<P> The results showed a surprisingly high degree of conformity: 74% of the participants conformed on at least one trial . On average people conformed one third of the time . A question is how the group would affect individuals in a situation where the correct answer is less obvious . </P> <P> After his first test, Asch wanted to investigate whether the size or unanimity of the majority had greater influence on test subjects . "Which aspect of the influence of a majority is more important--the size of the majority or its unanimity? The experiment was modified to examine this question . In one series the size of the opposition was varied from one to 15 persons ." The results clearly showed that as more people opposed the subject, the subject became more likely to conform . However, the increasing majority was only influential up to a point: from three or more opponents, there is more than 30% of conformity . </P> <P> Harvard psychologist Herbert Kelman identified three major types of conformity . </P> <Ul> <Li> Compliance is public conformity, while possibly keeping one's own original beliefs for yourself . Compliance is motivated by the need for approval and the fear of being rejected . </Li> <Li> Identification is conforming to someone who is liked and respected, such as a celebrity or a favorite uncle . This can be motivated by the attractiveness of the source, and this is a deeper type of conformism than compliance . </Li> <Li> Internalization is accepting the belief or behavior and conforming both publicly and privately, if the source is credible . It is the deepest influence on people and it will affect them for a long time . </Li> </Ul>

Example of conformity bias in the historical study of life