Variables Affecting Conformity

Question 1

Define conformity

Answer 1

Form of social influence that occurs when pps beh/op change as a result of pressure from an individual or group

This pressure can be real or imagined

Question 2

What were the 3 variables Asch tested?

Answer 2

1. Group Size
2. Unanimity
3. Task Difficulty

Question 3

How did Asch test group size?

Answer 3

Varying the number of confederates from 1-15

Question 4

What were the findings of the group size variation?

Answer 4

Curvelinear relationship of group size and conformity rates (up to a point)

1 conf. = 3%

2 conf. = 13%

3 conf. = 32%

Question 5

What did Asch conclude about group size?

Answer 5

Most sensitive to views of others bcs just 1/2 conf. swayed by op.

May be? =social approval, belong

Question 6

How did Asch test unanimity?

Answer 6

Putting confederates that disagreed with others

Question 7

What were the findings of the unanimity variation?

Answer 7

Conformity rates were lower in the presence of a dissenter

1/4 less level when conf. unanimous

Also true when a dissenter disagrees with the pp

Question 8

What did Asch conclude about unanimity?

Answer 8

When unanimity is broken, gives confidence to be. individually/independantly from the group

May be? = need for acceptance

Question 9

How did Asch test task difficulty?

Answer 9

Increase the difficulty by making the stimulus and comparison lines to be similar in length

Question 10

What were the findings of the task difficulty variation?

Answer 10

When task difficulty increased, conformity rates increased

Question 11

What did Asch conclude about task difficulty?

Answer 11

Ppl look for guidance when unsure + assume the group is more knowledgeable

May be? = wish/need to be right

Question 12

AO3: Strength = RS

Answer 12

TIB… Lucas = pp high conformity to wrong answer when the maths questions were hard

Counter… conformity more complex = individual confidence in maths ability

TICBAT… TD lacks validity = fails influence of DF on CR

Question 13

AO3: Limitation = Artificial Task

Answer 13

TIB… aware res study so going along w/ what think expected = trivial nature

TIPB… limits extent generalise to RL = Friske = argue groups assigned not reflective of groups RL no familiarity

TICBAT… difficult gen findings

Question 14

AO3: Limitation = CD

Answer 14

TIB… high conformity rates in CC (C + K) than compared to IC (UK + US) = could be bcs CC view conformity more favourably as it binds communities

TIPB… S+B found av. CR in IC = 25% compared to 37% in CC while doing AT studies

TICBAT… culturally biased = fails reflection of CD + importance of conformity