asch’s research

• What was the main aim of Asch's Line Study?

  To investigate conformity to the majority
• What was the procedure of Asch's Line Study?

  • 5-7 participants per group
  • Presented with one standard line and three comparison lines
  • Participants stated which comparison line matched the standard line
  • One real participant, others were confederates
  • Confederates gave incorrect answers on 12 out of 18 trials
• How many trials did the confederates give incorrect answers in Asch's study?

  12 out of 18 trials
• What percentage of real participants conformed on critical trials?

  32%
• What percentage of the sample conformed at least once?

  75%
• What factors affect conformity according to Asch's study?


  1. Group size
  2. Group unanimity
  3. Difficulty of task
• How did Asch alter group size in his study?

  By changing the number of confederates
• What was the effect of increasing the number of confederates on conformity?

  Conformity increased up to a point
• What was the conformity percentage with one confederate?

  3%
• What was the conformity percentage with two confederates?

  13%
• What was the conformity percentage with three or more confederates?

  32% (or 1/3)
• What is considered the optimal group size for conformity?

  Four to five members
• How does group unanimity affect conformity?

  Conformity increases when all members agree
• How much did conformity drop when one confederate disagreed?

  As much as 80%
• How does the difficulty of the task affect conformity?

  Increased difficulty leads to increased conformity
• What happens to conformity when participants answer in private?

  Conformity decreases
• Why does conformity decrease when answering in private?

  Less group pressure and normative influence