Research Team
How did our research team select their sample?

The students wanted to approach a cross-section of the campus so they went to the library during the evening study hours. They approached students working in a large reading area. They discovered that midterm exams were being given over the next two days in both organic chemistry and physics. Most students studying for these exams refused the request to participate because they did not want to take time away from their studies. The students successfully recruited 20 participants.

Over the course of the experiment, though, they found that a number of participants exclaimed, "I know what this is" or "Isn't this the Asch study?" during the experimental session. When the students debriefed each of the participants, they discovered that a large number had taken Introductory Psychology to fulfill a general education requirement. The participants had recognized the experimental paradigm from what they learned in the class. With further investigation, the students discovered that over 50% of the student body take the Introductory Psychology class.