discuss variables affecting conformity

Question 1

who studied conformity?

Answer 1

asch

Question 2

what variables did he investigate?

Answer 2

group size, unaminity and task difficulty

Question 3

what happened when changing group size from 1 confederate to 3 confederates?

Answer 3

with 1 confederate conformity was at 3% with 3 it when to 32%

Question 4

what happened when unanimity was broken?

Answer 4

conformity dropped
- if one confederate gave the correct answer it dropped to around 5%

Question 5

what happened when the task difficulty increased?

Answer 5

conformity increased

Question 6

why did more people conform when task difficulty increased?

Answer 6

ISI

Question 7

who found research support for task difficulty?

Answer 7

Lucas et el
found more people conformed when maths problems were harder

Question 8

what is the disadvantage of his study being a lab study?

Answer 8

-it lacks ecological validity
- all male sample
- is not generalisable

Question 9

why does the study lack temporal validity?

Answer 9

• the study took place in 1950s America
• highly conformist at the time

Question 10

why does it lack cultural relavistm?

Answer 10

• smith and bond
• collectivist cultures ie china, higher conformity rates than individualistic ones ie uk

Question 11

how can it be applied to real life?

Answer 11

gives us insight into social dynamics

Question 12

does the study contain ethical issues?

Answer 12

yes, deception and psychological stress