Explanations of Resistance to Social Influence Flashcards
What are the two explanations of resistance to social influence?
- Locus of control.
- Social support.
Who proposed the locus of control?
Rotter (1966).
What does the locus of control refer to?
A person’s perception of personal control over their own behaviour.
What technique is usually used to measure the locus of control?
Self-report questionnaires.
How is the locus of control scored?
Along a continuum of high internal to high external.
How do individuals with a high internal locus of control percieve themselves?
They percieve themselves as being in control over their behaviour; they are more self-confident and less in need of social approval.
What is someone with a high internal locus of control more likely to do?
Take personal responsibilty for their behaviour.
How do individuals with a high external locus of control percieve themselves?
They percieve their behaviour as being controlled by external influences, such as other individuals or luck.
Which type of locus of control would be most likely to resist social influence?
High internal locus of control.
What are the three evaluation points for the locus of control explanation?
+ Holland (1967).
- Twenge et al (2004).
- Role of LOC may have been exaggerated.
What does the social support explanation refer to?
The idea that if at least one person in a group resists the pressure to conform/obey (dissenter), it shows others that resistance is possible by demonstrating how to resist and the consequences of resisting.
What are the three evaluation points for the social support explanation?
+ Asch (1951 - breaking unanimity with a dissenter).
+ Allen and Levine (1971).
+ Milgram (1963 - obedience with dissenters).
