Conformity

• Who devised the baseline procedure for conformity research?

  Solomon Asch
• What was the purpose of Asch's baseline procedure?

  To assess conformity to others' opinions
• How many American male participants were tested in Asch's study?

  123 participants
• What did participants see during each trial of Asch's study?

  Two large white cards with lines
• What was the arrangement of the lines in Asch's study?

  One standard line and three comparison lines
• What was the conformity rate among genuine participants in Asch's study?

  36.8% on average
• What percentage of participants never conformed in Asch's study?

  25% never conformed
• Why did participants conform according to Asch's findings?

  Fear of ridicule or being seen as peculiar
• What variables did Asch investigate that affect conformity?

  Group size, unanimity, and task difficulty
• How did group size affect conformity in Asch's study?

  Conformity increased with group size, up to a point
• What was the conformity rate with three confederates?

  31.8% conformity rate
• What effect did a non-conforming confederate have on conformity rates?

  Conformity decreased significantly
• What does the presence of a dissenter suggest about conformity?

  Majority influence depends on unanimity
• How did task difficulty affect conformity in Asch's study?

  Conformity increased as task difficulty increased
• What is the consequence of making the task harder in Asch's study?

  Increased ambiguity led to higher conformity
• What is a strength of Asch's study regarding control?

  High levels of control increase reliability
• What is a limitation of Asch's study related to ecological validity?

  Results may not generalize to real life
• What demographic limitation exists in Asch's study?

  Participants were all American males
• How might gender affect conformity according to other research?

  Women may be more conformist than men
• What does Lucas et al.'s research support regarding task difficulty?

  Participants conformed more on harder problems
• What did Perrin and Spencer find in their replication of Asch's study?

  Only one student conformed
• What ethical issue is associated with Asch's study?

  Participants were deceived about the study's aim
• Why might deception in Asch's study be justified?

  To observe true conformity behavior
• What is conformity?

  Change in behavior due to group influence
• How does Aronson define conformity?

  Change in behavior or opinions due to pressure
• What are the three types of conformity according to Kelman?

  Compliance, internalization, and identification
• What is compliance in terms of conformity?

  Superficial change for group approval
• What is internalization in terms of conformity?

  Genuine acceptance of group norms
• What is identification in terms of conformity?

  Change to fit in with a valued group
• What is normative social influence?

  Conforming to fit in and avoid rejection
• What is informational social influence?

  Conforming to gain accurate information
• What are the two central human needs that drive conformity?

  Need to be right and need to be liked
• How does normative social influence typically manifest?

  As compliance with temporary behavior change
• How does informational social influence typically manifest?

  As internalization of group norms
• What are the three types of conformity?

  • Compliance: Superficial change for approval
  • Internalization: Genuine acceptance of norms
  • Identification: Change to fit in with a valued group
• What are the explanations for conformity?

  • Normative social influence: Conforming to fit in
  • Informational social influence: Conforming for accurate information
• What are the strengths and limitations of Asch's study?

  Strengths:

  • High control increases reliability
  • Research support for task difficulty

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Low ecological validity
  • Limited demographic applicability
  • Ethical issues with deception
• What is the fundamental role of the theory discussed in the study material?

  Understanding group dynamics and social behaviour
• What does informational social influence refer to?

  Conforming due to perceived accurate information
• Why do people conform in ambiguous situations?

  They look to others for guidance