1.3 Resistance to Social Influence Flashcards
What is resistance to social influence?
The ability of people to withstand the social pressure to conform to the majority or to obey authority (influenced by both social and dispositional factors)
What is social support?
The presence of people who resist pressures to conform or obey can help others do the same
What is locus of control (LOC)?
The sense we each have about what directs events in our lives
What is an internal LOC?
They believe that they are mostly responsible and the things that happen to them are largely controlled by themselves
What is an external LOC?
They believe that things that happen are mainly a matter of luck or controlled by outside forces
How does LOC influence resistance to social influence?
- Those with high internal LOC are more able to resist pressures to conform/obey, they tend to take personal responsibility for their actions and experiences
- Therefore, they tend to base their decisions on their own beliefs rather than others
- Also, they tend to be more self-confident so have much less need for social approval
AO3 for social support
1. Real-world research support: Albrecht et al (2006) evaluated an eight week programme to help pregnant adolescents aged 14-19 resist peer pressure to smoke, social support was provided by a mentor/’buddy’, at the end participants with a buddy were less likely to smoke compared to control group without a buddy, useful intervention in the real world
2. Research support for dissenting peers: Gamson et al (1982) participants told to find evidence to help run a smear campaign, levels of resistance were higher than Milgrams as participants were in groups so could discuss the task, 88% rebelled against their orders, peer support can undermine legitimacy of authority
AO3 for LOC
1. Research support: Holland (1967) repeated Milgrams study and measured number of internals and externals, 37% of internals did not continue to the highest shock whereas only 23% of externals did not continue, internals showed greater resistance, shows resistance is related to LOC
2. Contradictory research: Twenge et al (2004) analysed data from American LOC studies from over 40 year period, showwed that over a time span people became more resistant to obedience but also more external, however if resistance related to internal then we expect more internals, LOC not a valid explanation of resistance
How was resistance to obedience shown in Milgrams variations?
- The rate of obedience dropped from 65% to 10% when the genuine participant was joined by a disobedient confederate
- The other persons disobedience acts as a model of dissent and frees the participant to act from their own conscience
