Asch (1951)
Aim: Investigate the extent to which social pressure from a moajority group could affect a person to conform.
Method: In groups of 8, participants judged line lengths by saying out loud which line (1,2 or 3) matched the 'standard' line, this was very easy to judge (obvious answer). Each group had only one real participant, who always gave their answer (out loud) last, meaning they heard the 7 confedirates' answers before they gave theirs.
Results: Asch found that on average about one third (32%) of the participants in each trial conformed to the clearly incorrect majority. Three quarters (75%) conformed in at least one trial.
+ Lab experiment, meaning any affect on the DV was caused directly by the IV.
- Lacks ecological validity, participants werent in a natural situation.
- One ethical issue, participants were decieved.
Comments
No comments have yet been made