⭐⭐Asch

Question 1

Possible Questions

Answer 1

Discuss the use of one research method in one study of the individual and the group. (true experiment)

Question 2

Year

Answer 2

1956

Question 3

Aim

Answer 3

Test the power of normative social influence on one’s likelihood to conform in an unambiguous task

Question 4

Sample

Answer 4

50 male students in USA

Question 5

Procedure

Answer 5

• Participants told they were taking part in vision test

During test
- 1 naive participant
- 6 confederates
- Card 1 had one single line
- Card 2 had 3 lines
- Had to pick line on card 2 that matched length of line in card 1
- Confederates told to give unanimous wrong answers on certain trials
- Participants always answered next to last

• 18 trials total
• 12 ‘incorrect answer’ trials

Control
- 1 participant answered 18 trials without confederates present

50 partipants in experimental condition
37 participants in control condition

Question 6

Results and Conclusion

Answer 6

During 12 critical trials
- 75% conformed at least once
- 25% never conformed

Control
- less than 1% of participants gave wrong response

People are likely to conform to unanimous decision of a group, even when they know it is incorrect.

Question 7

Evaluation

Answer 7

Ecological validity: low
- meaningless task

• Control group increases validity

Sampling bias: high
- Only American male students
- BUT, study has been replicated in other cultures with similar results

Ethical Concerns
- deception