A03 - Social Influence - Asch And Variables Affecting Conformity Flashcards

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1
Q

Evaluating Asch: using a biased sample

A
  • Used a bias sample of 123 male students from colleges in America.
  • Can’t generalise results to females/other populations as we don’t know if they’d conform in a similar way to males.
  • Asch’s sample lacks population validity - more research required to determine if males and females conform differently.
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2
Q

Evaluating Asch: low ecological validity.

A
  • Low levels of ecological validity.
  • The line judgement task is an artificial task; it doesn’t reflect conformity in real life meaning that the task lacks mundane realism.
  • Therefore, can’t generalise Asch’s results to other situations.
  • Results are limited in their application to everyday life.
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3
Q

Evaluating Asch: lacks historical validity.

A
  • Took place at particular time in US history - conformity higher and criticised as being ‘a child of its time.’
  • Since 1950 psychologists have tried to replicate Asch’s study.
  • E.g Perrin and Spencer (1980) used maths and engineering students and found lower levels of conformity.
  • Suggests Asch’s experiment lacks historical validity and conformity rates found in 1950 might not be an accurate reflection of conformity in modern times.
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4
Q

Evaluating Asch: ethically questionable

A
  • Asch’s research is ethnically questionable.
  • Broke several guidelines such as deception and protect from harm.
  • He deliberately deceived the participants by saying they were taking part in a vision test.
  • Although it’s unethical it was necessary for valid results.
  • Participants might’ve displayed demand characteristics if they knew true aim.
  • Participants not protected from harm - many reported feeling stressed when they disagreed with majority.
  • However, Asch interviewed participants after after experiment to overcome issue.
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