1.2 - Variables affecting conformity and Asch's study

Question 1

When was Asch’s study?

Answer 1

1951

Question 2

Procedure of Asch’s study

Answer 2

• 6 to 8 per group
• Presented with one standard line and 3 others to match to standard
• Each group there was one genuine participant and remaining knew the process
• Fake participants all gave the same incorrect answer
• Told wrong answer on 12 out of 18 critical trials

Question 3

Findings of Asch’s study

Answer 3

• 75% conformed at least once
• 25% never gave a wrong answer
• 5% conformed on all 12 trials

Question 4

Effect of group size on conformity

Answer 4

• More people increases likelihood of conformity
• When 3 confederates it jumped to 30% conformity rates
• To fit in and be correct in a situation with others

Question 5

Effect of unanimity of majority on conformity

Answer 5

• When confederates gave right answer the percentages of wrong answers went from 33% to 5.5%

Question 6

Effect of the difficulty of the task on conformity

Answer 6

• More difficult meant more conformity

Question 7

PEEL - PERIOD OF TIME

Answer 7

P - Asch’s are unique due to the period of time where conformity was higher
E - It is unrepresentative as it was peak McCarthyism
E - Perrin and Spencer repeated his study in UK with 396 trials and found similar levels to Asch
L - Confirmed conformity more likely if percieved costs of not conforming are high which wouldn’t have been the case in USA

Question 8

PEEL - GROUP SIZE

Answer 8

P - Limitation of using only a limited amount of participants
E - Bond suggests only a limited range of sizes used
E - Asch concluded majority size of 3 was enough for maximal influence but Bond says this lacks validity as not a large scale
L - Suggests we know little about the effect of larger majority sizes on conformity

Question 9

PEEL - CONVINCING CONFEDERATES

Answer 9

P - Confederates announcing the wrong answer acted convincingly
E - Increases validity
E - Mori and Arai overcame this problem by using glasses with filters so one participant saw the line differently causing them to have a diff answer to the rest of the group
L - Had results which closely matched Asch proving his confederates were convincing and didn’t lack validity