Briefly explain how two factors might affect whether or not Lisa and Sean will conform to the rest of the group. (4 marks

Model Answer:

One factor that might affect whether Lisa and Sean conform is group size. If the group in favour of giving the money to charity is large, Lisa and Sean may feel greater pressure to conform due to the increased influence of the majority. This aligns with research by Asch, which found that conformity rates increased with group size, particularly when the majority consisted of three or more individuals.

Another factor is unanimity. If the rest of the group is unanimous in their decision to donate to charity, Lisa and Sean are more likely to conform to avoid standing out. However, if even one other person supports buying a pool table, this dissent can significantly reduce conformity by providing Lisa and Sean with social support, making them more confident in resisting the majority.