In Asch's Study, in Which Participants Made Judgments Involving the Lengths

question 38

Essay

In Asch's study, in which participants made judgments involving the lengths of lines in the context of a group of people (actually confederates), a surprisingly high level of conformity was observed among the participants. By contrast, in a study conducted by Gamson et al. in which an experimenter ordered groups of participants to make videotaped statements supporting an oil company, most of the participants defied the orders of the experimenter. From the perspective of social impact theory, explain why so many of the participants in Asch's study conformed, while so many in Gamson et al.'s study were defiant.

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Definitions:

Honest

Characterized by truthfulness, integrity, and fairness, often considered a vital ethical principle in personal and professional contexts.

Interdependent

A condition where entities are mutually reliant on each other, meaning the actions of one affect or depend on the other.

Long-Term Relationships

Connections or partnerships characterized by enduring commitment, trust, and mutual respect, often considered essential for personal well-being and business success.

Goals

Specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound objectives set by individuals or organizations aiming for desired outcomes.