Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

 Conformity  is a change in behavior or attitudes brought about by a desire to follow 
the beliefs or standards of other people. Subtle or even unspoken social pressure 
results in conformity.
The classic demonstration of pressure to conform comes from a series of studies 
carried out in the 1950s by Solomon Asch (Asch, 1951). In the experiments, the par-
ticipants thought they were taking part in a test of perceptual skills with six other 
people. The experimenter showed the participants one card with three lines of vary-
ing length and a second card that had a fourth line that matched one of the fi rst three 
(see Figure 1). The task was seemingly straightforward: Each of the participants had 
to announce aloud which of the fi rst three lines was identical in length to the “standard” 
line on the second card. Because the correct answer was always obvious, the task 
seemed easy to the participants. 
Key Concept 
What are the major sources 
and tactics of social infl uence?
M O D U L E 5 3
Social Infl uence and Groups 
social infl uence 
The process by which 
the actions of an individual or group 
affect the behavior of others.
group 
Two or more people who 
interact with one another, perceive 
themselves as part of a group, and 
are interdependent.
Study Alert
The distinction between 
the three types of social 
pressure—conformity, 
compliance, and 
obedience—depends on 
the nature and strength of the social 
pressure brought to bear on a person.
conformity 
A change in behavior or 
attitudes brought about by a desire to 
follow the beliefs or standards of other 
people.
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