1.1: Conformity (majority influence)

Question 1

Briefly outline how two variables investigated by Asch were found to affect conformity (2 marks).
1:

2:

Answer 1

1: Increasing the size of the majority increased conformity up to a majority of 3

Question 2

Briefly outline how two variables investigated by Asch were found to affect conformity (2 marks).
1:

2:

Answer 2

2: Increasing task difficulty increased conformity

Question 3

Most research into conformity takes place in a laboratory.

Outline one strength of conducting research into conformity in a laboratory (2 marks)

Answer 3

One strength of conducting research into conformity in a laboratory is that it allows the experimenter to control the variables, such as group size and difficulty of the task.
This manipulation of the IV allows conclusions to be drawn about cause and effect and what the variables are that influence conformity

Question 4

It is Ani’s first day in a new job and he spends a lot of time watching to see what his colleagues are doing, so that he will fit in with them and be liked.
Explain Ani’s behaviour in terms of compliance (2 marks)

Answer 4

Compliance refers to behaviour that involves going along with the majority, even if privately their views are not accepted.
Ani wants to fit in and be liked, so will change his behaviour to be like the others, but does not change his beliefs

Question 5

Outline one method that psychologists have used to study conformity (2 marks)

Answer 5

One method that psychologists have used to study conformity is a laboratory experiment, where confederates deliberately gave the wrong answer to see if the naive participant conformed

Question 6

Outline one method that psychologists have used to study conformity (2 marks).
One method that psychologists have used to study conformity is a laboratory experiment, where confederates deliberately gave the wrong answer to see if the naive participant conformed.

Explain one limitation of this method (2 marks)

Answer 6

One limitation of this method is that laboratory experiments lack ecological validity.
This means that the findings cannot be generalised to the real world

Question 7

Outline one method that psychologists have used to study conformity (2 marks).
One method that psychologists have used to study conformity is a laboratory experiment, where confederates deliberately gave the wrong answer to see if the naive participant conformed.

Explain one limitation of this method (2 marks).
One limitation of this method is that laboratory experiments lack ecological validity.
This means that the findings cannot be generalised to the real world.

Suggest an appropriate way of overcoming this limitation (2 marks)

Answer 7

To overcome a lack of ecological validity, conduct the experiment in the real world, by setting up a field experiment so people behave as they would do normally