Variables affecting conformity

Question 1

What are three AO3 points to evaluate variables affecting conformity by Asch?

Answer 1

RTS - Lucas Et Al
Counter argument - more complex
Aschs research - Gender bias

Question 2

P
(RTS - Lucas Et Al)

Answer 2

RTS - Lucas Et Al

Question 3

E

Answer 3

• he asked students to solve easy and hard maths problems
• ppts were given 3 other wrong answers from other ‘fake’ students

Question 4

E

Answer 4

• he found ppts conformed more when questions were difficult rather than easy

Question 5

L

Answer 5

therefore supporting as it suggests as task difficulty inc, conf inc

Question 6

P
(counter argument - more complex)

Answer 6

However lucas et als study found conformity is more complex than asch suggested

Question 7

E

Answer 7

this is coz ppts with high confidence in maths abilities conformed less on difficult maths problems than those with low confidence

Question 8

E

Answer 8

this shows that an indv factors can influence conformity and affect situational variables such as task difficulty

Question 9

L

Answer 9

therefore limiting aschs research into variables affecting conformity as he did not research the role of indv factors

Question 10

P
(Aschs research - gender bias)

Answer 10

Aschs research can be criticised as it is gender bias as only males were tested

Question 11

E

Answer 11

this makes it difficult to gen to females as its suggested they may be more conformist regardless of any variables

Question 12

E

Answer 12

• coz they are more concerned about being liked and social rs (Neto,1995)
• this shows factors such as gender can determine conformity rates more than variables

Question 13

L

Answer 13

therefore this weakens ext val