SI:Factors Affecting Conformity

Question 1

Asch (1956)

Answer 1

Lines experiment
123 US male undergraduates sat in groups 7-9
Publicly declare which of three comparison lines matched standard line
Only one participant at a time- everyone else was a confederate that gave the wrong answer for 12/18 trials
75% conformed to incorrect answers at least once

Question 2

Pps. Conformed for one of three reasons

Answer 2

Distortion of perception (small no. came to see lines differently)
Distortion of judgement (unsure of own judgement)
Distortion of action (conformed to avoid disapproval)

Question 3

There were 12 critical trials in Asch’s study

Answer 3

• difficulty of task increased: conformity increased
• majority increased: conformity increased up to a point ( 1/2 people=little conformity, 3 people=30% conformity, further increase had no effect)
• one or more confederates have right answer (conformity decreases)

Question 4

Variables affecting conformity

Answer 4

Group size
Unanimity
Task difficulty

Question 5

Evaluation of Asch’s study

Answer 5

No variation in gender or academic background (unrepresentative)
Lab setting (lacks ecological validity)
Unrealistic task (lacks task validity)
Highly influential for future research on social influence