Social Influence Social Psychology Miss Bird

Criticisms of Asch’s research Is the study a ‘child of it’s time’?  Findings could be unique to one culture.  All male and all American PTs.  Conducted in 1950’s (an era when people were worried/afraid to stand out and be different).  Could argue that findings lack time validity.  Research to support – repeated Asch’s study in 1970s using science/engineering PTs. First study – only one conforming response out of 396 trials.  This shows that 20 years later, conformity levels were much lower.

Criticisms of Asch’s research Is the study a ‘child of it’s time’?  Further research used youths on probation as PTs and probation officers as confederates.  Similar levels of conformity as in Asch’s study were found.  Suggests conformity is more likely when the perceived costs of not conforming are high (i.e. young offenders more likely to conform with probation officers because of consequences they think might happen if they don’t comply).

Criticisms of Asch’s research Unconvincing confederates (when giving wrong answer)  One study used a technique where PTs wore glasses with special filters.  3 confederates had the same, 1 confederate had different (all viewed same stimuli but 1 confederate saw it differently due to glasses).  This caused them to see that a different line matched the standard line (unaware that they were giving the wrong answer and therefore more convincing!).  Results matched those of original study suggesting that confederates in original study had also been convincing.

Criticisms of Asch’s research Conformity vs. independence  On only about 1/3 of the trials (12 critical) where the majority unanimously gave the wrong answer did real PTs give a conforming response.  Also ¼ of PTs never conformed.  Suggests that some people show independent behaviour (stick to what they believe and are not influenced by others).  Therefore does this study show evidence of conformity or of independent behaviour or of both?

Independent task Read the research on culture and conformity. Identify the APFCE of this research and write this in your booklets.

Independent task Complete the gap-fill on individual differences in conformity.

A physiological basis for conformity? Berns et al (2005)  Brain scan during conformity experiment.  Found that conforming responses activated brain areas responsible for perception rather than brain areas involved in conscious decision-making.  Suggests exposure to the majority position had influenced their perception – support for distortion of perception.  For PTs who went against the majority, brain activity observed in areas involved in conscious decision-making and in emotion = emotional cost in going against the group consensus (independent behaviour).