Variables Affecting Conformity Flashcards
What is the dependent variable investigated by Asch in his conformity studies?
The level of conformity
Asch examined how various situational factors influenced conformity.
What effect does group size have on conformity rates according to Asch’s findings?
Conformity rates increase with the size of the majority, but plateau after a certain point
Asch found 3% conformity with one confederate, 12.8% with two, and 32% with three.
What was the conformity rate with three confederates in Asch’s study?
32%
This indicates a significant influence of a small majority on individual behavior.
What happens to conformity rates when the majority is unanimous?
Conformity rates are higher
Asch found a 32% conformity rate when the majority was unanimous.
What was the effect on conformity when one confederate dissented by giving the correct line length?
Conformity dropped to 5.5%
This illustrates how dissent can reduce conformity pressure.
What was the conformity rate when a dissenter gave an alternative incorrect response?
Conformity dropped to 9%
This shows that having dissenting voices can provide social support for resisting conformity.
How does task difficulty affect conformity rates?
Greater task difficulty leads to higher conformity rates
Participants conformed more when the comparison lines were similar.
What did Asch do to increase task difficulty in his studies?
Made the comparison lines more similar to each other
This change made the ‘right’ answer less obvious.
Fill in the blank: Conformity increases in situations of reduced _______.
certainty
Individuals look to others for guidance when unsure.
What type of social influence is described when individuals conform due to uncertainty?
Informational social influence
This occurs when individuals seek guidance from others in ambiguous situations.
