Asch et al Flashcards
1
Q
What can this study be used for?
A
Conformity
2
Q
Background
A
- Conformity is a change of behaviour as a result of real or imagined group pressure or norms.
- Conformity is the result of one of our most basic human behaviours: social comparison - that is, our tendency to compare ourselves to others around us in order to validate our own behaviour and opinions.
- Informational social influence: The need for certainty. When we are in ambiguous situations, we engage in social comparison in order to figure out how to behave.
- Normative social influence: The need for social acceptance and approval. We conform in order to be accepted and to fit in.
3
Q
Year
A
Asch (1956)
4
Q
Aim
A
Investigate conformity
5
Q
Participants
A
123 male USA students
6
Q
Experimental design
A
7
Q
Procedure
A
- participants were told they they are participating in vision test
- the participant would enter the room where there was the researcher and 6 men
- these men were actors, that helped deceive the participant. their role was to give the wrong answer
- participants were shown a line on one card and had to match it with one of the 3 lines on another card. each took turns to call out their answer
- in 12 out of 18 trials, confederates gave the wrong answer
- the goal was to see whether the participant would conform
- control group: participant was answering questions alone
8
Q
Results
A
- in around 1/3 trials the participant agreed with the group
- around 25% never conformed
- in control group, errors were made only around 1% of a time
- Interviews were conducted after the experiment and it was found that participants still believed the correct answer privately, but publically expressed the more popular opinion, conforming with the group
- In other variations of the experiment, Asch showed that if someone else would also give the correct answer, the rate of conformity would drop to only 5%
9
Q
Link to social identity theory
A
- Participants
