Podcast
Questions and Answers
When did Asch devise his classic experiment?
When did Asch devise his classic experiment?
1951
What was Asch's initial aim?
What was Asch's initial aim?
To investigate how people conformed in an unambiguous situation.
What was Asch's independent variable (IV)?
What was Asch's independent variable (IV)?
The answers given by the confederates.
What was Asch's dependent variable (DV)?
What was Asch's dependent variable (DV)?
What did Asch mean by an 'unambiguous situation'?
What did Asch mean by an 'unambiguous situation'?
What are confederates?
What are confederates?
Within each of Asch's trials, how many confederates did Asch recruit?
Within each of Asch's trials, how many confederates did Asch recruit?
How many participants did Asch recruit and what characteristics did they have in common?
How many participants did Asch recruit and what characteristics did they have in common?
How many trials did each participant take part in?
How many trials did each participant take part in?
Explain the process required for Asch to test conformity.
Explain the process required for Asch to test conformity.
How many true participants conformed at least once?
How many true participants conformed at least once?
What did Asch find to be the average conformity rate across the 18 trials?
What did Asch find to be the average conformity rate across the 18 trials?
Why did 75% of the participants conform at least once?
Why did 75% of the participants conform at least once?
What was the purpose of Asch conducting variations of his original study?
What was the purpose of Asch conducting variations of his original study?
How many variations did Asch conduct within his experiment?
How many variations did Asch conduct within his experiment?
Name and briefly outline Asch's first variation.
Name and briefly outline Asch's first variation.
Name and briefly outline Asch's second variation.
Name and briefly outline Asch's second variation.
Name and briefly outline Asch's third variation.
Name and briefly outline Asch's third variation.
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Study Notes
Solomon Asch's Experiment Overview
- Conducted in 1951 to explore conformity in clear situations.
- Focused on how individuals adapt opinions based on group pressure.
Research Design
- Independent variable included the answers provided by confederates.
- Dependent variable measured the level of conformity among participants.
- Utilized a scenario with a standard line and three comparison lines for participants to match.
Participants and Confederates
- Included 123 male undergraduate students as participants.
- Engaged between six to eight confederates per trial.
- Each participant participated in 18 total trials, with 12 being critical trials with incorrect responses.
Conformity Findings
- 75% of participants conformed at least once, indicating strong peer influence.
- Average conformity rate was 36.8% across trials.
Reasons for Conformity
- Distortion of perception led some to see lines as the majority did.
- Distortion of judgement caused doubt in personal accuracy.
- Distortion of action saw participants change responses to avoid conflict.
- Fear of rejection influenced some to conform instead of standing out.
Variations of the Experiment
- Conducted three variations to assess factors influencing conformity rates.
Variation 1: Group Size
- Tested effect of group size on conformity levels.
- Found conformity peaked at 31.8% with three or more confederates; larger groups showed diminishing returns.
- Optimal group size determined to be three confederates.
Variation 2: Unanimity of the Majority
- Introduced a dissenter among confederates, reducing conformity rates by about 25%.
- Presence of a dissenting voice empowered participants to act independently.
Variation 3: Difficulty of the Task
- Increased difficulty in matching lines led to higher conformity rates as comparisons became less distinct.
Conclusion
- Asch's research revealed significant insights into the dynamics of social influence and conformity under varying conditions.
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