Variable Affecting Conformity

Question 1

Asch method

Answer 1

123 participants. Participants were shown 3 lines to match to a comparison line.

Question 2

Asch results and conclusion

Answer 2

Results
- 75% conformed on at least one trial. 25% never conformed.
- When asked in the debrief why they conformed they said they wanted to fit in, not stand out.
Conclusion
- People conform due to NSI conformity.

Question 3

Asch variations- Task difficulty

Answer 3

• Lines closer in length- Ambiguous.
• Increases effect on conformity.
  Why
• ISI- More unsure of the right answer.
• Asch’s original- NSI, new answer was wrong, wanted to be liked.

Question 4

Asch variations- Group size

Answer 4

Small
- 1-2 confederates
- Decreases the effect on conformity.
- Why- No group pressure.
Large
- 3-4 confederates.
- Increases the effect on conformity.
- Why- 3 or 4 is optimal size for group pressure.

Question 5

Asch variations- Disrupted unanimity

Answer 5

• Presence of allies.,
• Decreases the effect on conformity.
  Why
• Breaks conformity, allows participants to resist majority influence. Only needs one ally.

Question 6

Asch evaluation- Highly scientific lab experiment

Answer 6

• Highly scientific lab experiment.
• Ev- Same number of confederates, Same lines, always penultimate ( standardised procedure that can be easily replicated to ensure the same results).
• Ex- Good control as only the confederates giving the wrong answer changed. Hence it has to be whether the confederates said the wrong answer that made them conform.
• Low ecological validity.

Question 7

Asch evaluation- Low ecological validity

Answer 7

• Low ecological validity.
• Ev- Strange room and the lines had no real consequences to getting them wrong.
• Ex- This is not comparable to explain behaviour with consequences such as Nazi Germany and gassing Jews, if real consequence, then no conformity.
• Asch assumed all conform due to situation.

Question 8

Asch evaluation criticism- Asch assumed all conformed due to situation

Answer 8

• Asch assumed all conform due to situation. However not everyone did.
• Ev- 25% never conformed.
• Ex- Dispositional- personality take responsibility, less likely to follow the group.
• Conformity both situational and dispositional.