Evaluation of Asch's (1956) original study

Question 1

One strength of Asch’s experiment was that the variables were highly controlled. Why is this a strength (Evidence)

Answer 1

The experiment was in a lab where certain factors could be controlled

Question 2

One strength of Asch’s experiment was that the variables were highly controlled. Why is this a strength (Explanation)

Answer 2

Study can be easily replicated to see if same results are found, increasing reliability of Asch’s study.

Question 3

One strength of Asch’s experiment was that the variables were highly controlled. Why is this a strength (Counter-argument)

Answer 3

Participants are not in a natural setting e.g. where conforming to a majority had real life consequences therefore having little real world application.

Question 4

An issue with Asch’s study is that the research may be of it’s time. Why is this is a weakness (Evidence)

Answer 4

The 1950’s was going through a strong anti-communist period when people were scared to go against the majority so were more likely to conform

Question 5

An issue with Asch’s study is that the research may be of it’s time. Why is this is a weakness (Explanation)

Answer 5

Suggest Asch’s study may be dependent on attitude and cultural background at the time. May lack temporal validity

Question 6

There have been shown to be cultural differences in levels of conformity. Why is this a problem (Evidence)

Answer 6

Smith analysed a number of Asch-like studies and found individualistic cultures conformed 25% of the time where as collectivist conformed 37%

Question 7

There have been shown to be cultural differences in levels of conformity. Why is this a problem (Explanation)

Answer 7

Research should be careful when making conclusions about conformity across cultures, to not show an imposed etic. Asch’s study shows indivdualistic we should be careful to make same generalisations to collectivist.

Question 8

An issue with Asch’s study is that the confederates were argued to not have been convincing enough. (Evidence)

Answer 8

They had to give the answer several times whereby the answer was obviously wrong, may have been difficult to be convincing

Question 9

An issue with Asch’s study is that the confederates were argued to not have been convincing enough. (Explanation)

Answer 9

Suggest the confederates had acted convincingly and it should be argued to be internally valid as the study was measuring rates of conformity to unambigious situations