3. Conformity: Asch's Research AO1 Flashcards
Outline Asch’s participants
123 American male students
How were Asch’s participants studied?
Tested individually with group of 6-8 confederates
What did Asch ask participants to do?
Identify the length of multiple lines
What did the confederates do throughout?
To start with gave the correct answer but then all began to select the same incorrect answer
How many trials were completed?
Each participant completed 18 trails - 12 ‘critical trails’ confederates answered incorrectly
What were the results of participants?
Naive participants gave wrong answer 36.8% of time - agreed with confederate
What is the Asch effect?
The extent to which people conform even in an unambiguous situation
What percentage of participants never gave wrong answer?
25%
What percentage of participants gave wrong answer at least once?
75%
Why did participants conform?
Most said to avoid rejection - NSI - but continued to privately trust their own opinion
What type of conformity is Asch’s research?
Compliance - going along publicly but not privately
What type of social influence is Asch’s study?
NSI - fear of rejection
