Podcast
Questions and Answers
What factor significantly reduces conformity rates according to the findings?
What factor significantly reduces conformity rates according to the findings?
Increased task difficulty results in lower conformity rates.
Increased task difficulty results in lower conformity rates.
False
What is the phenomenon called where individuals look to others for guidance in ambiguous situations?
What is the phenomenon called where individuals look to others for guidance in ambiguous situations?
Informational social influence
The presence of a __________ reduces conformity levels significantly.
The presence of a __________ reduces conformity levels significantly.
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Match the following concepts with their descriptions:
Match the following concepts with their descriptions:
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Which issue limits the generalizability of Asch's study results?
Which issue limits the generalizability of Asch's study results?
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Asch's study primarily involved participants from diverse backgrounds.
Asch's study primarily involved participants from diverse backgrounds.
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What is conformity?
What is conformity?
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Asch's study showed that participants always conformed to the confederates' incorrect answers.
Asch's study showed that participants always conformed to the confederates' incorrect answers.
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What was the average conformity rate observed in Asch's study?
What was the average conformity rate observed in Asch's study?
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The maximum conformity rate in Asch’s study was reached with _____ confederates.
The maximum conformity rate in Asch’s study was reached with _____ confederates.
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Which factors influence conformity according to Asch's studies?
Which factors influence conformity according to Asch's studies?
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In Asch's study, participants were always seated where in relation to confederates?
In Asch's study, participants were always seated where in relation to confederates?
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
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Conformity effects can lead to significant deviations from personal _____ and perceptions.
Conformity effects can lead to significant deviations from personal _____ and perceptions.
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Which type of conformity involves individuals accepting the majority view as correct, leading to a permanent change in both public and private behavior?
Which type of conformity involves individuals accepting the majority view as correct, leading to a permanent change in both public and private behavior?
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Identification involves individuals changing their behavior to fit in with a valued group, even if they fully agree with all of the group's beliefs.
Identification involves individuals changing their behavior to fit in with a valued group, even if they fully agree with all of the group's beliefs.
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What is the key difference between compliance and internalisation?
What is the key difference between compliance and internalisation?
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_________ is a superficial form of conformity where individuals outwardly agree with the group while privately disagreeing.
_________ is a superficial form of conformity where individuals outwardly agree with the group while privately disagreeing.
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Match the following types of conformity with their primary motivations:
Match the following types of conformity with their primary motivations:
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Which concept describes the tendency to rely on others for information, particularly in ambiguous situations, as a reason for conformity?
Which concept describes the tendency to rely on others for information, particularly in ambiguous situations, as a reason for conformity?
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Normative Social Influence (NSI) primarily leads to internalisation of the group's beliefs.
Normative Social Influence (NSI) primarily leads to internalisation of the group's beliefs.
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Give an example of a situation where Informational Social Influence (ISI) might play a role.
Give an example of a situation where Informational Social Influence (ISI) might play a role.
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Which of the following scenarios best illustrates normative social influence (NSI)?
Which of the following scenarios best illustrates normative social influence (NSI)?
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Asch's study showed that participants were less likely to conform when they could answer questions privately.
Asch's study showed that participants were less likely to conform when they could answer questions privately.
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What is one reason individuals conform to a group's beliefs or actions?
What is one reason individuals conform to a group's beliefs or actions?
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Researchers found that participants conformed more to incorrect answers in __________ situations.
Researchers found that participants conformed more to incorrect answers in __________ situations.
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Match the following studies with their primary focus:
Match the following studies with their primary focus:
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Study Notes
Conformity
- Conformity is a change in behaviour or opinions due to pressure from others, real or perceived (Aronson, 2011).
- It can take several forms, like compliance, identification, and internalization, depending on the type of influence.
- Factors like group size, unanimity, and task difficulty influence conformity, as seen in Asch's studies.
- Understanding conformity helps to analyze behaviors in various contexts, including peer pressure and cultural norms.
Asch's Baseline Procedure
- 123 American male participants were involved.
- Participants were placed in groups with confederates.
- Each participant viewed a standard line and three comparison lines, one matching the standard.
- Participants verbally identified the matching comparison line, with confederates giving incorrect answers.
- The genuine participant was always last or second to last.
- The experiment measured the degree of conformity by comparing participant answers to confederate answers.
Key Findings from the Baseline Study
- On average, genuine participants conformed to incorrect answers 36.8% of the time.
Variables Affecting Conformity: Group Size
- Asch varied the number of confederates (from 1 to 15) to study the effect on conformity.
- Conformity increased with group size, peaking with three confederates (31.8% conformity).
- Beyond three, conformity rates leveled off suggesting a diminishing effect.
- A small majority can significantly influence individual opinion, highlighting sensitivity to social influence
Variables Affecting Conformity: Unanimity
- Asch introduced a dissenting confederate to examine the effect of non-conformity.
- The presence of a dissenter reduced conformity rates drastically.
- The perception of unanimity is a powerful factor in social influence.
- Dissent empowers individuals to resist conformity.
- Individuals are more likely to conform when perceiving strong group consensus.
Variables Affecting Conformity: Task Difficulty
- Asch manipulated the difficulty of the line-judging task (by making lines more similar).
- Increased task difficulty led to increased conformity rates.
- Individuals look to others for guidance in ambiguous situations (informational social influence).
- Conformity is more likely when the correct answer is unclear.
- Asch's work showed interplay between task difficulty and social influence.
Evaluation of Asch's Research: Limitations
- The artificial nature of the task and setting raise questions about ecological validity.
- Participants knew they were part of a study, potentially impacting behaviour (demand characteristics).
- The trivial task may not reflect real-world consequences of conformity.
- The limited participant pool (American men) limits generalizability.
Research Support and Counterpoints
- Subsequent studies (e.g., Lucas et al., 2006) support Asch's findings regarding task difficulty and conformity.
- Lucas et al. also found that confidence levels affected conformity, demonstrating a more complex interaction than Asch initially proposed.
- Lucas et al. found that participants conformed more on difficult math problems.
- This reinforces the idea that task difficulty influences conformity.
- However, Lucas et al.'s research also indicated that individual confidence levels affected conformity. This suggests a more complex interaction than Asch initially proposed.
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Description
Explore the concept of conformity in psychology, detailing how behavior and opinions can change due to group pressure or social influence. This quiz covers Asch's baseline procedure and factors affecting conformity, essential for understanding peer pressure and cultural norms.
