Asch Study

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To test conformity

Question 2

Procedure

Answer 2

• Two large white cards at a time
  – One card had standard line, other card had three other lines
  – P’s had to pick which of the three lines the standard line matched (match was obvious)
  123 American male undergraduates
  – Each real p in a group with between 6-8 confederates
  – First few trials, correct answers given, then started making the wrong choice
  – Real p took part in 18 trials and confederates gave incorrect answer on 12 ‘critical trials’
  – ‘Trial’ means each time the confederates chose the wrong line

Question 3

Findings

Answer 3

The naïve participant gave the wrong answer 36.8% of the time
– 75% of naïve participants conformed at least once
– The term Asch effect has been used to describe this result
– The extent to which participants conform when situation is dubious
– Interviewed afterwards, most said conformed as they wanted to fit in

Question 4

Evaluation

Demand characteristics

Answer 4

The p’s may have known the aim of the study and therefore changed their behaviour

Question 5

Evaluation

Results can’t be generalised

Answer 5

They were all undergraduates so a young age meaning social approval may have been the reason they conformed and this may not be applicable to older people

Question 6

Evaluation

Limited application

Answer 6

Only Men were tested, no females

Question 7

Ash Variations

3

Answer 7

• Group size- with only 3 confederates conformity to the wrong answer rose
• unanimity- a confederate who disagreed with the others was introduced which decreased conformity by a quarter
• task difficulty-conformity rose when he made the task more difficult. Shows evidence of Informational social influence