Conformity: The Solomon Asch Experiments

Solomon Asch  In the 1950s, Asch conducted a series of experiments based on the idea of conformity.  Conformity – When one’s opinions are influenced by those of a majority group. (Peer pressure)  To conform is to act like the group even though your opinion is different just to avoid standing out.

Solomon Asch  Eight male college students were selected to give their opinions on simple visual tasks.  They were shown a line along with three lines of varying lengths.  They had to simply pick the line that was the same length as the original line.

Which line matches the one on the left?

Solomon Asch  Of the 8 people in the group, only 1 was really the test subject.  The other 7 were confederates (actors who were part of the experiment).  The true purpose of the experiment was to see how the subject would react to the confederates’ behavior.  If the confederates gave a wrong answer would they do the same?

Results  With no pressure to conform, the error rate was less than 1%.  With pressure from the confederates, the error rate jumped to 37%.  Lack of confidence, self-doubt, and desire to follow group were given as reasons to conform.  This is why voting is done privately to avoid conformity!

Solomon Asch  In what ways do we conform?  How can conformity be dangerous?  How have you seen it in class?  How can conformity be used in a positive way?  How can you use this to positively effect change?