social influence

What was the aim of Asch's study?

To investigate if people would conform to the opinions of others and knowingly give an incorrect answer.

What was the method of Asch's study?

Groups of 7-9 people were shown 4 lines (1 standard, 3 comparison).Asked to say which comparison line matched the standard

• Only one real participant, others were confederates

• Confederates deliberately gave wrong answers

• Real participant answered last

What were the results of Asch's study?

36.8% of participants gave incorrect answers to match the group

• 76% conformed at least once

• Only 24% never conformed

• Error rate was less than 1% when tested alone

What were the strengths of Asch's study?

What were the strengths of Asch's study? A: - Demonstrated clear evidence of conformity in group settings

• Laboratory setting allowed control of variables

• Standardized procedures made replication possible

• Findings have been confirmed through replications

What were the weaknesses of Asch's study?

Lacked ecological validity (artificial laboratory setting)

• Task was contrived and lacked personal significance

• Culturally biased (all American participants)

• Results may not generalize to real-world situations

What was the aim of Milgram's study?

To explore whether ordinary people would obey authority figures even when required to harm an innocent person.

What was the method of Milgram's study?

Participants were told they were part of a learning/punishment study where 'teachers' shocked 'learners' for wrong answers, shocks ranged from 15v to 450v. experimenter gave orders to continue

• Learner stopped responding at 315v

What were the predictions before Milgram's study?

Psychiatrists predicted only 1.2% would go to maximum voltage; most believed it would end before 300v. yale students predicted tiny fraction would give maximum shock

What were the results of Milgram's study?

65% of participants continued to maximum 450v; all participants reached at least 300v. Only 12.5% stopped at learner's first objection

• Results contradicted expert predictions

What is Milgram's Agency Theory based on the study?

People enter an 'agentic state' when following authority, transfer responsibility to authority figures This is learned through childhood socialization and may suspend moral judgment.

What was the aim of Piliavin's study?

To investigate whether a victim's appearance would influence whether people helped or not.

What was the method of Piliavin's study?

Field experiment in New York subway with an actor collapsing under two conditions: drunk and sober with cane. actor collapsed in train carriage

• Two conditions:

  1. Drunk condition (38 trials): smelling of alcohol with bottle

  2. Cane condition (65 trials): sober with walking stick

• Researchers recorded help frequency and speed

What were the results of Piliavin's study?

Cane condition resulted in 95% help within 70 seconds, drunk condition 50% help within 70 seconds Clear difference in helping based on victim's appearance

What were the strengths of Piliavin's study?

Natural setting increased ecological validity;

Real people unaware of study (no demand characteristics)

• Demonstrated how victim characteristics affect helping

• Findings applicable to real-world situations

What were the weaknesses of Piliavin's study?

A: - Culturally biased (American sample)

• May not generalize to other cultures/settings

• Ignored personality variables

• Contradicted diffusion of responsibility findings

• Ethical issues (deception, lack of consent)