matthewnguyen

Psychology - Asch Conformity

Getting into psychology HELLZ YEAH But with my standard english and shitty school which doesn't offer psychology, i guess studying psychology at uni is gone. Probably from the manga ive been reading, i find psychology pretty awesome. Like 'Liar Game'. Shit that manga is excellent. Off to the first segment; Asch Conformity.

Imagine you're at tutor. You have a friend and the whole class is asked a question with the answer being 'A' or 'B'. You are definitely sure that the answer is 'A', but whoever the teacher asks, they answer 'B' so after numerous answers of 'B', you doubt yourself and once the teacher asks for your answer, you answer 'B' as well. Thus conforming to the class even though you knew they were wrong.

I assume quite a lot of you reading this has experienced it at least once at school. Very likely, especially in primary where one would be afraid to voice their opinion against the class', conforming to the 'majority'. However, some of us are headstrong about our ideas and answers and are not swayed easily with the mere fact that your answer opposes to the rest of the class. Some may see it as an opportunity to shine while others will state the fact that they are right and that there is no glory in that. Personally, i've been trying to be in the small percentage where people state their own opinion regardless of what other's say.

The notion of Asch Conformity can be useful to manipulate others though. Giventhe power to control a group and their actions, that one member who is reluctant will probably succumb to the notion of Asch Conformity. Call it peer pressure if you will, but it is some damn interesting psychology i thought i might share. Especially in that mafia card game :D