Conformity - Dispositional Factors

Question 1

Dispositional Factors that might affect conformity

Answer 1

Confidence, expertise and gender.

Question 2

When Asch debriefed is participants, what was the common factor he found in people who hadn’t conformed.

Answer 2

Confidence - if they felt confident in their judgement they were more able to resist group pressure.

Question 3

Wiesenthal et al (1967)

Answer 3

If people felt competent in a task they were less likely to conform.

Question 4

Perrin and Spencer (1980)

Answer 4

Replicated Asch’s study with engineering students. Conformity levels much lower. Could have been due to fact engineers had confidence in skills of making accurate observations.

Question 5

What was thought until the mid 1970’s about conformity and gender.

Answer 5

That females conform more than males.

Question 6

Who did research on gender and conformity?

Answer 6

Early and Carli

Question 7

Early and Carli (1981) meta-analysis on conformity research.

Answer 7

Found some sex differences in conformity but differences were inconsistent. Clearest difference between men and women was in Asch-like studies where there was group pressure from an audience.

Question 8

Eagly (1987)

Answer 8

Argues men and women’s social roles explained difference in conformity. Women more concerned with group harmony so more likely to agree with others. Assertiveness and independence valued male attributes so maintaining own opinion under pressure fits with perceived male social role.