Social Influence AO3 (evaluation)

Question 1

Give a strength of ISI as an explanation of conformity

Answer 1

-conducted by jenness
-made ppts individually estimate the number of jellybeans in a jar, then a group estimate, then a last individual guess
-ppts second private guess was significantly closer to the group estimate than the first
-increases the validity

Question 2

Give a weakness of ISI as an explanation of conformity

Answer 2

-Jenness’ research lacks eco val
-took place in an artificial evt (lab)
-difficult to generalise the findings to real life examples of ISI
-reduces external validity

Question 3

Give a strength of NSI as an explanation of conformity

Answer 3

-conducted by Asch
-ppts were asked to state whether line a, b or c was closest in length to stimulus line x, confederates gave the wrong answer first, ppts conformed 37% of the time
-task was unambiguous as ppts later stated they knew the correct answer but conformed to avoid ridicule
-increased the validity of NSI

Question 4

Give a weakness of NSI as an explanation of conformity

Answer 4

-Asch= gender bias
-only males were tested
-Neto, 1995 suggested that females may be more conformist as they are more concerned about social relationships and being liked by their peers than males
-weakened external validity