A2 SOCIAL INFLUENCE - Variables Affecting Conformity (Asch)

Question 1

What are the three variables investigated by Asch which affected conformity?

Answer 1

• Group size
• unanimity of the majority
• task difficulty

Question 2

How does group size affect conformity according to Asch’s findings?

Answer 2

Conformity was low with one or two confederates but increased to 30% with three confederates. Further increases in group size did not significantly affect conformity.

Question 3

What is the effect of unanimity of the majority on conformity?

Answer 3

• When the majority was unanimous, conformity rates were high (33%).
• If one confederate gave the correct answer, conformity dropped to 5.5%.
• If a confederate gave a different incorrect answer, conformity dropped to 9%.
• A single break in unanimity significantly reduces conformity.

Question 4

How does task difficulty influence conformity?

Answer 4

• Asch made the differences in the line lengths much smaller to increase task difficulty
• When task difficulty increased, conformity levels also increased.

Question 5

How did the self-efficacy of participants in Asch’s study influence conformity with a more difficult task?

Answer 5

High self-efficacy participants were more independent, even with difficult tasks, compared to low self-efficacy participants

Question 6

What is self-efficacy?

Answer 6

The confidence and competence an individual feels in completing a task.