Lesson 4: Variables affecting conformity as researched by Asch

Question 1

What are the 3 variables affecting conformity as researched by Asch?

Answer 1

Group size
Unanimity of the majority
Task difficulty

Question 2

How does group size affect conformity?

Answer 2

• little conformity if one or two confederates in majority
• increased to 30% when majority of 3 confederates
• further increase didn’t affect conformity; group size only important up to a point

Question 3

How does the unanimity of the majority affect conformity?

Answer 3

When all confederates conform to one wrong answer, the pp is more likely to conform. The pp is much less likely to conform even if there is one break in the chain (regardless of if this other answer is right or wrong)

Question 4

How does task difficulty affect conformity?

Answer 4

When the differences between the lines were smaller so it was more difficult, conformity was higher.

Question 5

Asch study temporal validity

Answer 5

Perrin and Spencer (1980) repeated Asch’s experiment later and saw conformity rates drop in the line experiment meaning Asch’s findings do not hold up over time.

Question 6

Asch study ecological validity

Answer 6

• may have shown demand characteristics
• line task not applicable to real world so study may not be valid

Question 7

Asch study population validity

Answer 7

• only male undergrad pps
• bond and smith (1996) said US has individualistic culture where people worry about themselves so conformity less likely compared to collectivist culture like china

Question 8

Asch study ethical issues

Answer 8

• deceived pps since they didn’t know group had confederates
• deception could’ve led to psychological harm
• debate whether debriefing makes up for deception