asch conformity

describe Asch’s original study

Asch’s three lines test investigated whether Ps would conform to a majority view when the view was obviously wrong (non-ambiguous). He used the three lines test which involved 3 comparison lines of various lengths, one of which matched a target line.

123 American male undergraduate students were used with each participant completing 18 trials. 7 confederates (stooges) were used with the genuine participant seated in the penultimate position. On 12 ‘critical’ trials, the stooges were instructed to give a unanimous incorrect response.

The naïve participant gave a wrong answer 36.8% of the time with 78% of Ps conforming to the majority on at least one occasion. Asch concluded that groups exert pressure on an individual to conform to the majority view. As Ps referred to the need to avoid ridicule  and rejection in interviews afterwards, this supported the view of NSI.

describe the variations that were completed

Asch completed a number of variations to his original study:

Group size – conformity increased to 31.8% when there was a group size of 3 but didn’t increase as group size increased suggesting that conformity can occur when there is a small majority.

Unanimity – the presence of a dissenter from the group led to conformity rates decreasing by ¼ compared with the unanimous condition. This person offers social support and reduces NSI and ISI.

Task difficulty – conformity increased when the comparison lines were closely matched to the target line, making the situation more ambiguous. ISI therefore increased.

define conformity

a change in behaviour or belief as a result of a real or imagined group pressure

what are the different types of conformity

compliance identification and internalisation

Describe what compliance is and what causes it

The shallowest level of conformity in which the individual changes their behaviour to fit in with the group/ avoid rejection. They don’t necessarily privately agree with the behaviour or belief but they do agree publicly . Compliance is not permeant it lasts only as long as the group is present. Compliance is generally cause by normative social influence

Describe what identification is and what causes it

The intermediate level of conformity the individual adopts the behaviour or beliefs of a group. The individual may or may not privately agree. They accept the groups norms out of a desire for a relationship or association with the group rather than a genuine internal agreement with everything the group stands for . This is linked to social identity where an individuals sense of who they are is based on their group membership

Describe what internalisation is and what causes it

The deepest level of conformity the individual accepts the behaviour or belief of the majority publicly and privately and it becomes part of the majority publicly and privately it becomes part of their belief system. Internalisation is a permanent form of conformity continuing even if the majority group is no longer present. Internalisation is most likely due to informational social influence

what are the different explanations for conformity

NSI and ISI

NSI

This is conforming to the majority to avoid rejection or being seen as outcast this is driven by a desire to be liked and gain social approval. As NSI is motivated by emotional reasons the resulting change in view or behaviour is superficial and temporary

ISI

is conforming to the majority because of a desire to be correct in situations where the right actions or belief is uncertain. ISI is driven by the belief that other have more knowledge or correct information. ISI is motivated by cognitive reasons resulting in a change of view or behaviour ids genuine and permanent