Is the Asch experiment reliable?

Asch’s results have been replicated several times so the results are reliable. The results of the experiment in terms of conformity rates can, to some extent, explain why people conform to social and cultural norms in real life. Conformity may be universal to some degree but conformity rates vary cross-culturally.

What is the conformity argument?

Conformity is a type of social influence involving a change in belief or behavior in order to fit in with a group. This change is in response to real (involving the physical presence of others) or imagined (involving the pressure of social norms / expectations) group pressure.

What was the hypothesis of the Asch conformity experiment?

This is the experiment that was conducted by Solomon Asch in 1951 at Swarthmore College. Asch hypothesized that when confederates (fake participants) uniformly gave a particular response in a group setting, the lone true participant would feel pressure to conform to the group consensus.

Why was the Asch conformity experiment unethical?

Although it is seen as unethical to deceive participants, Asch’s experiment required deception in order to achieve valid results. In addition, Asch’s participants were not protected from psychological harm and many of the participants reporting feeling stressed when they disagreed with the majority.

What are two factors that Asch found decrease conformity?

Factors Affecting Conformity

• Group Size. Asch (1956) found that group size influenced whether subjects conformed.
• Lack of Group Unanimity / Presence of an Ally.
• Difficulty of Task.
• Answer in Private.

What are the dangers of conformity?

Normative conformity is the tendency to behave in certain ways in order to be accepted by a group. Of the two, normative conformity may be the most dangerous, as it can motivate someone to go along with a group even if they know the group is wrong.

What are the main factors that influence conformity?

Several factors are associated with increased conformity, including larger group size, unanimity, high group cohesion, and perceived higher status of the group. Other factors associated with conformity are culture, gender, age, and importance of stimuli.

What are 7 conditions that strengthen conformity?

Seven conditions that strengthen conformity: 1) one feels insecure, 2) group has at least three people, 3) group is unanimous, 4) _____________, 5) one has no prior commitment to a response, 6) group is watching, 7) less individualistic society.

What did Asch conclude?

The experiments revealed the degree to which a person’s own opinions are influenced by those of groups. Asch found that people were willing to ignore reality and give an incorrect answer in order to conform to the rest of the group.

What was the hypothesis of Asch’s experiment?

The Asch conformity experiments were a series of psychological experiments conducted by Solomon Asch during the 1950s. The experiments revealed the degree to which a person’s own opinions are influenced by those of groups. Asch found that people were willing to ignore reality and give an incorrect answer in order to conform to the rest of the group.

What is the purpose of the Asch experiment?

The Asch conformity experiments were a series of social psychology experiments run in the 1950s to explore group dynamics and the pressure to conform in groups.

What is Asch situation?

Psychology Definition of ASCH SITUATION: an experimental paradigm commonly used to study conformity to group opinion. Participants are led to believe that they are making perceptual judgments

What was the Solomon Asch experiment measuring?

The Asch Experiment, by Solomon Asch, was a famous experiment designed to test how peer pressure to conform would influence the judgment and individuality of a test subject.