CONFORMITY

B R E A K I NG O

R FI L

L I NG T

H E MO L D

ASCH CONFORMITY EXPERIMENT

SO, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF UNWITTING PARTICIPANTS “GO ALONG” WITH THE WRONG ANSWER? PUT ANOTHER WAY, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE DO YOU THINK CONFORM TO THE SOCIAL PRESSURE?

75% conform at least once during six rounds30% conform the majority of the rounds.

Bond, R., & Smith, P.B.. (1996). Culture and conformity: a meta-analysis of studies using Asch’s line judgment task. Psychological Bulletin, 119, 111-137.

WHAT VARIABLES DO YOU THINK WOULD INFLUENCE THE RESULTS OF ASCH’S EXPERIMENT? (E.G. NUMBER OF “CONFEDERATES” WHO ANSWER INCORRECTLY). PUT ANOTHER WAY, WHAT CHANGES TO THE EXPERIMENT DO YOU THINK WOULD EITHER LOWER OR RAISE THE RATES OF CONFORMING BEHAVIOR?

SOME OF THE STUDIED VARIABLES

* Women more likely to conform than men

* Three or More = Conformity

* In-group conformity rates are much higher

* Write it down, don’t Conform but… just scientist sees it, Conform!

* A single dissenter makes a huge difference