Conformity research : Asch and Zimbardo

• briefly Outline three findings from Aschs research into conformity

  75 % of pps conformed at least once

  25 % never conformed
• explain one limitation of Aschs research into conformity

  lacks mundane realism Aschs task was artificial and took place with strangers conforming in the real world usually occurs with people you’re familiar with
• Briefly outline how two variables investigated by Asch were found to affect conformity

  the removal of a dissenter increased conformity

  task difficulty making the sticks more similar in length increased conformity
• What was the aim of Aschs experiment

  To explore conformity in an experimental setting to see if an individual will give a blatantly incorrect answer dud to the majority
• how many pps did Asch have

  125
• How many trials did each pp go through in Aschs study , how many were critical and control

  18 trials in total

  12 critical trials

  6 control trials
• Briefly outline the procedure of Aschs line study

  Research method - laboratory

  Sampling technique - volunteer ( response to an AD )

  5-7 confederates in a group

  Arranged in way so participant always went last

  The had to match a given stick length to an another out of a range of sizes , answers were given verbally .
• Asch suggested three situational factors that affect conformity in his experiment

  1 group size

  2 unanimity / social support

  3 task difficulty
• Describe Aschs results when he altered group size

  conformity increased from to three confederates from 3 % to 32 %

  When the majority / number of confederates increased conformity levels stayed relatively the same
• What conclusion can be reached about conformity when looking at Aschs variation on group size

  Very small majorities are easier to resist than larger ones

  But influence doesn’t keep increasing with majority size after a point
• Describe the results of the experiment when Asch altered unanimity

  one confederate gave the right answer conformity as low as 5 %

  ( gain an ally )
• What conclusion can be reached on the effects of unanimity in Aschs variations

  Confidence increases when

  1 a supporter is present

  OR

  2 majority is not unanimous
• describe the results found when Asch made the task more difficult

  making the lines more similar in length increases conformity

  and individuals confidence can decrease

  ISI is used and pp looks to majority for information
• Explain one limitation of zimbardos research into social roles (3)

  investigator bias

  zimbardo playing a dual role / participant observer

  His own behaviour affected the way in which events unfolded , therefore the validity of the findings can be questioned
• Describe the procedure of zimbardos research into social roles (6)

  observational study in basement at stanford university

  24 US male student volunteers

  paid 15 dollars a day

  Randomly assigned role of prisoner or guard

  Prisoners unexpectedly arrested at home

  Planned duration was 2 weeks but stopped after 6 days
• Briefly outline 3 findings from Aschs research into conformity

  5 % conformed everytime

  Increasing task difficulty increased conformity

  Individual differences eg highly confident individuals conformed less

  Presence of a dissenter who did not conform reduced conformity ( to 5 %)
• Explain temporal validity as a limitation of Aschs research into conformity (3)

  : findings may not be relevant today - outcome may have been influenced by social attitudes of 1950 s - post war attitudes that people should work together and consent rather than dissent
• Explain ecological validity as a limitation of Aschs research (3)

  research done in a lab / controlled conditions so behaviour may not represent real world conformity
• Zimbardos study resulted in the emotional distress of pps with one experiencing psychosomatic symptoms
• Limitation of zimbardos study

  beta bias - study only consists of male students = IOG
• Limitation of zimbardos study

  Artificial environment - creates IOG and demand characteristics as the setting isn’t true to life and pps may have looked for cues
• Investigator bias in zimbardos study

  Zimbardos was an active pp as prison superintendent and lost sight of the study
• evaluate zimbardos sampling technique

  volunteer sample

  (+) time efficient

  (-) sample made of pp with similar characteristics such as outgoing and eager
• How did zimbardo justify / rectify ethical issues

  Pps were given a debrief at the end of the observation

  Deception - required to acquire valid results within observation
• Aschs experiment is reliable and reproducible - variations
• Evaluate Aschs sampling technique

  volunteer sampling

  (+) time efficient and pps happy to take part

  (-) sample consists of people with similar personalities
• Limitations of Asch

  Lab - D.C

  Biased / unrepresentative sample - only men

  Repeated measures 18 trials per 125 pps = order effects

  Lacks eco val - asked to judge a line is not reflective of real life
• temporal validity - Asch

  limitation - may not reflect today

  done in 1950’s people naturally conservative, post war

  People more compliant

  Findings may not inform of conformity in current society