Final answer:
The Asch conformity studies demonstrated normative social influence because participants conformed to the group to avoid ridicule in a situation where the correct answer was clear and unambiguous. Informational social influence is more about looking to the group for guidance when the situation is uncertain.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the Asch conformity studies, the type of social influence that was operating was normative social influence. This is because the line judgment task given to participants was clear and unambiguous, which implies that there was no need for participants to seek information from the group. Instead, the conformity observed was due to participants wanting to fit in with the group and avoid ridicule, which characterizes normative influence. In contrast, informational social influence occurs when individuals conform to a group's actions or beliefs because they perceive the group as having more knowledge about a certain situation, especially when the situation is ambiguous, as seen in the example of people in a movie theater interpreting smoke.