Lesson 3: Key studies in Conformity

Question 1

Key studies in conformity:

Answer 1

Jenness (1932): jelly bean experiment estimate changed after collaboration (ISI)
Sherif (1935): autokinetic light experiment (ISI)
Asch (1951): line experiment to see if the subject would conform to confederates clearly incorrect answer (NSI)

Question 2

Jennes study

Answer 2

• used ambiguous situation of bottle filled with jelly beans
• asked pps to guess how many were inside individually then as group
• results were converging; results came closer after discussion (ISI)

Question 3

Sheriff study

Answer 3

• auto kinetic effect illusion
• pps asked to guess how much light moved individually then in groups
• group was converging; results changed to other peoples (ISI)

Question 4

Who developed the two process theory for conformity? (ISI and NSI)

Answer 4

Deutsch and Gerard (1955)

Question 5

Asch study- ‘vision test’

Answer 5

• 123 male US undergraduates in a ‘vision test’
• asch placed pp last amongst group of confederates
• confederates picked blatantly wrong answer to see if pp would conform (18 trials, 12 critical)
• 75% conformed at least once, 25% never conformed
• overall conformity of 35% on critical trials
• asch asked reasons for conformity in interview and response was that they knew answers were false but wanted to fit in (NSI) so study showed compliance