Asch - Variables Affecting Conformity AO3

• Asch's task was artificial-ic's possible it isn't a VALID measure of real-life conformity where conformity takes place in a SOCIAL CONTEXT and often with people we know rather than Strangers
• Group size may not have such an effect in this situation
• Asch did a variation with 15 confedercues, and conformity actually dropped slightly - possibly because participants were [SUSPICIOUS] of the experiment and not because of the group size
• Asch's research into variations could be a 'child of its time' The outcome may have been influenced by social attitudes of the 1950-post-war attitudes that people should work TOGETHER and consent, rather than dissent
• When PERRIN + SPENCER repeated it with ENGINEERING students in the 1980s they found conformity was VASTLY reduced, although this was probably more to do with INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES and engineering Students were more confident with perceptual judgements
• Asch's SAMPLE lacked POPULATION VALIDITY and results from the variations may not reflect wider society
• Asch's original sample was mostly made up of white, middle class, male Students and may not reflect the behaviour of people noc in those groups
• A VOLUNTEER Sample may also be more willing and exhibit DEMAND) characteristics
• Other research has backed up TASK DIFFICULTY-LUCAS found conformity higher on hard maths question compared to 'easy' suggesting Some of Aschis suggestion may carry weight