======Asch Conformity Experiment====== **Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\ **Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\ **Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\ \\ **Categories:** {{$demo.categories}} \\ **Alternative titles:** Social Pressure and Group Influence ====Summary==== {{$demo.summary}} ====Procedure==== - Recruit a small group of participants, including one real subject and several helpers who are "in on" the experiment. - Present a simple task (e.g., comparing line lengths, solving a basic math problem, or identifying a color). - Have the helpers all give the same, incorrect answer aloud. - When it is the subject’s turn, observe whether they provide the correct answer or conform to the group’s wrong answer. - Record responses and note whether the subject conforms or resists social pressure. - Repeat with variations (different group sizes, ages, or genders) to see how results change. ====Links==== The Asch Line Study - Conformity Experiment - Practical Psychology: {{youtube>-W-ML_dG_4Y?}}\\ Asch Conformity Experiments: The Line Between Independence and Conformit - Academy 4 Social Civics: {{youtube>wESc4Dyj-gA?}}\\ 📄 The Asch Conformity Experiments: Lesson Plan - U4SC: [[https://academy4sc.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2020/05/The-Asch-Conformity-Experiments-lesson.pdf]]\\ 📄 How to Test Conformity With Your Own Psychology Experiment - Kendra Cherry: [[https://www.verywellmind.com/conformity-experiment-2795661]]\\ ====Variations==== * Use visual tasks (line lengths, shapes, or colors) instead of math questions. * Test conformity in casual settings (elevator, classroom, lunchroom). * Alter the number of confederates to measure how group size affects conformity. * Compare conformity levels across different age groups or between genders. ====Safety Precautions==== * Ensure participants know the experiment may involve mild deception. * Fully debrief participants afterward, explaining the true purpose of the experiment. * Avoid any tasks that could cause embarrassment or stress. ====Questions to Consider==== * Why do people sometimes go along with a group even when they know the group is wrong? (They may want to avoid conflict, fit in, or doubt their own judgment.) * How does the size of the group influence conformity? (Larger groups often increase conformity, but after a certain size, the effect plateaus.) * Are people more likely to conform in public or private settings? (Conformity tends to be stronger in public situations where others can observe responses.) * What factors might reduce conformity? (Confidence, strong knowledge of the subject, or support from at least one other person who gives the correct answer.)