Variables affecting conformity
ASCHS CONFORMITY
123 male American undergraduates in groups of 6; consisting of 1 true participant
Participants
and 5 confederates (actors/people in on the experiment)
Aim To investigate conformity and majority influence
Participants and confederates were presented with 4 lines; 3 comparison
lines and 1 standard line
They asked to state which of three lines was the same length as a stimulus
line
Procedure The real participant always answered last or second to last
Confederates would give the same incorrect answer for 12 out of 18 trials
Asch observed how often the participant would give the same incorrect
answer as the confederates versus the correct answer
36.8% conformed
25% never conformed
Findings
75% conformed at least once
Asch interviewed participants after study to find out why they conformed
Most participants said they knew their answers were incorrect but went
conclusion along with the group in order to fit in.
This confirms that participants conform due to NSI
Factors affecting conformity
ASCHS CONFORMITY
123 male American undergraduates in groups of 6; consisting of 1 true participant
Participants
and 5 confederates (actors/people in on the experiment)
Aim To investigate conformity and majority influence
Participants and confederates were presented with 4 lines; 3 comparison
lines and 1 standard line
They asked to state which of three lines was the same length as a stimulus
line
Procedure The real participant always answered last or second to last
Confederates would give the same incorrect answer for 12 out of 18 trials
Asch observed how often the participant would give the same incorrect
answer as the confederates versus the correct answer
36.8% conformed
25% never conformed
Findings
75% conformed at least once
Asch interviewed participants after study to find out why they conformed
Most participants said they knew their answers were incorrect but went
conclusion along with the group in order to fit in.
This confirms that participants conform due to NSI
Factors affecting conformity
