Solomon Asch · 1951
Asch Conformity Experiment
Would you ignore your own eyes to agree with the group? 75% did at least once.
Methodology
Task:
• Match line lengths (A, B, C)
• Obvious answer
Setup:
• 7 people (1 real, 6 actors)
• Actors give wrong answer on 12/18 trials
• Real person answers last
Findings
Stats:
• Conformed at least once: 75%
• Overall conformity rate: 37%
Types:
• Distortion of Perception: "I really saw it that way"
• Distortion of Judgment: "They must be right"
• Distortion of Action: "Didn't want to look weird"
️ Breaking it:
• One ally drops conformity to 5%
Significance
Reality:
• Groupthink in meetings
• "Emperor's New Clothes"
• Validated in many cultures