GCSEPsychologyAQAExam QuestionsSocial InfluenceConformity

Conformity (AQA GCSE Psychology): Exam Questions

Exam code: 8182

32 mins6 questions
1
9 marks

Read the following conversation

Two psychology students were having a conversation about the lesson they had just had.

Aneeta: “I found the results of Asch’s study really surprising. I don’t believe that I would have conformed in that situation".

Myla: "I was surprised too – but I wonder if it had something to do with them being in a situation that wasn’t like their everyday life?"

Aneeta: "That’s true – the task was also not like anything I have ever been asked to do before.”

Describe Asch’s study of conformity and evaluate the research method used in his study.

Refer to the conversation as part of your answer.

How did you do?

2
6 marks

Solomon Asch carried out his famous ‘line’ experiment in the 1950s.

Discuss whether or not Asch’s study of conformity would be considered to be ethical now.

Use your knowledge of the British Psychological Society guidelines on ethical issues in psychological research to inform your discussion.

How did you do?

3
1 mark

Dana is shopping with two of her friends. Her friends both choose sandwiches for lunch. After seeing this, Dana decides to choose a sandwich too. Which one of the following best describes Dana’s behaviour?

  • Bystander intervention

  • Conformity

  • Deindividuation

  • Obedience

Choose your answer

4
9 marks

Describe and evaluate one way in which conformity was investigated.

In your description include the method used, the results obtained and the conclusion drawn.

How did you do?

5
4 marks

Read the following article.

A psychology teacher’s findings about conformity

A psychology teacher carried out an experiment to investigate conformity. Students were asked to complete a difficult maths test in groups.

In some groups, there were many students, while in other groups, there were only a few students.

The teacher found that students were more likely to change their answers when they were in larger groups.

In another version of the experiment, the teacher changed who the other students were. In some groups, the majority were described as maths experts, while in others they were described as English literature students.

The teacher found that students were more likely to agree with the majority when the group were maths experts.

Use the article to identify:

  • Two examples where group size affected conformity levels, and

  • Two examples where expertise affected conformity levels

Write your answers in the correct boxes.

Examples of group size

Examples of expertise

How did you do?

6
3 marks

Briefly evaluate dispositional factors that affect conformity to the majority.

How did you do?