Conformity

Question 0

Evaluate Asch’s study.

Answer 0

Ethics: H & D - felt foolish, no informed consent - impossible otherwise
Confessed demand characteristics
Unrepresentative sample (all male students)
Low ecological validity (used to environment as in the uni)
Low mundane realism (used to being tested)
Too reductionist

Question 1

List Asch’s majority influence results and those of other studies.

Answer 1

32% mean
25% not at all
75% at least once

1 stooge 3%
2 stooges 14%
3 stooges 32% (no higher)

Question 2

Name and describe the evaluative studies for Asch’s majority influence study.

Answer 2

Bond and Smith: conformity rates higher in collectivist cultures
Larsen (1974) lower -> 1950’s McCarthyism
Hogg & Turner (1987) writing -> no effect

Question 3

Describe Moscovici’s study and findings.

Answer 3

All blue slides, 2 stooges (position 1&2, 1&4), 4 pps.
Control 36: just participants: 1%
Say green 36: 8%
Say blue 12, green 24: 1.25%
Green at least once: 32%
Not affected by stooge position
2 different types of groups: influenced or not

Question 4

Evaluate Moscovici’s study.

Answer 4

H & D: not the same as when they started, no informed consent (impossible otherwise)
Unrepresentative sample (female students), not likely to stand up to opposition e.g. in protests etc

Question 5

Name and describe the study related to Moscovici

Answer 5

Clark (1998-9) mock of 12 Angry Men, counter evidence important in moving to minority