Social Influence: Key Studies

Question 1

Asch (1956): Procedure

Answer 1

• 123 male US undergraduates
• real p sat second to last
• asked to say which comparison line matched standard line
• 12 critical trials confederates said wrong answer

Question 2

Asch: Findings

Answer 2

• 33% conformity rate on 12 critical trials
• 25% never conformed
• 50% conformed on 6 or more
• 5% conformed every time
• 75% conformed at least once

Question 3

Milgram: Findings

Answer 3

• 65% went to maximum volts (450)
• all went to 300 volts

Question 4

Moscovici: Procedure

Answer 4

• 4 naive ps
• 2 confederates
• shown series of blue slides asked to judge colour
• in consistent condition cs said green on every trial
• in inconsisten condition cs said green on 2/3 trials
• in control condition with no cs ps said blue throughout

Question 5

Moscovici: Findings

Answer 5

• consistent: ps said green on over 8% of trials
• inconsistent: little influence