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Asch (1951) conformity research (Artificial situation and task (Findings…
Asch (1951) conformity research
May be 'child of times'
Perrin and Spencer (1980) found one conforming response in 396 trials.
Ppts (UK engineering students) felt more confident measuring lines than ppts in Asch's study - less conformist.
1950s was conformist time in America
People might be less likely to conform in decades afterwards.
Asch effect not consistent over time
Not enduring feature of human behaviour
Artificial situation and task
Ppts knew they were in study
Demand characteristics
Line task was trivial
No reason not to conform
Naïve ppts in a group
Not like groups found in everyday life
Findings don't generalise to everyday situations
Where consequences of conformity are important
Where we interact with groups more directly
Findings only apply to certain groups
Asch only sampled men.
Evidence suggests women might be more conformist
More concerned about social relationships - being accepted
Ppts from USA (individualist culture)
People more concerned with themselves rather than social group
Conformity rates higher in collectivist cultures e.g. China
More concerned with social group needs
Suggests conformity rates are sometimes higher than Asch found
Findings may be limited to American men
Findings only apply to certain situations
Ppts answered out loud and were in room with group of strangers - wanted to impress.
Research found conformity was higher when majority was friends.
Asch effect varied depending on circumstances
Ethical issues
Naïve ppts were deceived
Thought confederates were genuine
Benefits of study outweigh ethical issues
Highlighting people's susceptibility to group conformity and variables affecting it.