Social Influence

• What was the procedure used in Asch's conformity study?


  Participants were grouped with confederates and asked to match a standard line with comparison lines.
• How many confederates were involved in Asch's study?


  There were 6-8 confederates in each group.
• What was the measure of conformity in Asch's study?


  The measure of conformity was how often the real participant conformed to the majority's incorrect answers.
• What percentage of the time did participants agree with the confederates' incorrect answers?


  Participants agreed with the confederates' incorrect answers 36.8% of the time.
• What percentage of participants never gave a wrong answer in Asch's study?


  25% of participants never gave a wrong answer.
• What does Asch's study suggest about normative social influence?


  People conform for social approval, avoiding rejection or being seen as an outcast.
• How did Asch vary the group size in his study?


  • Group size varied from 1 to 15 confederates.
  • Total group size ranged from 2 to 16 participants.
• What was the relationship between group size and conformity rate in Asch's study?


  Asch found a curvilinear relationship where conformity increased with group size to a point.
• What was the conformity rate with 3 confederates?


  The conformity rate with 3 confederates rose to 31.8%.
• What was the conformity rate with 1 confederate?


  The conformity rate with 1 confederate was 3%.
• What was the conformity rate with 2 confederates?


  The conformity rate with 2 confederates was 15%.
• How did the presence of a non-conforming person affect the participant's conformity?

  The conformity rate dropped to 5.5% in the presence of a dissenter.
• What does the presence of a dissenter suggest about conformity?


  The influence of the majority depends largely on it being unanimous.
• How did Asch increase the difficulty of the task?

  He made the standard line and comparison lines more similar in length.
• What was the effect of increased task difficulty on conformity?


  Conformity increased as the situation became more ambiguous.
• What are the advantages of Asch's study?


  • High internal validity due to controlled conditions.
  • Task difficulty supported by other studies (e.g., Todd Lucas et al. 2006).
• What are the disadvantages of Asch's study?


  • Artificial task and situation; participants knew they were in a study.
  • Sample consisted only of American men, limiting generalizability.
  • Conformity may differ in collectivist cultures compared to individualist cultures.
• What did Todd Lucas et al. (2006) find regarding task difficulty and conformity?


  Participants conformed more when problems were harder.
• How does conformity differ between individualist and collectivist cultures?


  Conformity is generally higher in collectivist cultures compared to individualist cultures.
• What are the key findings of Asch's conformity study?


  • Significant conformity observed (36.8% agreement with incorrect answers).
  • Conformity influenced by group size and presence of dissenters.
  • Increased task difficulty led to higher conformity rates.
• Where was the mock prison set up for the Stanford prison experiment?


  In the basement of the psychology department at Stanford University
• How many students participated in the Stanford prison experiment?


  21 white male students
• What was the purpose of screening students for emotional stability for the Stanford prison experiment?


  To make sure their current mental state didn't interfere with the results of the experiment
• What roles were the students randomly assigned to in the experiment?


  Prison guards or prisoners
• What was the effect of the loose smock and cap on the prisoners?


  It dehumanized them and created a loss of personal identity (de-individuation)
• What items were given to the guards to reflect their roles?


  Wooden clubs, handcuffs, and mirror shades
• How were the prisoners encouraged to identify with their roles?


  By being told they could 'apply for parole' instead of leaving the study early
• What behavior did the guards exhibit towards the prisoners?


  They treated the prisoners harshly
• What actions did the prisoners take in response to the guards' treatment?


  They rebelled by ripping their uniforms and swearing at the guards
• How did the guards reinforce the differences in social roles?


  By creating opportunities to enforce rules and administer punishments
• What was one method the guards used to maintain control over the prisoners?


  Conducting frequent headcounts
• What psychological effects did the prisoners experience during the experiment?


  They became submissive, depressed, and anxious
• How many prisoners were released due to psychological disturbance?


  Three prisoners
• What extreme action did one prisoner take during the experiment?


  He went on a hunger strike
• How did the guards' behavior change over the course of the experiment?


  It became brutal as they enjoyed their power over the prisoners
• How long was the Stanford prison experiment originally planned to last?


  14 days
• Why did Zimbardo end the study early?


  Due to the extreme behavior exhibited by the guards and the psychological distress of the prisoners
• When did Zimbardo conduct the Stanford prison experiment?


  1973
• When did Asch conduct the baseline study for conformity?


  1951
• When did Asch conduct the variables study for conformity?


  1955