Conformity - Asch Study

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

Measure the extent to which social pressure from a majority group could affect a person to conform

Question 2

Sample size

Answer 2

123 male American undergraduates

Question 3

Procedure

Group size

Answer 3

7/8

1 real participant - rest were confederates

Question 4

Procedure

Answer 4

Shown two cards at a time
Standard line / 3 comparison lines
P was asked which line matched the standard
Confederates started giving the same wrong answer
P took park in 18 trials - 12 trials confederated gave the wrong answer

Question 5

How often did the participant give a wrong answer

Answer 5

36.8%

Question 6

Percentage of the p’s that conformed once

Answer 6

75%

Question 7

Conclusion of the experiment

Answer 7

P’s conformed to avoid rejection - wanted to be accepted even if they knew the answer was wrong

Question 8

Variations

Group size

Answer 8

Conformity increases as group size increases

3 confederates - conformity rose to 31.8%

Question 9

Variations

Unanimity

Answer 9

Presence of a confederate who disagrees - reduced conformity

Reduced to 25% conformity

Question 10

Variations

Task difficulty

Answer 10

Harder task - isi plays a greater role

Question 11

Ambiguous

Answer 11

Not a clear answer

Question 12

Unambiguous

Answer 12

Clear, correct answer

Question 13

Unanimous

Answer 13

Everyone agrees

Question 14

Unanimity

Answer 14

Everyone is in agreement

Question 15

Apply the ethical guidelines to Asch’s experiment

Answer 15

Deception - unaware of the true nature - necessary to produce valid results

Lack of informed consent - deception was used - undermines extent to which consent gained can be ‘informed’

Psychological harm - extreme stress, embarrassment

Right to withdraw - not clear if they were unaware of this right

Question 16

Aim

Answer 16

Measure the extent to which social pressure from a majority group could affect a person to conform

Question 17

Sample size

Answer 17

123 male American undergraduates

Question 18

Procedure

Group size

Answer 18

7/8

1 real participant - rest were confederates

Question 19

Procedure

Answer 19

Shown two cards at a time
Standard line / 3 comparison lines
P was asked which line matched the standard
Confederates started giving the same wrong answer
P took park in 18 trials - 12 trials confederated gave the wrong answer

Question 20

How often did the participant give a wrong answer

Answer 20

36.8%

Question 21

Percentage of the p’s that conformed once

Answer 21

75%

Question 22

Conclusion of the experiment

Answer 22

P’s conformed to avoid rejection - wanted to be accepted even if they knew the answer was wrong

Question 23

Variations

Group size

Answer 23

Conformity increases as group size increases

3 confederates - conformity rose to 31.8%

Question 24

Variations

Unanimity

Answer 24

Presence of a confederate who disagrees - reduced conformity

Reduced to 25% conformity

Question 25

Variations

Task difficulty

Answer 25

Harder task - isi plays a greater role

Question 26

Ambiguous

Answer 26

Not a clear answer

Question 27

Unambiguous

Answer 27

Clear, correct answer

Question 28

Unanimous

Answer 28

Everyone agrees

Question 29

Unanimity

Answer 29

Everyone is in agreement

Question 30

Apply the ethical guidelines to Asch’s experiment

Answer 30

Deception - unaware of the true nature - necessary to produce valid results

Lack of informed consent - deception was used - undermines extent to which consent gained can be ‘informed’

Psychological harm - extreme stress, embarrassment

Right to withdraw - not clear if they were unaware of this right