AO3 - Variables Affecting Conformity

• Research to support variables affecting conformity was conducted by Lucas et al. He asked students to solve 'easy' and 'hard' maths problems, participants were given three answers from other fake students. It was found that participants conformed more when the problems were difficult rather than easy. Therefore supporting Asch's research into task difficulty as a variable affecting conformity because it shows that when the task is harder, conformity rates increase.
• One limitation of Asch's research into variables affecting conformity is that it can be criticised for gender bias, as an androcentric sample was used (only males). This makes it difficult to generalise the findings to females as it was suggested that females may be more conformist as they are more concerned about social relationships and being liked by their peers (Neto). Therefore weakening the external validity of Asch's research into variables affecting conformity because factors such as gender may determine someone's level of conformity.
• Furthermore, Asch's research into variables affecting conformity can be criticised for culture bias as it was conducted in America (western culture) and consisted of an all American participant sample. This makes it difficult to generalise the findings to a non-western culture, such as China where social groups are more important than the individual so they may be more likely to conform and agree to be liked by the group, instead of the effect of variables. Therefore weakening the external validity of Asch's research into variables affecting conformity.