AO3 - Explanations for Conformity

• Research to support NSI as an explanation of conformity was conducted by Asch. Participants were asked to state whether line a, b, or c was closest in length to the stimulus line 'x.' Confederates answered first and gave the wrong answer. It was found that participants conformed by saying the same wrong answer as the confederate 37% of the time. Therefore supporting NSI as an explanation of conformity because the task was ambiguous and participants stated that they knew the correct answer but conformed to avoid ridicule from the group, which is what NSI suggests
• However, Asch's research to support NSI as an explanation for conformity can be criticised for gender bias as it used an androcentric sample. This makes it difficult to generalise the findings to females as it is suggested that females may conform more as they are more concerned about social relationships and being liked by peers more than males (Neto). Therefore weakening the external validity of Asch's research into NSI as an explanation for conformity because it is suggested that females may conform more than males.
• Research to support ISI as an explanation for conformity was conducted by Jenness. Participants were asked to privately estimate the number of jellybeans in a jar, decide on a group estimate, then take another private estimate. It was found that participants' second private estimate was significantly closer to the group estimate, than their own. Therefore supporting ISI as an explanation for conformity because when the participants were unsure of the answer, they sought information from the group and assumed it was right, which is what ISI suggests.
• However, Jenness' research to support ISI as an explanation for conformity lacks ecological validity because the experiment took place in an artificial environment of a lab. This makes it difficult to generalise the findings to real life situations of ISI where people may be less likely to conform due to consequences for their actions, unlike in a lab setting. Therefore reducing ISI as an explanation for conformity and questions it as an explanation.