Ash experiment

The Asch experiment, conducted in the 1950s, tested how social pressure influences individual judgments. Participants were in groups and asked to match line lengths. Unbeknownst to one real participant, others were confederates instructed to give incorrect answers. When the group unanimously chose the wrong line, many participants conformed and also selected the incorrect answer, despite it being clearly wrong. This demonstrated how the desire to fit in and avoid disagreement can lead individuals to go along with the group, highlighting the power of social influence on decision-making.