Imagine you’re in a room with other people, and you’re asked a question with an obvious answer. You see it, you know it, there’s no doubt. But one by one, everyone else gives a different—and wrong—answer. What would you do? Would you stick to your opinion, or change it to match the group? This situation, which seems like a simple hypothetical dilemma, was the basis of one of the most impactful studies in social psychology: the Solomon Asch experiment. An experiment that revealed just how far social pressure can shape our decisions, even against logic and evidence.
The Origin: Who Was Solomon Asch?
Solomon Asch was a Polish-American psychologist who, in the 1950s, decided to systematically study a very common phenomenon: social conformity. Inspired by previous research on group influence, Asch wanted to know if people would change their judgments about something objectively clear just to match others.
The Experiment Step by Step
Asch gathered groups of 7 to 9 people. All but one were confederates—actors working with the researcher. The task seemed simple: a card was shown with a single vertical line, followed by another card with three lines of different lengths. The goal was to identify which of the three lines matched the first one in length. The answer was so obvious that anyone could get it right… but there was a catch: in several rounds, the confederates deliberately gave wrong answers before the real participant’s turn.
The Results: The Invisible Power of the Group
The result was striking: around 75% of participants went along with the group’s incorrect answer at least once. Many later admitted they knew the answer was wrong but didn’t want to stand out, be the only one to contradict others, or “cause trouble.” Others began to doubt their own perception.
Why Do We Conform?
Asch’s research identified two types of social influence:
- Normative influence: changing your opinion to fit in and be accepted by the group, even if you know it’s wrong.
- Informational influence: believing that others have more information than you, and therefore assuming you must be mistaken.
Both operate daily, from what we wear to the opinions we share on social media.
The Experiment’s Relevance Today
Although the study was conducted more than 70 years ago, its conclusions remain relevant. On social media, in schools, in work meetings, or even in politics, group pressure still shapes opinions and behaviors. Asch’s message is clear: conformity isn’t always bad, but when it leads us to deny reality or abandon our own judgment, it turns us into accomplices of falsehood.
Reflect: What Would You Do?
If everyone around you insisted on something wrong, would you dare to tell the truth? The Asch experiment isn’t just about lines on paper—it’s a mirror of our daily decisions and how the power of the collective can overshadow the individual voice. On our PsyLife channel, you can watch a simple and visual explanation of the Asch experiment, with all the details and examples to understand how social conformity works in real life.
