Reaction on 2 videos that are suitable for showing the differences in human behavior in terms of assisting others while in danger and changing the behavior when given authority Essay

Reaction Paper
For the purpose of this assignment, the two videos showing a real dangerous situation and a psychology experiment will be discussed. The first video shows how two men selflessly helped a woman in a wheelchair to escape from the World Trade Center on September 11 attacks even though they have significantly endangered their own lives. The second video shows the Stanford Prison Experiment, one of the most famous psychology experiments of all time. The following section provides the reaction to these videos based on the current psychology course.
When the World Trade Center was under the attack, two men were escaping the building and selflessly offered to carry a woman in a wheelchair down the fire escape, thus slowing their own rescue and endangering their lives (Cheek, 2010). They were able to evacuate just two minutes before the building collapsed and were successful in saving the woman who may have died if left in the office. Having viewed this video, it becomes apparent that the behavior of the men was brave and selfless because they noticed the women struggling to escape and could have proceeded with evacuation, as instructed. However, they stopped and saved the person who had little chance to live because of the disability, which is a great example of selfless behavior and humanity.
The second video showed rather sadistic and inhuman behavior demonstrated by the participants of the Stanford Prison Experiment. It simulated the environment of a correctional facility and studied how people adopt the roles of becoming a prison guard or prisoner ("Feature Film - The Stanford Prison Experiment," 2014). It was discontinued prematurely because some of the guards became highly sadistic and many 'prisoners' have asked to be released due to the evil behavior of the guards. The video showed that people who played the guards enjoyed having power over others and adopted the roles of evil guards that use inhumane methods to keep the order at the facility moreover, prisoners who were silent often received the same treatment. Having viewed the video, it became evident that people who do not show aggression and evil behavior begin to change when they are given the power over others.
The videos showed entirely different behaviors and intentions demonstrated by people. On the one hand, they help others to reach safety and avoid death, even when they are office managers and not trained for rescue missions. On the other hand, people became sadistic when given power, even when the situation did not require such behavior. Therefore, the first respective act is a good example of a selfless act of kindness, which had a positive influence on the lives of everyone involved. However, the second video showed that people are quick to change the behavior when provided with power, which resulted in negative consequences for the participants, especially prisoners, who required psychological help. These videos are suitable for showing the differences in human behavior in terms of assisting others while in danger and changing the behavior when given authority.