Conformity

Question 1

Conformity definition

Answer 1

A change in a persons behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a individual or a group of people

Question 2

How many participants did Asch use in his study and where were they from

Answer 2

123 American male participants

Question 3

Asch’s Research on conformity

Answer 3

• Thought it was a test on eyesight Baseline procedure
• 2 pieces of paper one with 3 comparison lines and another one with 1 standard line
• 5 confederates and 1 participant sat around a table (participant is sat/asked 5th)
• Asked which comparison line is the same as the standard line (ABC)

Question 4

What were the results of Asch study

Answer 4

• Genuine participants agreed with confederates incorrect answers 36.8% of the time
• 25% of the participants never gave a wrong answer (ie. never conformed)

Question 5

What were the 3 Variables study by Asch

Answer 5

Group Size
Unanimity
Group Size

Question 6

What was the results of the Group Size variation

Answer 6

Group size- (group size total 2-16) conformity increased with grimy size ups to a point where it starts to level off

Question 7

What was the results of the Unanimity variation

Answer 7

Unanimity- Conformed less often in the presence of a dissenter

Question 8

What was the results of the Task difficulty variation

Answer 8

Task difficulty- The harder the task the more people will conform due to the situation being ambiguous

Question 9

Evaluation on Asch’s conformity research- Artificial situation and task

Answer 9

LIMITATION

Participants knew it was a research study so played along with a trivial task. Demand characteristics

Question 10

Evaluation on Aschs conformity research- Limited Application

Answer 10

LIMITATION

Asch’s research is only conducted using american men. Can’t be generalised

Question 11

Evaluation on Asch’s conformity research- Research Support

Answer 11

STRENGTH

Lucas found more conformity when math problems were harder

Question 12

Evaluation on Aschs conformity research- Ethical Issues

Answer 12

LIMITATION

Participants were deceived

Question 13

What are the types of conformity

Answer 13

Internalisation
Identification
Compliance

Question 14

Internalisation

Answer 14

A deep type of conformity where we can take on the majority view because we accept it as correct. It leads to a permeant change in behaviour in public and private

Question 15

Identification

Answer 15

A moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way as the group because we value it and want to be a part of it

Question 16

Compliance

Answer 16

A superficial and temporary type of conformity where we outwardly go along with the majority view, buyer privately disagree with it. The change in our behaviour only lets as long as the group is monitoring us

Question 17

Explanations for conformity

Answer 17

Normative Social Influence (NSI)
Informational Social Influence (ISI)

Question 18

Normative Social Influence (NSI)

Answer 18

Conform due to the need to be liked (naffiliators)

Question 19

Informational Social Influence (ISI)

Answer 19

Conform due to the need to be right

Question 20

Evaluation points for the types and explanations of conformity- Research Support for NSI

Answer 20

STRENGTH

When no normative group pressure (wrote answer), conformity went down to 12.5%

Question 21

Evaluation points for the types and explanations of conformity- Research Support for ISI

Answer 21

STRENGTH

Participants relied on other peoples answer to hard math problems (Lucas)

Question 22

Evaluation points for the types and explanations of conformity- Individual differences in ISI

Answer 22

LIMITATION

nAffiliators want to be liked more so will conform more (McGhee and Teevan)

Question 23

What was the aim of Zimbardo’s Stanford prison experiment?

Answer 23

Aim- Wanted to know why prison guards behave brutally- was it because they have sadistic personalities or was it their social role

Question 24

How many participants were involved in Zimbardo’s prison experiment

Answer 24

Participants- 21 Student volunteers- split randomly into guards or prisoners

Question 25

What was the procedure of Zimbardo’s Stanford prison experiment?

Answer 25

Procedure- Prisoners were given a smock and cap to wear, and were identified by a number, they were actually unknowingly arrested in front of their friends or family and were de-loused. Guards wore mirrored sunglasses, a uniform, carried a baton and handcuffs. They were given shifts

Question 26

What were the results of Zimbardo’s Stanford prison experiment?

Answer 26

Guards became increasingly brutal, Prisoners rebellion put down and prisoners became depressed

Question 27

What was the conclusion of Zimbardo’s Stanford prison experiment?

Answer 27

Participants strongly conformed to their roles

Question 28

Evaluation of conformity to social roles- Control

Answer 28

STRENGTH

Random assignment to rules which increased internal validity

Question 29

Evaluation of conformity to social roles- Lack of realism

Answer 29

LIMITATION

Participants play-cated their roles according to media stereotypes
Cool Hand Luke

Question 30

Evaluation of conformity to social roles- Counterpoint to lack of realism

Answer 30

STRENGTH

Evidence participants thought the prison was real to them- 90% of conversations was about prison life

Question 31

Evaluation of conformity to social roles- Ethical issues

Answer 31

LIMITATION

Harm- psychological issues to participants in the future
Prisoners were physically abused- push up in the night

Study ended early due to poor treatment of prisoners

Deception