Aschs Conformity Research/Variables Affecting Conformity

Question 1

What was Aschs aim method and sample?

Answer 1

Asch investigated the effects of a majoritys opinion on individual judgements using a lab experiment with 123 american male students.

Question 2

What was Aschs procedure?

Answer 2

• control group of 36 ppts were indv tested w out confederates
• ppts placed into groups with 7 - 9 confederates
• shown two cards, one with standard line x and other with three comparison lines (A,B,C)
• one of the comparison lines was the same length as standard line x but other 2 were clearly wrong
• ppts asked to state which line was the same length, they were always last or second to last to answer
• on 12/18 trials, confederates gave same wrong answers

Question 3

What were Aschs findings and conclusions?

Answer 3

• real ppts gave wrong answer 37% of the time when confederate was present
• post exp interviews found maj of ppts conformed publicly during exp but not privately as they wanted to avoid ridicule
• therefore this supports NSI as ppts conformed publicly not privately in order to be accepted by group

Question 4

Who conducted research into variables of conformity?

Answer 4

Asch

Question 5

What are the three variables Asch investigated?

Answer 5

Group Size
Unanimity
Task Difficulty

Question 6

Describe Aschs findings into the variable group size

Answer 6

Conformity rates inc as group size inc, however this effect stops once group reaches a certain size
- one ppt + one confederate = conf was 3%
- one ppt + two confederate = conf inc to 13%
- one ppt + three confederate = conf inc to 32%
- however conf plateaued after this
- suggesting size of maj has effect on conf but upto a certain point

Question 7

Describe Aschs findings into the variable unanimity

Answer 7

Unanimity means complete agreement from a group about an answer/viewpoint
- original study - ppts all gave same wrong answer = conf was 37%
- however in the variable where one confederate gave correct answer throughout = conf dropped to 5.5%
- in variable where a lone confederate gave a diff answer completely = conf dropped to 9%
- therefore when a dissenter breaks groups unanimous position, conf dec

Question 8

Describe Aschs findings into the variable task difficulty

Answer 8

Conf inc when task difficulty inc
- when asch made standard line and comparison lines more similar in length so correct answer was less obvious and task difficulty inc = conf rates inc
- suggesting ISI plays a greater role when task becomes harder as we look to others for guidance
- as the right answer becomes less obvious, we lose confidence in our own ability so more likely to conform

Question 9

What are the three AO3 points to evaluate Aschs variables affecting conformity?

Answer 9

RTS - Lucas Et Al
Counter argument - more complex
Gender bias