16. Resistance To Social Influence AO1 Flashcards
Give two explanations for resistance to social influence
- Social support
2. Locus of control
Define social support
Pressure to conform is reduced if other people aren’t conforming - reduced by a dissenting partner
What did Asch’s research show about social support
The dissenter doesn’t have to give the right answer - someone else not following the majority frees others to follow their own conscious- dissenter acts as a model
What did Asch find about if dissenting peers started conforming again
If non-conforming peer started conforming again, effects aren’t long lasting and naive participant also conforms
What was found about social support in obedience?
Pressure to obey can be reduced is a person (dissenter) is seen to disobey
What did Milgram’s research find about social support with a dissenter
Independent behaviour increased in the disobedient peer condition ( 35% to 90%)
What can be concluded about the link between obedience and social support
Participant may not follow the disobedient peer but dissenters disobedience frees participant to ace from their own conscience
Who described internal vs external LOC?
Rotter
Explain internal LOC
Internals - things that happen to them are largely controlled by themselves - e.g. Doing badly on exam depends on how hard they work
Explain external LOC
Externals - things happen outside their control - if she they fail an exam they’d say it was because they had a bad teacher or had bad luck
What is a key element in LOC?
There is a continuum - high internal at one end, high external at the other - low internal at one end, low external at the other
What does the continuum suggest?
People differ in how they explain successes but it isn’t simply about being internal or external
What are people with internal LOC more likely to do
They’re more likely to resist pressures to conform or obey
Give two reasons Internals are lest likely to conform or obey
- If someone takes personal responsibility for actions - more likely to base future decisions on their own belief
- People with high internal LOC are more self confident - achievement oriented- less need for social approval - these personality traits lead to greater resistance
