaritan from the Bible at a nearby

building. I won't be discussing theology here, but in case you haven't read the Bible, the

parable of the Good Samaritan is an example of loving those who may not be our friends. They

were either told that they had plenty of time to go to the next place, had a little time,

or were running late already. On their way to where they were supposed to give the speech,

they would pass a

stranger who appeared to be sick and needed help. Because of the route they took, there was

no way that the students would be able to pass the stranger without noticing him. Now, how

many of the students do you think stopped to help the man? Even though they were giving a speech

on the Good Samaritan, the time pressure

had the biggest impact. 63% of those with plenty of time helped, 45% of those with a little

time helped, and only 10% of those who were running late helped. These are much lower numbers

than the experimenters expected. Now, what do you think you would have done?

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