Asch’s Study on Conformity (Upper-Intermediate Lesson)

ESL/EFL Level: B2/C1 (Upper-Intermediate)
Lesson Topics: conformity, individualism
Skill Focus: Listening, Speaking, Vocabulary
Approximate Class Time: 1.5 hours
Lesson Plan Download: asch-conformity-upper-intermediate-032025.docx

  • The lesson begins with warm-up questions about individuality and psychology.
  • The lesson's video, entitled The Asch Experiment, is only 1:57 in length. It describes the experiment conducted by Asch in the 1950s that demonstrated people's willingness to conform even in situations when the behavior contradicted with what they knew was correct.The video is followed by comprehension and follow-up questions.
  • Next, students review the eight vocabulary items by matching them to their corresponding definitions.
  • After vocabulary matching, students form discussion questions with the target vocabulary.
  • The lesson has one debate prompt about the value of being a team player.
  • There are also two roleplays. In the first, friends discuss what kind of review to give an ESL school they attended. The second roleplay, between a parent and teenage daughter, has students discuss whether fitting in is more important sometimes than expressing one's individuality.
  • Next, the lesson presents a few famous quotations about individualism and conformity.
  • Finally, the lesson ends with a review of vocabulary and collocations before presenting some final discussion questions.

AI image of teacher conducting class

UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2/C1) Lesson on Asch’s Famous Experiment

Warm-up-Questions                 

  1. Do you think most people want to be different or the same as others? Why?
  2. Do you fit in easily in social groups, or are you more of a lone wolf? (A lone wolf is someone who spends time alone.) Provide examples to justify your answer.
  3. Have you taken any psychology courses? Are you interested in the topic? Why or why not?

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Comprehension Question Answer Key

  1. Recall & Retell: …
  2. Because the researchers wanted to observe natural behavior. If participants knew the real purpose, the results would not be reliable.
  3. It suggests that people often conform to group opinions to fit in or avoid conflict, even when they believe the group is wrong.
  4. …

 

Vocabulary: 1- blurt out, 2- therapy, 3- impulsive, 4- self-reflection, 5- projection, 6- attribute, 7- snap at, 8- unconscious, 9- resentment, 10- suppress, 11- confront, 12- hostile

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Vocabulary: 1-e, 2-c, 3-h, 4-g, 5-d, 6-b, 7-a, 8-f

Collocations 1-d, 2-e, 3-b, 4-a, 5-c

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