Final answer:
Solomon Asch is renowned for his experiments demonstrating the impact of social pressure on conformity. His studies revealed that people often conform to group opinions, even when they are erroneous, due to the desire for acceptance or belief in the group's judgment. Asch's findings underscore the significant influence of group dynamics on individual actions and perceptions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual best known for his research on conformity is Solomon Asch. In a pivotal study in the 1950s, Asch set up an experiment to measure the willingness of a participant to conform to the majority view, even when that view was incorrect. Participants were asked to match the length of one line with a group of three other lines, an easy task when done individually. However, in a group setting, with other participants (who were in on the experiment) giving wrong answers, Asch observed that the true subjects often conformed to the group's incorrect choices.
Through this experiment, Asch demonstrated how social pressure and the desire to fit in can influence a person's behavior and decisions. His findings suggest that people may conform due to the need to be liked or because they believe the group is more knowledgeable. The conclusion was stark: participants conformed with the majority's incorrect choice on average four times when responses were spoken. However, Asch noted a decrease in conformity when participants could write their answers privately.