variables affecting conformity inc. Asch

Question 1

outline the procedure of Asch’s study

Answer 1

• 4 lines, 3 comparison and 1 standard
• asked which of the 3 was the same length as standard
• real P always answered last or second to last
• confederate gave same incorrect answer for 12/18 trials

Question 2

outline the findings of Asch’s study

Answer 2

• 36.8% conformed
• 25% never conformed
• 75% conformed at least once
• control: 1% incorrect - eliminates extraneous variables e.g. eyesight

Question 3

what did Asch find about how group size affects conformity

Answer 3

• more likely to conform in a bigger group
• group size of at least 3 produces highest rates of 32%

Question 4

what did Asch find out about how unanimity affects conformity

Answer 4

• more likely to conform when group is unanimous
• 1 dissenter brought levels from 32% to 5.5%

Question 5

what did Asch find about how task difficulty affects conformity

Answer 5

• more likely to conform when task is difficult
• Asch altered the comparison lines to be more similar in length making it harder to judge and therefore increase conformity
• this could link more to ISI as Ps may have genuinely not known the correct answer

Question 6

what are some strengths of Asch’s study

Answer 6

• high internal validity = strict control over extraneous variables such as timing of assessment and type of task used, Ps did the experiment before without confederates to check that they actually knew the answer, cause and effect can therefore be established
• lab experiment = high level of control means easy replication of experiment, successful replication then leads to increased reliability of findings
• ethical issues = Ps were debriefed which counteracts the negative ethics of no informed consent and deception
• supports NSI = Ps reported they conformed to fit in

Question 7

what are some weaknesses of Asch’s study

Answer 7

• lacks ecological validity = unrepresentative task for everyday life therefore findings cannot be generalised as it doesn’t reflect the complexities of every day conformity
• lacks population validity = androcentric and ethnocentric (american) + all undergraduates so doesn’t reflect all age groups, subject to gender bias - Beta bias
• lacks temporal validity = 1950s context of anti-communism means people may have been more scared to be different therefore can’t be generalised