Conformity: Asch's Research

Question 1

When did Asch conduct his research?

Answer 1

1951

Question 2

Aim of Asch (1951):

Answer 2

An experiment whereby there was an obvious answer to a line judgement task. If the participant gave an incorrect answer, it would be clear that this was due to group pressure

Question 3

Procedure of Asch (1951):

Answer 3

• Laboratory experiment
• 1 naive participant
• 7 Confederates
• Line task comparing three lines to a target line and choosing which one was the correct answer

Question 4

Define confederates:

Answer 4

An individual in an experiment who is not a real participant and has been instructed how to behave by the researcher.

Question 5

Define Participants:

Answer 5

The group of people taking part.

Question 6

Results of Asch (1951):

Answer 6

• 32% of the participants in each trial went along and conformed to the clearly incorrect majority
• 75% conformed at least once

Question 7

Reasons for conformity after interviews with participants:

Answer 7

• Distortion of perception (saw the line the same way as participants)
• Distortion of judgement (doubtful/unsure of own judgement)
• Distortion of Action (correctly answered privately but changed publicly to avoid disaproval)

Question 8

What were Asch’s variations?

Answer 8

• group size
• unanimity
• task difficulty

Question 9

What was the effect of group size on conformity?

Answer 9

• Little conformity with 1/2 people
• Increase conformity to 30% with three people
• Further increase had little to none effect on conformity levels

Question 10

What was the effect of unanimity on conformity?

Answer 10

• Dissenter gave right answer

- Conformity dropped considerably

Question 11

What was the effect of difficulty on conformity?

Answer 11

-Increasing the difficulty, increases the conformity

Question 12

What are group size and unanimity an example of?

Answer 12

Normative Social Influence

Question 13

What are task difficulty an example of?

Answer 13

Informational Social Influence

Question 14

Evaluation of Asch’s research methods:

Answer 14

• Highly controlled using replicable materials

- Reduced effect of extraneous variables

Question 15

Evaluation of artificial task/situation:

Answer 15

• Increase demand characteristics

- Unlikely task to be in everyday life (lack generalisation)

Question 16

Evaluation of sample:

Answer 16

• Only men (lack generalisation)

- Western/Individualist culture (Imposed etic if used on collectivist or other cultures)

Question 17

Evaluation of application:

Answer 17

-William and Sogon (1984) higher conformity with friends than with strangers

Question 18

Ethical issues:

Answer 18

-Deception