Solomon E. Asch’s (1955) experiment on conformity to social pressure puts perspective on how the views of a majority and/or experts can transform the opinion of an individual. Social influences shape every person and that is demonstrated in Asch’s study. The study could be the explanation for numerous social phenomenon’s such as “the spread of opinion to the following of crowds and the following of leaders” (Asch, 1955). His study focuses on the generalised idea that individuals will conform to the expectations and views of others especially when the opposing opinion is in bulk. To demonstrate the understanding of Asch’s conformity experiment, other experiments such as Milgrim’s Behavioral Study of Obedience (1963) can be used to identify how the findings have impacted subsequent research.
The technique that was followed in Asch’s experiment was that seven college students were asked to partake in an experiment where they need to identify which line on one piece of card was the identical length to a choice of three lines on a pairing card. There were a total of 12 pairs of cards in which the seven participants must have matched correctly. Although, six of the seven participants had been approached before the experiment had officially started and were coached to say the obviously wrong answers. It …show more content…
With multiple studies supporting Asch’s experiment, including Walker & Andrade’s almost identical study, development of knowledge has increased. With pursuing Asch’s legacy from his initial study, Scheffs Labelling Theory come about and this theory has produced an understanding as to why conformity happens, and why conformity was reduced in Perrin and Spencer’s experiment. The findings are all therefore relevant in explaining each subsequent research experiment, especially as more research happens in the legacy of Asch and his idea of
The technique that was followed in Asch’s experiment was that seven college students were asked to partake in an experiment where they need to identify which line on one piece of card was the identical length to a choice of three lines on a pairing card. There were a total of 12 pairs of cards in which the seven participants must have matched correctly. Although, six of the seven participants had been approached before the experiment had officially started and were coached to say the obviously wrong answers. It …show more content…
With multiple studies supporting Asch’s experiment, including Walker & Andrade’s almost identical study, development of knowledge has increased. With pursuing Asch’s legacy from his initial study, Scheffs Labelling Theory come about and this theory has produced an understanding as to why conformity happens, and why conformity was reduced in Perrin and Spencer’s experiment. The findings are all therefore relevant in explaining each subsequent research experiment, especially as more research happens in the legacy of Asch and his idea of