Identify three variables affecting conformity and outline how each of these was investigated in Asch’s experiment. (Total 6 marks)

Model Answer:

One variable affecting conformity is group size. This was investigated by varying the number of confederates in the group, finding that conformity increased with up to three confederates but levelled off with additional members.

Another variable is unanimity. This was investigated by introducing a dissenting confederate who gave either the correct answer or a different wrong answer, which reduced conformity to 5.5% and 9%, respectively.

A third variable is task difficulty. This was investigated by making the line judgment task harder, such as using lines of similar length, which increased conformity as participants relied on informational social influence.