Social Influence: Asch and variables affecting conformity (AO1) Flashcards
(13 cards)
What was the aim of Asch’s (1956) classic line study?
To investigate the extent to which social pressure from a majority group could affect a person to conform.
What was the method of Asch’s (1956) classic line study?
Lab experiment.
What was the sample of Asch’s (1956) classic line study?
123 male undergraduate students from the USA.
What was the procedure of Asch’s (1956) classic line study?
The participants were given a false aim that they were taking part in a vision test. There was only one real (naïve) participant in groups of 6-8 confederates. Each group was shown two cards, one with a standard line, and another with three comparison lines. Participants had to state which comparison line matched the original standard line. The naïve participant always answered second to last in the group. Of 18 trials, 12 were critical (where confederates gave incorrect answers).
What were the findings of Asch’s (1956) classic line study?
The naïve participant gave the same incorrect answer as the confederates 36.8% of the time. 25% of participants did not conform at all, so 75% of participants conformed at least once. This is known as the Asch Effect. In the control group, only 1% of participants conformed.
What was the conclusion of Asch’s (1956) line study?
People do conform (even in unambiguous tasks) in order to fit in and not be rejected by the group. This study demonstrated NSI.
Which three variables of conformity did Asch test?
Group size, unanimity, and task difficulty.
How did Asch test for the effect of group size on conformity rate?
The number of confederates varied from 1 to 15 in a group.
What were the findings on the effect of group size on conformity rate?
Conformity rates increased with the number of confederates up to a maximum of 32% with 3 confederates. There was little change in the conformity rate when the number of confederates increased above 3. However, the conformity rate dropped at 13-15 confederates, likely because the participants became suspicious of the experiment.
How did Asch test for the effect of unanimity on conformity rate?
Instead of all confederates giving the same incorrect answer, one confederate gave the correct answer or a different incorrect answer.
What were the findings on the effect of broken unanimity on conformity rate?
When the confederate gave the correct answer, the conformity rate dropped to 5.5%. This demonstrates that if the naïve participant has support for their belief, they are much more likely to resist the pressure to conform.
When the confederate gave a different incorrect answer, the conformity rate dropped to 9%. This suggests that when group unanimity is broken, conformity is reduced.
How did Asch test for the effect of task difficulty on conformity rate?
The difference between the line lengths was made significantly smaller.
What were the findings on the effect of task difficulty on conformity rate?
When the difference between line lengths was made smaller (ie the task became more difficult), the rate of conformity increased. This suggests that ISI plays a greater role when the task becomes more difficult. This is because the situation is more ambiguous, so we are more likely to look to other people for guidance.
