Final answer:
Foolish conformity to peer pressure is often motivated by belongingness needs, as individuals conform to gain acceptance from a group, which comes under the normative social influence discussed in the Asch experiment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Foolish conformity to peer pressure is most likely to be motivated by belongingness needs. This aligns with the hierarchy of needs theorized by psychologist Abraham Maslow, where the need for social inclusion and acceptance is situated above the basic needs for survival and safety, but below needs for esteem and self-actualization.
In the context of the Asch experiment and social influence, normative social influence is the type of conformity where individuals change their behaviors or opinions to fit into a group to feel good, and be accepted by their peers. Under conditions where the answer is unclear or the group is considered to have expertise, informational social influence is more likely. People join utilitarian organizations mainly because they receive a tangible benefit from joining.
Conforming to societal norms can also be linked with the idea of congruence, where people's ideas about themselves align with their actions, and cognitive dissonance can cause discomfort because it disrupts our sense of consistency.