Independent behaviour Flashcards
What is the LOC?
The Locus of Control
What is the locus of control?
How much a person believes they have control over their own behaviour
What is the agentic state (external LOC)?
When an individual believes their behaviour is predetermined by an external being (such as God, fate, other people)
What is the autonomous state (internal LOC)?
When an individual believes their behaviour is determined by their own thoughts and feelings
Are people more likely to obey if they have an internal LOC or external LOC?
External
The locus of control is on a continuum. What does this mean?
It is a fluid model and has no fixed points
What is the agentic shift?
A shift from an agentic state (external LOC) to an autonomous state (internal LOC)
What are the characteristics of someone with a high internal LOC?
Neurotic, anxious, depressed
What are the characteristics of someone with a high external LOC?
Relaxed, easy-going
What are the gender stereotypes of LOC theory?
That men are more internal and women are more external
What is the desire to maintain control?
The idea that we can control events in our lives, as opposed to the idea of yielding to social influence
What did Burger (1992) demonstrate?
That people with a high need for personal control are more likely to resist conformity pressures than those with a lower need.
What did Daubman’s 1993 study show?
Participants were given jigsaw puzzles to work on. They also took a Desirability test, and results were accumulated on a Desirability of Control Scale. Those who scored low on the Desirability test welcomed hints on the puzzles. However, those who scored highly felt worse after help was offered.
This supports Burger’s contention that other people’s offers of advice or attempts at influence are seen as threats.
What effect might the agentic shift (external LOC) have on resisting obedience?
If a person believes that they will not be held responsible for doing something deemed ‘bad’ in a situation, they are more likely to do it.
What effect might the autonomous state (internal LOC) have on resisting obedience?
If someone has an internal LOC, they believe that what they do is up to them and they are less likely to obey.
