AAQ - Conformity

Introduction

Solomon Asch's conformity studies, conducted in the 1950s, sought to illuminate the power of social pressure on individual judgment. His research demonstrated that people could be influenced to conform to the beliefs and opinions of a group, even when those beliefs were clearly incorrect.

Participants
Asch's original study involved 50 male students from Swarthmore College. These participants were placed into groups of 7 to 9 individuals. However, only one individual in each group was a genuine, randomly-assigned participant; all others were confederates instructed to behave in specific ways.

Methods

• Line Judgment Task: Participants were shown a standard line and then asked to choose the matching line from a set of three comparison lines. The task was purposely straightforward, with a clearly correct answer.
• Intentional Errors: Confederates were instructed to unanimously select the same incorrect line on predetermined "critical trials." The unsuspecting participant was placed in a position where they had to choose between their own perception and the group consensus.
• Variations: In additional variations of the original research, Asch modified things like having another person who would break from the group consensus or varying the group size. These changes showed additional aspects of the conformity effect.
• Data: To measure conformity rates, Asch recorded the number of instances where the participant conformed with the group's incorrect answer versus times they chose the correct answer. Interviews with participants after the study shed light on their motivations for conforming or not. At the end of these interviews, researchers revealed the true nature of the study, as well as the fact that confederates posed as participants in the study.

Results/Discussion
Asch's results were startling:

• Conformity Rates: Approximately 75% of participants conformed to the incorrect group judgment at least once. Overall, conformity occurred in 37% of critical trials. (See Source 1: Conformity Rates.)
• Individual Differences: While many conformed, 25% of the participants never yielded to the group's incorrect judgment.
• The relationship between group size and conformity: (See Source 2: Group Size and Conformity.)

Asch's research highlighted the power of conformity in influencing individual judgments and behavior. The pressure to fit in with the group, even when the group is demonstrably wrong, can be a powerful force. His work has significantly impacted our understanding of social influence and group dynamics.

Asch's conformity studies offered several key insights:

• Power of Social Pressure: Even in simple, unambiguous situations, individuals often yield to group pressure, aligning their answers with the majority despite recognizing the error.
• Factors Influencing Conformity: Asch identified variations in conformity rates based on factors such as group size, task difficulty, and whether responses were made privately or publicly.
• Motivations to Conform: Participants cited a desire to fit in, avoid social disapproval, and a belief that the group might be right as motivators for conformity.

Citation
Asch, S. E. (1951). Effects of group pressure upon the modification and distortion of judgments. In H. Guetzkow (Ed.), Groups, leadership, and men (pp. 177–190). Carnegie Press.
Asch, S. E. (1951). Opinions and social pressure. Psychological Monographs, 65(9, Whole No. 377).