Explanations of Resistance to Social Influence

Question 1

What was measured by Rotter in 1966?

Answer 1

Locus of Control - An individuals sense of control over their lives

Question 2

What is Internal LOC?

Answer 2

More control - Behaviour is caused by their own personal decisions and effort

Question 3

What is external LOC?

Answer 3

Less Control - Behaviour is caused by luck

Question 4

What do people with an internal LOC do?

Answer 4

They conform and obey less because they take more responsibility for their own actions and see themselves in control and they’re more likely to be leaders

Question 5

What do people with an external LOC do?

Answer 5

They act on the behalf of others and shift responsibility onto them, they are more susceptible towards obedience

Question 6

Give an example of high LOC

Answer 6

I won. the award because I worked hard

Question 7

Give an example of low LOC

Answer 7

I won the award because it was meant to be

Question 8

Give a + of LOC (SL)

Answer 8

There’s a supporting link between LOC and obedience. In 1988 experimenter t it was found those who scored highest on. the external LOC were more easy to persuade and conform. Therefore external LOC leads to more conformity

Question 9

Give a - of LOC

Answer 9

Only valid in novel situation. Previous experiences are more influential than LOC, it is a limited explanation

Question 10

Give a + of LOC (SR)

Answer 10

A study conducted looking at a group of people from the holocaust supports the link between LOC and Social responsibility

Question 11

In Asch’s study what happened when the confederate gave the correct answer?

Answer 11

Conformity dropped by 25% when the majority was unanimous. It gave people more confidence in their own perception by. proving a small amount of confirmation on the answer which is enough to make someone reject the majority

Question 12

Give a + of Social Support (SM)

Answer 12

Supported by Milgrams study where 2 confederates disobeyed the experimenter the presence of someone else caused obedience to drop. by 10%. Showing social support provided gave confidence to reject those in authority

Question 13

Give a + of Social Support (BG)

Answer 13

Larger groups provide a stranger social support system making resisting obedience easier. Researchers found that participants were placed in groups and 88% resisted pressure to conform