Social Influence
Study Aim Procedures Findings Evaluation
Conformity
Jenness Informational Asked Ps to estimate the number There was a distinct shift towards /
social influence of jellybeans in a jar individually the group estimate.
and then discuss their estimates
within a group. They were then
asked individually for a second
estimate.
Schultz Normative social A normative message was shown Hotel guests reduce their own /
influence to hotel guests: majority reused towel use.
their towels each day instead of
requesting fresh towels.
Asch Conformity 123 American male students were Average rate of conforming: 32% + high internal validity
recruited(1 P, 7 Cs) to participate 74% of Ps conformed at least - lacks population validity
in a line judgement task. Each once - lacks temporal validity
person had to state aloud which V-group size: - lacks ecological validity
line was the same length as the one other person(3%), two other - ethical issues
target line. The real P sat at the people(14%)
end of the row and gave his V-unanimity: when a dissenter is
answer last. In 18 trials, the Cs present(5%)
gave the wrong answer on 12 V-difficulty of task: conforming
critical trials. rate increases
V-anwers in private: 12%
Obedience
Milgram Obedience 40 American males volunteered 100% of Ps shocked up to 300 + research support
through a newspaper recruitment, volts. (Hoffling)
*Ps: participants
*Cs: confederates
*V: variation
Study Aim Procedures Findings Evaluation
Conformity
Jenness Informational Asked Ps to estimate the number There was a distinct shift towards /
social influence of jellybeans in a jar individually the group estimate.
and then discuss their estimates
within a group. They were then
asked individually for a second
estimate.
Schultz Normative social A normative message was shown Hotel guests reduce their own /
influence to hotel guests: majority reused towel use.
their towels each day instead of
requesting fresh towels.
Asch Conformity 123 American male students were Average rate of conforming: 32% + high internal validity
recruited(1 P, 7 Cs) to participate 74% of Ps conformed at least - lacks population validity
in a line judgement task. Each once - lacks temporal validity
person had to state aloud which V-group size: - lacks ecological validity
line was the same length as the one other person(3%), two other - ethical issues
target line. The real P sat at the people(14%)
end of the row and gave his V-unanimity: when a dissenter is
answer last. In 18 trials, the Cs present(5%)
gave the wrong answer on 12 V-difficulty of task: conforming
critical trials. rate increases
V-anwers in private: 12%
Obedience
Milgram Obedience 40 American males volunteered 100% of Ps shocked up to 300 + research support
through a newspaper recruitment, volts. (Hoffling)
*Ps: participants
*Cs: confederates
*V: variation
