AO3 Asch

• Asch’s conformity study was a laboratory experiment, which allowed control of potential confounding variables. Therefore, it has high internal validity
• The study has been criticised for low ecological validity. the task used is artificial and quite different from how we experience conformity in our daily lives
• There is a lack of generalisability to a wider population as the sample consisted of only male, American students
• The findings may not reflect conformity across cultures as the US is an individualistic culture. The degree of conformity would be high in collectivist cultures that have a greater emphasis on the group.
• The findings of the study was not the same when replicated. Perrin and Spencer replicated the study on a sample of UK Engineering students. Across 396 trials. only one participant conformed. It suggests that engineering students felt more confident about their abilities and therefore were less conformist
• Asch carried out his study in the 1950s which was an especially conformist time in America. Therefore it made sense to conform to establish social norms. However, society has changed a great deal since them and it doesn’t apply to the context now.
• What were some ethical issues of Asch’s study?

  The use of deception: thought they were taking part in a visual test experiment

  Lack of protection from harm: participants reported experiencing a fear of rejection or anxiety related to the pressure to conform