Asch’s study

Outline of Asch’s study

• 123 Male, American participants 

• Participants were in groups of 6-8

• Only one was a real participant the rest were confederates

• Each participant saw 3 lines and a comparison line and had to say which of the comparison lines was the same 

• The confederates all gave the same scripted answer 

Findings

36.8% of participants conformed and gave the incorrect answer 

25% of participants did not conform 

Asch’s variations 

• Unanimity

• Group size

• Task difficulty

Group size

• Varied the group of confederates from 1-15

• Conformity increased with group size but only up to three confederates

• Conformity rate of one confederate was 3%, two confederates was 13%, three confederates was 31%

Unanimity

• A non conforming person, a confederate who disagrees with the other confederates was added

• Participant confirmed less in the presence of a dissenter

Task difficulty

Increased the difficulty of the line by making the lines similar. Conformity increased due to ambiguity(ISI).

Evaluation of Asch’s experiment

1. Validity- was not a task that would be done everyday so it lacks mundane realism

• Lacks low ecological validity and doesn’t apply to everyday situations 

1. Not generalisable- participants were American men so other researchers may suggest women may confirm more 

• Us individualist culture as people makes them more concerned about themselves