Evaluation Of Conformity Research

Question 1

Strength identification: Confirmity research is based on lab experiments which are high in what?

Answer 1

Reliability

Question 2

Strength explain: why are they high in reliability?

Answer 2

Because both studies involve the use of highly standardised procedures

Question 3

Strength explain: give examples of standardised proceedures in Asch’s study

Answer 3

The same tasks, the same participant seating, unanimity and questions asked

Question 4

Strength explain: give an example of standardised procedures in Sherif’s experiment

Answer 4

Group size

Question 5

Strength conclusion: what does this mean about confirmity research?

Answer 5

That it can be repeated and has been shown to show consistent results

Question 6

Weakness Identification: What has Asch’s research been critised for being?

Answer 6

Era dependant (out of date)

Question 7

Weakness explanation: This is because the Asch’s original experiment was conducted when? And what is possible that these findings are a reflection of?

Answer 7

1950’s accused of being a child of its time, a reflection of social and historical aspects of this time only

Question 8

Weakness explanation: replication from Perrin & Spencer (1980) 30 years later using STEM students, what was found?

Answer 8

Out of 396 trials, there was only one single occasion where a participant conformed

Question 9

Weakness conclusion: Why does this mean that we cannot generalise findings from thr original Asch study to modern day society

Answer 9

It is likely that there is less of a conformity effect

Question 10

Weakness Identification: The experiments have been criticised fir being low in what?

Answer 10

Ecological validity and mundane realism

Question 11

Weakness explanation: This is because the situation of judging the length of lines or being asked questions about light moving are unrealistic and examples of…?

Answer 11

Artificial tasks

Question 12

Weakness conclusion: why does this mean that we cannot generalise findings from conformity research to other settings?

Answer 12

They may not reflect how people really conform in real life situations.

Question 13

Weakness Identification: Asch’s research id accused of what?

Answer 13

Cultural relativism

Question 14

Weakness Identification: Asch’s research id accused of what?

Answer 14

Cultural relativism

Question 15

Weakness explanation: This is because Asch’s original study was conducted in America. What have some psychologists found?

Answer 15

Very different levels of confirmity in other cultures

Question 16

Weakness Explanation: What did Smith and Bond’s meta analysis involve and show?

Answer 16

Looking over 133 conformity studies carried out in 17 countries
Overall the average level of confirmity was 31% (slightly below Asch’s)
In Fiji conformity levels were 58% wheras belgium 14%

Question 17

Weakness conclusion: This means we may not be able to generalise findings of Asch’s study accross cultures, why?

Answer 17

Because collectivist and individualistic cultures share different values

Question 18

Weakness identification: these experiments have been criticised for failing to adhere to what?

Answer 18

Ethical guidelines

Question 19

Weakness explanation: how did Asch decieve his participants?

Answer 19

He told them that the 6 participants were genuine participants

Question 20

Weakness explanation: how did Asch fail to protect his participants from psychological harm?

Answer 20

Because he created higher levels of stress and anxiety eg humiliating them

Question 21

Weakness explanation: participants did not give informed consent because…?

Answer 21

The didn’t know the true aim because Asch said it was a perception test.

Question 22

Weakness Conclusion: what does failing to adhere to ethical guidlines mean?

Answer 22

That the rights of the participants may have not been protected