Explanations of Resistance to Social Influence Flashcards
what is social support
when someone is in agreement with you an validates your judgements
what evidence did Asch have for social support
the introduction of an ally who gave the right answer - resisted the majority caused conformity levels to drop to 5.5%
what is the importance of social support
it breaks the unanimous position of the majority
what is the effect of breaking the unanimity of the majority
raises the possibility that there are other equally legitimate ways of thinking
what is the importance of a disobedient peer
makes individuals more confident in their ability resist obeying as it takes the responsibility away from just the individual being wrong
what evidence of social support resisting obedience did Milgram find
when two other confederates were helping the participant test the learner, having withdrawn from shocking only 10% of participants continued to 450 volts
who came up with locus of control
Rotter
what is locus of control
the extent to which people perceive themselves as being in control of their own lives
what scale is locus of control measured upon
high internal to high external
what is internal locus of control
the belief that things happen as a result of an individual’s choices and decisions
what is external locus of control
the belief that things happen as a result of luck, fate or other uncontrollable external force
what are the features of an individual with high internal locus of control
- resist coercion from others
- active seekers of information
- achievement orientated
- assertive
what are the features of an individual with a high external locus of control
- more obedient
- more likely to be coerced
- ‘follower’ behaviour (relaxed, open minded, dependent)
