conformity - asch

• What was the aim of Asch's study?


  To investigate majority influence
• What was the procedure of Asch's experiment?


  • Sample: 123 American men
  • Method: Lab experiment
  • Groups of 6: 1 participant and 5 confederates
  • Task: Estimate the length of a line
  • Confederates give wrong answers in 12 out of 18 trials
• What was the average level of conformity found in Asch's study?


  33%
• What were the variations in Asch's study and their effects on conformity?


  1. Task difficulty: Lines more similar in length increased conformity
  2. Group size: 4 confederates led to 30% lower conformity
  3. Unanimity: Breaking agreement reduced conformity to 5.5% or lower
• Why do participants conform according to Asch's conclusions?


  To fit in (normative social influence)
• How does task difficulty affect conformity in Asch's study?


  Conformity increases when the task is harder
• What are the limitations of Asch's study?


  • Sample bias: All men, all American
  • Lacks ecological validity: Task not realistic
  • Lacks temporal validity: Higher conformity during that time
  • Limited application: Doesn't reflect real-life conformity
• What is the significance of lab experiments in Asch's study?


  They can be repeated to test for reliability
• What practical applications can be derived from Asch's findings?


  • Can explain real-life behaviors
  • Understanding conformity can aid in various fields like marketing and psychology
• What did supporting research by Crutchfield find in relation to Asch's study?


  Similar levels of conformity at 30%
• What aspect of Asch's method increases its validity?


  The use of a control group with 3 mistakes in 720 trials