Explanations Of Resistance To Social Influence

Question 1

What is resistance to social influence?

Answer 1

• Refers to the ability of people to withstand the pressure to conform to the majority or obey authority

Question 2

The ability to withstand social pressure is influenced by…

Answer 2

• Situational factors
• Dispositional factors

Question 3

What is an independent role model?

Answer 3

• Someone who does not conform to the group or obey the authority figure

Question 4

What is social support?

Answer 4

• The perception of having assistance from others, which can help resist social influence by providing role models who demonstrate that not conforming or obeying is possible

Question 5

Explain social support and resisting conformity

Answer 5

• When someone else does not conform, it breaks the unanimity of the majority, reducing the pressure to conform
• Supporters and dissenters effectively lower conformity by suggesting other valid perspectives, boosting confidence in independent thinking
• The presence of an ally offers an independent assessment of reality, making individuals more confident in resisting the majority
• This dissenter acts as a role model, showing that non-conformity is possible and that the majority is no longer unanimous

Question 6

Explain social support and resisting obedience

Answer 6

• The pressure to obey can be reduced if there is another person visibly disobeying. Research shows that individuals feel more confident in resisting authority when they have an ally who also opposes the authority figure
• Disobedient peers serve as role models, challenging the legitimacy of the authority figure and making it easier for others to disobey

Question 7

What are evaluations for Social Support?

Answer 7

• Supported by Asch (+)
• Supported by Milgram (+)
• Research Support For Dissenting Peers (+)

Question 8

Explain the evaluation point ‘Supported By Asch’

Answer 8

• A strength of the social support explanation of resisting conformity is that it is supported by Asch’s research
• In one of Asch’s variations he found that when introduced the presence of an ally who gave the correct answer, providing social support for the real participant, it caused conformity levels to drop from 36.8% to 5.5%
• This is a strength of the explanation because it shows that the presence of an ally breaks the unanimity of the majority and makes it easier to conform
• Therefore strengthening the validity of social support as an explanation of resisting conformity

Question 9

Explain the evaluation point ‘Supported By Milgram’

Answer 9

• A strength of the social support explanation of resisting obedience is that it is supported by Milgram’s research
• In one of Milgram’s variations the participant was in a team of three testing the learner, the other two were confederates and refused to shock the learner. In this variation only 10% of participants carried on to the full 450 volts compared to 65% in the original study
• This is a strength of the explanation because it shows that a disobedient role model challenges the legitimacy of the authority figure and makes it easier for others to disobey
• Therefore strengthening the validity of social support as an explanation of resisting conformity

Question 10

Explain the evaluation point ‘Research Support For Dissenting Peers’

Answer 10

• A strength of the social support explanation of resisting obedience is that it is supported by research
• In Gamson et al’s (1982) study, participants were asked to produce evidence to help an oil company run a smear campaign. Higher resistance was observed as participants worked in groups and could discuss what they were being told to do. 29/33 groups rebelled against their orders
• This is a strength of an explanation because it shows that social support makes it easier to resist obedience in the real world
• Therefore strengthening the validity of social support as an explanation of resisting conformity

Question 11

What is locus of control?

Answer 11

• Refers to a person’s perception of personal control over their own behaviour

Question 12

Explain the characteristics of individuals with a high internal locus of control

Answer 12

• They perceive themselves as having significant personal control over their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions
• They see outcomes as largely determined by their own ability and effort, rather than by external forces

Question 13

Explain the characteristics of individuals with a high external locus of control

Answer 13

• They perceive their behaviour as being caused more by external influences or luck

Question 14

Why are people with a high internal locus of control more likely to resist social influence and be less influenced by others?

Answer 14

• They are in control of their own behaviour, are confident and tend not to need social approval the way that those with an external locus of control do
• They find information for themselves and make up their own minds, they are less likely to rely on the opinions of others
• They have a positive outlook, confidence and high self esteem so do not need approval from a group or an authority figure

Question 15

What are evaluation points for Locus Of Control?

Answer 15

• Supported by Shute (+)
• Supported by Holland (+)
• Over-simplistic (-)

Question 16

Explain the evaluation point ‘Supported By Shute’

Answer 16

• A strength of the locus of control explanation of resistance to social influence is that it is supported by Shute
• Shute (1975) found that people with an internal locus of control were less likely to conform to peer pressure on attitudes to drugs than people with an external locus of control
• This is a strength as the research demonstrates that people with a high internal locus of control are more likely to resist conformity as the theory suggests
• Therefore strengthening the validity of the locus of control explanation of resistance to social influence

Question 17

Explain the evaluation point ‘Supported by Holland’

Answer 17

• A strength of the locus of control explanation of resistance to social influence is that it is supported by Holland
• Holland (1967) repeated Milgram’s baseline study and measured whether participants were internals or externals. He found that 37% of internals did not continue to the highest shock level, showed resistance, whereas only 23% of externals did not continue
• This is a strength as the research demonstrates that people who have a high internal locus of control are more likely to disobey an authority figure as the theory suggests
• Therefore strengthening the validity of the locus of control explanation of resistance to social influence

Question 18

Explain the evaluation point ‘Over-simplistic’

Answer 18

• A limitation of the locus of control explanation of resistance to social influence is that it is over-simplistic
• Many psychologists argue that Rotter’s measure of locus of control is too general and inflexible, as people can exhibit both internal and external locus of control at different times. For example, someone may take personal responsibility for their academic success but attribute their romantic relationship outcomes to external factors like luck or fate.
• This is a limitation because the theory ignores the complexity of human behaviour and does not take into consideration the influence of situational factors on independent behaviour
• Therefore this limits the validity of the locus of control explanation of resistance to social influence