Transcript Social Influence - Beauchamp College

Social
Influence
Social Psychology
Miss Bird
Criticisms of Asch’s research
Is the study a ‘child of it’s time’?
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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.
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Research to support – repeated Asch’s study in
1970s using science/engineering PTs. First study –
only one conforming response out of 396 trials.
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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’?
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Further research used youths on probation as
PTs and probation officers as confederates.
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Similar levels of conformity as in Asch’s study
were found.
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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)
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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
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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.
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Also ¼ of PTs never conformed.
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Suggests that some people show independent
behaviour (stick to what they believe and are not
influenced by others).
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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)
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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).