Variables affecting conformity

Question 1

what was Asch’s study about?

Answer 1

normative social influence

- the pps were influenced by situational factors

Question 2

what are the three situational variables in Asch’s study?

Answer 2

• task difficulty
• unanimity
• Group size

Question 3

Group size - linking to Asch’s study (with one real pps)

Answer 3

1 confederate - low conformity rates
2 confederates - 13%
3 confederates - 32%
more than 3 - no further effect on conformity rates

Question 4

Unanimity - link to Asch’s study

Answer 4

cr decline when the majority is not in agreement

- if one dissenter went against the majority = cr went from 32% to 5.5%

Question 5

Task difficulty - what did Asch do and what effect did it have on cr?

Answer 5

Ash made the task harder - more lines/different sizes

conformity rates increased - people are more likely to conform if they’re less confident in their answer