A study of normative and informational social influences upon individual judgment

Deutsch (1955) · Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology · Read the paper

Deutsch and Gerard describe several modifications of the Asch experiment, in which a subject judges the length of lines in the company of a group of confederates who follow the experimenter's instructions. The variants include a face-to-face situation, an anonymous situation and a group situation with commitment. The study separates normative social influence, the pull to meet the expectations of others, from informational influence, the acceptance of others' judgments as evidence about reality.

Deutsch and Gerard describe several modifications of the Asch experiment, in which a subject judges the length of lines in the company of a group of confederates who follow the experimenter's instructions. The variants include a face-to-face situation, an anonymous situation and a group situation with commitment. The study separates normative social influence, the pull to meet the expectations of others, from informational influence, the acceptance of others' judgments as evidence about reality.

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Deutsch, M., & Gerard, H. B. (1955). A study of normative and informational social influences upon individual judgment. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 51(3), 629-636. doi:10.1037/h0046408