4. Conformity: Asch's Research - Variables Affecting Conformity AO1

Question 1

What were the three variations Asch used?

Answer 1

1. Group size
2. Unanimity
3. Task difficulty

Question 2

Outline the variation of group size

Answer 2

Number of confederates varied between 1-15

Question 3

Outline the variation of unanimity

Answer 3

A truthful confederate was introduced or a dissenting confederate who was incorrect

Question 4

Outline the variation of task difficulty

Answer 4

Line judging made harder - stimulus line and comparison line more similar in length.

Question 5

What did Asch find about the effects of group size?

Answer 5

2 confederates - conformity was 13.6%
3 confederates - conformity was 31.8%
Any more confederates made little difference

Question 6

What did Asch find about the effects of unanimity?

Answer 6

Presence of dissenting confederate reduced confederate- average 25% wrong answers - dissenter enables more independent behaviour

Question 7

What did Asch find about the effects of task difficulty?

Answer 7

Conformity increased with difficulty - ISI plays greater role when task is harder - ambiguous situation makes individuals look to others for guidance.