Explanations Of Resistance For Social Influence Flashcards
What is resistance to social influence?
The ability to withstand the social pressures to conform to the majority/obey authority.
What are the two explanations for resistance for social influence?
-Social support.
-Locus of control.
What is social support?
The presence of people who resist pressures to conform/obey (helping others to do the same).
The presence of dissenters ________ the pressure to conform/obey.
Reduces.
What are examples of research support for social support (conformity)?
-Asch (1951): the presence of a dissenter reduced conformity by 25%.
-Allen & Levine (1971): (variation of Asch’s study) conformity decreased at the presence of a dissenter, even when they wore thick glasses and mentioned sight difficulty.
What are examples of research support for social support (obedience)?
-Gamson (1982): asked groups to provide evidence for a smear campaign for an oil company, and 88% disobeyed.
What is locus of control?
A measurement of an individual’s sense of control over their lives.
Who developed locus of control?
Rotter (1966).
What are the two types of locus of control?
-Internal.
-External.
What are characteristics of high internal locus of control?
-Resist conforming/obeying.
-Takes responsibility (self-accountable).
-Confident, good at decision making.
What are characteristics of high external locus of control?
-More likely to conform/obey.
-Doesn’t take responsibility (not self-accountable).
-Less confident, struggle to make decisions.
What are examples of research support for locus of control?
-Holland (1967): repeated Milgram’s shockplate study, but measuring participants’ type of locus of control.
•37% of internals didn’t continue to 450V.
•23% of externals didn’t continue to 450V.
