Asch

• How many male American undergraduates participated in the study?

  123
• What was the aim of the study conducted by Asch?

  To investigate conformity and majority influence
• What was the procedure of the Asch conformity experiment?

  • Participants and confederates presented with 4 lines: 3 comparison lines and 1 standard line
  • Asked to state which comparison line matched the standard line
  • Real participant answered last or second to last
  • Confederates gave the same incorrect answer for 12 out of 18 trials
• How did Asch measure conformity in his experiment?

  By observing how often the participant gave the same incorrect answer as the confederates
• What percentage of participants conformed in Asch's study?

  37%
• What percentage of participants never conformed in the study?

  25%
• What percentage of participants conformed at least once during the trials?

  75%
• What were the findings of the control trial in Asch's experiment?

  • Only 1% of responses given by participants were incorrect
  • This eliminates eyesight/perception as an extraneous variable
  • Increases the validity of the conclusions drawn
• Why is the control trial significant in Asch's study?

  It helps eliminate eyesight/perception as an extraneous variable
• How does group size affect conformity?

  An individual is more likely to conform when in a larger group.
• What was the effect of having fewer than 3 confederates on conformity?

  There was low conformity with fewer than 3 confederates.
• What happens to conformity when the number of confederates exceeds 3?

  Conformity rose by 30% when the number of confederates exceeded 3.
• Why does conformity increase when all group members give the same answer?

  It increases confidence in the correctness of the group and decreases confidence in one's own answer.
• What is considered the optimal group size for conformity?

  The optimal group size for conformity is four.
• What does the study suggest about the influence of a majority of at least 3?

  A majority must be at least 3 to exert influence, but an overwhelming majority is not always needed.
• How does unanimity of the majority affect conformity?

  An individual is more likely to conform when the group is unanimous.
• What was the effect on conformity when joined by a participant giving the correct answer?

  Conformity fell from 32% to 5.5% when joined by a participant giving the correct answer.
• What happens to conformity when different answers are given by the group?

  Conformity falls from 32% to 9% when different answers are given.
• Why does conformity increase with a more unanimous group?

  The more unanimous the group is, the more confidence the participant will have that they are all correct.
• What type of social influence is established by a unanimous majority?

  Unanimity provides normative social influence by preventing conflicting views.
• How does task difficulty affect conformity?

  An individual is more likely to conform when the task is difficult.
• What was the effect of making comparison lines more similar in length?

  Conformity increased when the comparison lines were made more similar in length.
• Why do individuals look to others for confirmation during difficult tasks?

  When the task is difficult, individuals are uncertain of their answer and look to others for confirmation.
• What does the study suggest about informational social influence?

  Informational social influence is a major mechanism for conformity in ambiguous situations.
• What are the strengths of the study on conformity?

  • High internal validity due to control over extraneous variables
  • Lab experiment allows for easy replication
  • Valid and reliable cause and effect relationships established
• What are the ethical issues associated with the study on conformity?

  • Breach of BPS ethical guideline of deception
  • Lack of informed consent
  • Potential psychological harm to participants
• What are the weaknesses of the study on conformity?

  • Lacks ecological validity due to artificial task
  • Lacks population validity due to sampling issues (only American male undergraduates)
  • Lacks temporal validity due to social context of the 1950s
• How does the social context of the 1950s affect the validity of the study's findings?

  The social context may have influenced results due to societal pressures during the anti-Communist period.
• What does normative social influence refer to in the context of conformity?

  Normative social influence refers to conforming to fit in with the group.
• How do participants report their reasons for conforming in the study?

  Participants reported conforming to fit in with the group despite privately disagreeing.