asch - evaluation

Question 1

Asch’s findings may not be so relevant today

Answer 1

• The outcome may have been influenced by social attitudes of the 1950s
• post-war attitudes that people should work together and consent rather than dissent
• Perrin and Spencer (1980) found just 1 conforming response in 396 trials
• also found less conformity in students (engineering students).
  ➢ People who are knowledgeable/more confident are less influenced by the view of the majority.
  Not consistent over time and place = lacks reliability

Question 2

Asch’s task was artificial

Answer 2

If ppt knew they were in a research study and may have simply gone along with what was expected = demand characteristics
Task was trivial = no reason not to conform
- Not a valid measure of real-life conformity where conforming takes place in a social context and often with people we know rather than strangers = lacks ecological validity

Question 3

Ps were from the USA (an individualist culture).

Answer 3

• Smith and Bond (1998) suggest that conformity rates are higher in collectivist cultures such as China, which are more concerned with group needs
• Cant be generalised to other cultures
• Lacks external validity

Question 4

gender bias

Answer 4

• use of a male sample thus may not represent female behaviour
• Finding don’t apply universally
• Women are more likely to conform than men = more concerned about social relationships

Question 5

ethical issues - deception

Answer 5

• Deception = couldn’t give informed decision to take part
• Ps believed they were taking part in a test of perception
• Protection from harm
• Ps were put in a stressful and embarrassing situation