Asch

Question 1

What was the aim of Asch’s study

Answer 1

To find out how people would behave when given a task where the answer is obvious, to see if people would conform to the group (normative influence)

Question 2

What was the method of Asch’s study

Answer 2

123 male American undergraduates tested. Groups with 7-9 confederates giving wrong answers and 1 true participant who was last but one to answer. 12 critical trials

Question 3

What were the findings of Asch’s study

Answer 3

36.8% of responses were the incorrect answer
75% of participants conformed at least once
(In control trial only 1% wrong)

Question 4

What were the strengths and weaknesses of Asch’s study

Answer 4

Strengths - replicated many times and popularised research into conformity
Weaknesses -
low mundane realism (when do you judge line length)
Low ecological validity (use of strangers not realistic)
Child of its time - highly conformist time in America
Unable to generalise to public - men of similar ages
Ethical issues - deceived and experienced distress