Discuss research into conformity. (Total 8 marks)

Model Answer:

Research into conformity includes Asch’s line judgment study, which investigated the influence of group pressure on individual decisions. In the study, participants were asked to match line lengths in the presence of confederates who deliberately gave incorrect answers on critical trials. Asch found that 36.8% of participants conformed to the majority’s incorrect answer on at least one trial, demonstrating the power of group influence.

One strength of research into conformity is its contribution to understanding real-world social behaviours. (Point) For example, Asch’s findings highlight the influence of group pressure, which can explain behaviours such as peer pressure in schools or workplace decisions. (Because) This is beneficial because it allows researchers and practitioners to design interventions, such as anti-bullying programmes, that reduce the negative effects of conformity. (Why) However, a limitation of Asch’s research is its artificial setting, as the line judgment task does not reflect real-life conformity scenarios, reducing its ecological validity.

A weakness of conformity research is its cultural bias. (Point) Asch’s study was conducted on American male undergraduates in the 1950s, a time and culture that emphasised conformity. (Because) This limits the generalisability of the findings, as they may not apply to other cultures or time periods where individualism is more valued. (Why) However, subsequent research has replicated Asch’s findings in other contexts, suggesting that some aspects of conformity are universal, even if influenced by cultural factors.