Asch Study : Variables Affecting Conformity

Question 1

Name three variables that affected conformity in Asch’s study (1951).

Answer 1

Group size, the unanimity of the majority and the difficulty of the task

Question 2

How did group size affect conformity in Asch’s study?

Answer 2

• Asch found that there was very little conformity when the majority consisted of just one or two confederates
• when there was three confederates it gave more pressure which made the conformity rates go up to about 30%
• further increases of the size of the majority did not increase the level of conformity substantially which indicates that the size of the majority is important but only up to a point
• Campbell and Fairey (1989) suggest that group size may have a different effect depending on the type of judgement being made and the motivation of the individual
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