Conformity and types of conformity - Evaluation

Question 1

What’s a strength of Asch’s research?

Answer 1

Other studied support results from task difficulty
- Lucas et al
> gave hard and easy math problems
> harder math problems = increased conformity

Question 2

What’s a strength of Asch’s research in terms of lab use?

Answer 2

Controlled
- internal validity = reliable
- confederates - controlled social situation
- isolate and examine findings

Question 3

What’s are limitations of Asch’s research?

Answer 3

• Artificial situation (lab) with an artificial task
• too simplistic
• role of self confidence (individual level factors)
• Participants aware of study
• Lack of generalization
  > cant apply to real life situation
  > white american men (individualist culture) women conform more

Question 4

What are the strengths of NSI?

Answer 4

• Asch’s research
  > conformed to gain approval
  > conformity fell by 12.5% when written down answers
  > avoid normative group pressure
• Some conformity = fear of rejection

Question 5

What are limitations of NSI?

Answer 5

• Doesn’t always predict conformity
  > some really care about others liking them
  > want to relate to other people
• Teevan: students who want to be liked were more likely to conform
• individual differences that cannot be fully explained by one theory

Question 6

What are limitations of both NSI and ISI?

Answer 6

• Unclear if they work in real life
• Asch found that conformity reduced with dissenter
• Dissenter may reduce power in ISI - provide alternate source of social info
• difficult to separate, both probably operate in real life

Question 7

What are strengths of ISI?

Answer 7

• Lucas et al support
  > participants conform more in difficult situations
  > difficult problem = situation between unclear