What was a major contribution of Asch's study on conformity to psychology?

Asch's study on conformity significantly advanced our understanding of social psychology by illustrating how group pressure influences individuals' beliefs and behaviors. In particular, the experiment famously demonstrated that participants often went along with the incorrect answers given by a group of peers, even when the answers were clearly wrong, to avoid social rejection or to fit in with the group. This finding underscored the powerful sway that group dynamics can exert on individual decision-making, showing that people may conform to a group's perspective despite their personal convictions.

The study illuminated the psychological mechanisms at play in social situations, emphasizing the extent to which individuals are affected by the opinions of others. As a result, it laid the groundwork for further exploration of conformity, compliance, and the psychological pressures involved in social interactions, which have applications in diverse areas of psychology such as group behavior, decision-making, and the understanding of social norms.