Variables effecting conformity (in Asch's variations): group size, unanimity, task difficulty

Question 1

One main problem relating to Asch’s research

Answer 1

Asch’s research will not apply to different countries which also effects the reliability of his research and you are unable to generalise the experiment to a wider population.

Question 2

Describe smith and bonds (1996) study

Answer 2

Smith and bond analysed over 100 studies using an Asch type procedure and found that collectively cultures conform more than individualist cultures (like UK). So arguably, Asch’s findings cannot be applied to all cultures

Question 3

What is mundane realism

Answer 3

Is the study applicable to real life? Will it correlate to real life experiences/ is it realistic at all?

Question 4

What is one limitation of smith and bonds study

Answer 4

It lacks external validity as the research was only carried out in the US so it has only been tested on individualistic cultures and not collectivist cultures

Question 5

List the variation of Asch’s study to the unanimity

Answer 5

The unanimity of the study, if the confederates were unanimous, conformity increased, if they were not unanimous, conformity decreased.

Question 6

What are the three main factors that affect conformity?

Answer 6

Group size, Unanimity, Task difficulty

Question 7

List are the three variations done in Asch’s study

Answer 7

• Difficulty of the task
• Size of the majority
• The unanimity of the study

Question 8

How was the difficulty of the task altered in Asch’s study

Answer 8

Asch made the lines more ambiguous so the participants would struggle to determine the difference.

Question 9

How was the size of the majority altered

Answer 9

They made the group size vary the number of confederates in each group

Question 10

Whats the correlation between conformity levels and the difficulty of the task in Asch’s study

Answer 10

Conformity levels decreased, ISI (informal social influence) was now present and subjects wanted to get it right, more ambiguous

Question 11

Whats the correlation between conformity levels and the size of the majority in Asch’s study

Answer 11

Where there are more confederates; conformity will increase

Question 12

What is the correlation between conformity and the unanimity of the study

Answer 12

Conformity levels dropped from 32% to 5.5% when one of the confederates dissented and gave the correct answer

Question 13

What does the difficulty of the task variation suggest about when we do or don’t conform

Answer 13

This variation suggests that ISI is present, so we are more likely to look to others for guidance.

Question 14

What does the size of the majority variation suggest about when we do or don’t conform

Answer 14

In this variation, the more people giving wrong answers, the more likely you are to conform

Question 15

What does the unanimity of the study suggest about when we do or don’t conform

Answer 15

In this variation it shows social support, reduces conformity and it breaks the pressure to fit in as you have an ally to support you.