Solomon Asch conducted a classic experiment to show that group pressure induced individuals to conform. In Asch's experiment subjects were placed in a room with others who they believed were also research subjects, but who were actually actors performing designated roles. The whole group were shown simple diagrams showing three lines and asked to identify which line was longest. Asch found that when the actors misidentified the longest lines then experimental subjects felt pressure to conform to the group rather than giving an obviously correct answer that differed from the group consensus.
