1. SOCIAL INFLUENCE (Explanations of resistance to social influence: social support/locus of control) Flashcards
What is resistance to social influence?
Resistance to social influence refers to the ability of individuals to withstand pressure to conform to the majority or obey authority. This can be influenced by both situational and dispositional factors.
What is social support?
Social support is the perception that an individual has assistance available from others and is part of a supportive network. This support can help people resist social influence, as role models demonstrate that not conforming or obeying is an option.
How does social support affect resistance to conformity?
Social support can help people resist conformity by providing an ally who does not conform. This breaks the unanimity of the majority, reducing the pressure to conform, and gives the individual more confidence to make independent decisions.
How does social support affect resistance to obedience?
Social support can help people resist obedience by providing a peer who disobeys authority. The presence of a disobedient peer challenges the legitimacy of the authority figure, making it easier for others to refuse to obey.
What is the role of a dissenter in reducing conformity?
A dissenter (someone who resists conformity) provides an independent assessment of reality, helping the individual feel more confident and supported in resisting the majority. The dissenter breaks the group’s unanimity and encourages others to dissent.
What real-world research supports social support in resisting conformity?
Susan Albrecht et al. (2006) found that social support helped pregnant adolescents resist peer pressure to smoke. Adolescents with a mentor were significantly less likely to smoke compared to those without a mentor, showing that social support can help resist conformity.
How does social support affect obedience in Milgram’s study?
In one of Milgram’s variations, when participants had two confederates who refused to shock the learner, only 10% of participants obeyed fully, compared to 65% in the original study. This shows that disobedient peers make it easier for others to resist obedience.
What does Asch’s study show about social support and conformity?
Asch’s variation found that when an ally gave the correct answer, conformity levels dropped from 36.8% to 5.5%. This shows that the presence of social support makes it easier to resist the pressure to conform.
How does the social support explanation apply to resistance to obedience in real life?
Research by Gamson et al. (1982) found higher levels of resistance to obedience in a group setting, where participants could discuss their actions. The presence of peers who also resisted authority made it easier to rebel against the orders.
What is locus of control (LOC)?
Locus of control refers to a person’s perception of personal control over their own behaviour. People with an internal LOC believe they control their outcomes, while those with an external LOC believe their behaviour is influenced by external factors like luck or fate.
What is the difference between internal and external locus of control?
People with an internal locus of control believe their behavior is influenced by their own decisions and effort. Those with an external locus of control believe their behavior is shaped by external factors like luck or the actions of others.
How does locus of control influence resistance to social influence?
People with a high internal locus of control are more likely to resist conformity and obedience because they feel in control of their actions, are confident, and do not seek approval from others. They make decisions based on their own beliefs rather than external pressures.
What research supports the idea that internal LOC leads to greater resistance?
Holland (1967) found that in Milgram’s study, 37% of participants with an internal locus of control resisted going to the highest shock level, compared to only 23% of those with an external locus of control. This supports the idea that internal LOC helps resist obedience.
What did Shute (1975) find about locus of control and resistance to conformity?
Shute (1975) found that individuals with a high internal locus of control were less likely to conform to peer pressure about drug use than those with an external locus of control, supporting the link between internal LOC and greater resistance to conformity.
What is a limitation of the locus of control theory?
One limitation is that the theory is over-simplistic. Rotter (1982) argued that locus of control only influences behavior in novel situations. In familiar situations, previous experiences may play a more significant role than an individual’s locus of control.
