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"Discuss the role of 3 situational factors affecting conformity" 16 marks

Asch’s research supports the role of situational factors influencing conformity. Variation in his study demonstrated increase and decrease in conformity levels when a situational variable was changed for example when participants answers were anonymous conformity level dropped to 12%. This means that situational factors can change the level of normative and informational social pressure an individual is under, thus making the majority group more or less influential. As a result this demonstrates that situational factors play a significantly important role in conformity.

The role of situational factors has been opposed as it doesn’t take into account the individual differences that can affect conformity. An example of this is the Perrin and Spencer study where they replicated Asch’s study and found out that there were low levels of conformity in the engineering students. This means that individual factors can change the level of informational social pressure that an individual is feeling, making the majority group less influential. As a result, this demonstrates that individual factors also play a significant role in conformity and not just situational factors.

The role of situational factors was not tested well as it doesn’t take into consideration the cultural factors and lacks temporal validity. The evidence that shows this is the study carried out by Smith et al, who found average conformity in individualism was 25% whereas it was much higher in communist cultures (37%). This means that cultural factors can also increase or decrease the conformity levels. For example, people can conform out of fear of the government. As a result, this demonstrates that cultural factors can also impact conformity and not only situational factors.

Reply 1

Okay, first, your first paragaph is nowhere near enough AO1 im afraid. It's worth 6 marks in a 16 marker, and you have maybe 2. You need 2 marks PER factor. So state how it was manipulated, and what was found. That gets you all the AO1 marks.
In terms of AO3, you need FOUR points, this is worth 10 marks.The AO3 that you have, is perfect. Excellent structure, great PEEL but we need more. You need to add at least one point, as you can get full marks with three points, but four is better for safety.
So, you have maybe 2 for AO1, and 5 for AO3, thats 7/16.
It might be a bit disheartening, but you've done best in the hardest bit. AO3 is worth more, and so more important, and that's where you have a perfect structure, but just need to do it twice more. In terms of the AO1, you again just need more. It doesn't have to be in any particular structure, it's just listing, but you need to speciifcally answer the question. It says three factors, and you have explained one.

Reply 2

Original post by saskiahdltea
Okay, first, your first paragaph is nowhere near enough AO1 im afraid. It's worth 6 marks in a 16 marker, and you have maybe 2. You need 2 marks PER factor. So state how it was manipulated, and what was found. That gets you all the AO1 marks.
In terms of AO3, you need FOUR points, this is worth 10 marks.The AO3 that you have, is perfect. Excellent structure, great PEEL but we need more. You need to add at least one point, as you can get full marks with three points, but four is better for safety.
So, you have maybe 2 for AO1, and 5 for AO3, thats 7/16.
It might be a bit disheartening, but you've done best in the hardest bit. AO3 is worth more, and so more important, and that's where you have a perfect structure, but just need to do it twice more. In terms of the AO1, you again just need more. It doesn't have to be in any particular structure, it's just listing, but you need to speciifcally answer the question. It says three factors, and you have explained one.

Thank youuu for the feedback but could you please explain the difference between A01 and A03

Reply 3

Original post by Aniksha_629
Thank youuu for the feedback but could you please explain the difference between A01 and A03

So AO1 is the knowledge, so this is the theory, or in this case its the outlining the three situational factors (likely through evidence (Milgram study)).
AO3 is then the evaluation. Strenghts and weaknesses of theories/studies.

Reply 4

So I should do 4 paragraphs,
1st - Asch's study with the 3 factors : group size, unanimity, task difficulty
2nd other factors than situational factors e.g cultural and individual factors both in the 2nd

Reply 5

Original post by Aniksha_629
So I should do 4 paragraphs,
1st - Asch's study with the 3 factors : group size, unanimity, task difficulty
2nd other factors than situational factors e.g cultural and individual factors both in the 2nd

So the first paragraph there would be AO1 and all the AO1 you need, and the second would be an evaluation so count as one of your 3-4 AO3s

Reply 6

There are 3 situational factors that affect conformity which are: group size, task difficulty and unanimity which is shown by Asch's study. In Asch’s study he changed the task difficulty by making the lines more similar in length therefore more people conformed because of informational social influence. Another factor was group size which affected why people conformed. People conformed due to normative social influence so they can be liked by the majority and not be rejected by them. The conformity level for 2 confederates was 12.8% but it increased to 32% which indicates the larger the majority group the more people conformed but until 3 confederates. As a result this demonstrates that people conform because of situational factors.

The role of situational factors has been opposed as it doesn’t take into account the individual factors or cultural factors. An example of this is the perrin and spencer study where they replicated Asch’s study and found out that there were low levels of conformity in the engineering students due to expertise knowledge. This means that individual factors can change the level of informational social pressure that an individual is feeling, making the majority group less influential.. The role of situational factors was also not tested well as it doesn’t take into consideration the cultural factors and lacks temporal validity. The evidence that shows this is the study carried out by Smith et al, who found average conformity in individuals was 25% whereas it was much higher in communist cultures(37%). This means that cultural factors can also increase or decrease conformity levels. For example people can conform out of fear of the government. As a result, this demonstrates that individual and cultural factors also play a role in conformity and not just situational factors.

Our understanding of the situational factors influencing conformity has had positive implications for society. Research has shown that the first responder in the jury decides the overall outcome of the case in 95% of the cases. This shows that both NSI and ISI affect the decision making process therefore it is important to control this during cases. This can be done by making the jury answer anonymously so they are able to give their honest opinions. As a result, using the situational factors we are able to understand how decisions are made in the court and how it needs to be changed to make it better so we can have a positive society.

Reply 7

Original post by Aniksha_629
"Discuss the role of 3 situational factors affecting conformity" 16 marks
Asch’s research supports the role of situational factors influencing conformity. Variation in his study demonstrated increase and decrease in conformity levels when a situational variable was changed for example when participants answers were anonymous conformity level dropped to 12%. This means that situational factors can change the level of normative and informational social pressure an individual is under, thus making the majority group more or less influential. As a result this demonstrates that situational factors play a significantly important role in conformity.
The role of situational factors has been opposed as it doesn’t take into account the individual differences that can affect conformity. An example of this is the Perrin and Spencer study where they replicated Asch’s study and found out that there were low levels of conformity in the engineering students. This means that individual factors can change the level of informational social pressure that an individual is feeling, making the majority group less influential. As a result, this demonstrates that individual factors also play a significant role in conformity and not just situational factors.
The role of situational factors was not tested well as it doesn’t take into consideration the cultural factors and lacks temporal validity. The evidence that shows this is the study carried out by Smith et al, who found average conformity in individualism was 25% whereas it was much higher in communist cultures (37%). This means that cultural factors can also increase or decrease the conformity levels. For example, people can conform out of fear of the government. As a result, this demonstrates that cultural factors can also impact conformity and not only situational factors.
Good trial but more effort needed. Please reach out if you need help.

Reply 8

Probs like 5/16 or 4/16 maybe it’s ok you will get there u got this

Reply 9

Original post by Aniksha_629
Thank youuu for the feedback but could you please explain the difference between A01 and A03


tbh if you don’t know what’s what, you should learn what is what first before writing something

Reply 10

Tbh you’re kind of writing an essay… you just need to get straight onto it

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