Asch Conformity Experiments

The Asch conformity experiments, conducted by psychologist Solomon Asch in the 1950s, studied how individuals conform to group opinions, even when they know those opinions are wrong. In the experiments, participants were shown lines of different lengths and asked to identify which line matched a given reference line. When confederates (actors) deliberately chose incorrect answers, many real participants also gave wrong answers, prioritizing group consensus over their own perceptions. The results highlighted the powerful influence of social pressure on decision-making and belief, showcasing how people often align their views with those of a group to gain acceptance.