Abstract
The presence of a dissenter, in a group whose members otherwise agree on a 'wrong' answer, reduces the pressure on a S to conform to the group's answer, whether the dissenter agrees with the S or takes a still less acceptable position than the group. Differences in this effect are sought between conformity on cognitive questions (visual stimuli) & on normative questions (opinion studies). 103 F undergraduates at the U of Pittsburgh were given a series of questions answered via a Tuddenham-type signalling apparatus, concerning visual or opinion stimuli; under high or low pressure to conform; & with no dissenter, a dissenter giving the correct answer, or a dissenter giving an extreme answer. A dissenter giving 'right' answers reduced pressure to conform for both types of stimuli. However, an extreme dissenter reduced pressure only for visual (cognitive) items. Strong group pressure produced more concern for being considered reasonable by other group members, but concern for correctness was affected by group pressure only in the presence of a dissenter giving 'right' answers. 1 Table. Modified HA.