Paper 1- Conformity - Variations of Asch (1951) (AQA)
After Solomon Asch's groundbreaking research on conformity, subsequent studies have delved into various modifications of his line judgement task, shedding light on factors like group size, unanimity, and task difficulty. Let's explore these variations to grasp a more nuanced understanding of conformity.
Group Size: Unlocking the Dynamics
Asch expanded on his original experiment by investigating the impact of group size on conformity. The variations ranged from 1 confederate to 15 confederates. Astonishingly, with just one confederate, participants conformed on a mere 3% of critical trials. As the group size increased to two, conformity rose to 12.8%. However, the most intriguing finding was that with three confederates, the conformity rate reached 32%, matching the level observed in Asch's original experiment with seven confederates. This suggests that conformity peaks with a group as small as three.
Further probing into extremes, Asch conducted a condition with 15 confederates. Interestingly, the rate of conformity slightly dropped, though the exact percentage wasn't reported. Speculatively, this dip could be due to participant suspicion rather than a reduced pressure to conform in larger groups.
Unanimity: The Power of Dissent
In Asch's original experiment, all confederates provided the same incorrect answer. However, variations were introduced where one confederate consistently gave the correct answer or a different incorrect answer. When supported by a confederate providing the correct answer, the rate of conformity dropped significantly to 5%, highlighting the influence of social support in resisting conformity pressure.
In another twist, when a confederate dissented from the majority, offering a different incorrect answer, conformity still decreased, this time to 9%. Breaking the unanimous position of the group proved effective in reducing conformity, even if the dissenter's answer remained incorrect.
Task Difficulty: Adding Complexity to the Equation
Asch's original experiments featured tasks with obvious correct answers. However, in variations, he increased task difficulty by making the line length differences significantly smaller. Although the exact percentage wasn't reported, it was observed that the rate of conformity increased. This aligns with the idea of informational social influence, where individuals seek guidance from others when faced with a more challenging task.
In essence, these variations highlight the intricate dynamics of conformity. The size of the group, the presence of unanimity or dissent, and the task difficulty all play pivotal roles in shaping individual responses. As psychology students, understanding these nuances enriches your comprehension of how social influence operates in diverse contexts.
