In studies conducted by Solomon Asch the nature of conformity was under the microscope. These studies were aimed at finding out why we conform and change our opinions in different situations even if we don't necessarily agree with what we are conforming to.
These studies involved a group of seven people, where only one person was a subject and the other six were planted actors. Asch then asked the subject to judge the length of a line, which 95% of subjects did acuratly. When the confederates were placed in the room and asked to judge the line innacuratly, the subject quickly changed their mind and conformed.
Conformity is defined as yeilding to social pressure when no direct request to comply with the group is made. In Asch's experiments he found that almost every test subject either always complies or never complies, and nothing in between.
According to Asch the most important factor involving conformity is group size. The other major factor that he mentions is the expertise or education of the people in the group.
I feel that this is a good study into conformity. This study is the same one that we saw in class. This is a good study that shows and uses great examples.
For more information go to: www.suite101.com/social_psychology, article written by, Asha Wate
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I think about conformity all the time, how sometimes I make choices based on other peoples reaction in a group. I have found myself sitting in class many times looking around to see what other people are doing and often find myself imitating others. For instance, if enough people are sitting upright in there chairs I tend to do the same thing. Same thing if enough people are relaxed and slouching in their chairs I would eventually end up relaxing more and getting comfortable.
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