Ash’s study

• What was asch’s aim ?

  To see if people would conform even when the answer was obvious
• What was the procedure ?

  • 123 American male undergrads
  • each tested individually amongst 6-8 confederates
  • sat last but 1
  • took part in 18 trials wrong answer given on 12
  • shown 2 white cards
  • one had a black line other had 3 comparison lines
  • asked which line matches
  • confederates gave correct answer on first few then gave wrong
  • all confederates gave a unanimous answer
• What were asch’s findings ?

  • gave wrong answer 36.8 % of time
  • 25% not at all
  • 75% at least once
• Evaluation of study ?

  • sample
  • ethical
  • control/standerdised procedure
  • demand characteristics
  • investigator bias
  • ecological validity
  • application