A03 - Social Influence - Asch And Variables Affecting Conformity

Question 1

Evaluating Asch: using a biased sample

Answer 1

• 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.

Question 2

Evaluating Asch: low ecological validity.

Answer 2

• 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.

Question 3

Evaluating Asch: lacks historical validity.

Answer 3

• 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.

Question 4

Evaluating Asch: ethically questionable

Answer 4

• 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.