Lesson 11- Explanations of resistance to Social influence (Locus of control)

Question 1

Who proposed the idea of locus of control & when did they do so?

Answer 1

Rotter (1966)

Question 2

What is locus of control?

Answer 2

Locus of Control- person’s perception of degree of personal control they have over their behaviour 🏃‍♂️

Question 3

What is external locus of control & how does it influence behaviour 🏃‍♂️?

Answer 3

Those with ⬆️ external locus of control see future & their actions resulting largely from factors outside their control such as luck/fate … ⬇️ likely to show resistance to social influence

Question 4

What is internal locus of control & how does it influence behaviour 🏃‍♂️?

Answer 4

Those with internal locus of control feel 💪 sense of control over their lives than people with an external focus- active seekers of info- rely less on opinion of others & … ⬆️ likely to resist pressure from others

Question 5

How does internal LOC work?

Answer 5

Internal LOC- if person takes responsibility for their actions & experiences (good or bad) then they are ⬆️ likely to base their decisions on own beliefs & … resist pressures from other people
- ALSO- ⬆️ self-confident, ⬆️ achievement orientated, have ⬆️ intelligence & have ⬇️ need for social approval- these personality traits-> to ⬆️ resistance to social influence.

Question 6

What is an example of something a person with an internal LOC would say?

Answer 6

Example: “I have failed my exam.”
- Internal locus of control – “I really should have studied more. I know that I didn’t put as much effort into revision as I could have.”

Question 7

What is an example of something a person with an external LOC would say?

Answer 7

Example: “I have failed my exam.”
- External locus of control – I had a rubbish teacher. My little brother kept interrupting me when I tried to revise. The exam was on a really bad day.”

Question 8

What are the evaluation points for LOC as an explanation for resistance to social influence?

Answer 8

👎- Rotter (1982)- role of LOC in resisting social influence exaggerated since LOC comes into play in new situations BUT ✖️ in familiar situations where previous experiences ⬆️ important- point overlooked in discussions of LOC & resistance- e.g. even if individual does have ⬆️ internal LOC BUT have conformed/obeyed in previous situations- likely to do so again!
👍- Oliner & Oliner (1988)- interviewed 2 groups of non-Jewish people who had lived through the Holocaust & Nazi 🇩🇪. Compared 406 people- protected & rescued Jews from the Nazis & 126 people- ✖️. Oliner & Oliner- found group that rescued Jews had scores demonstrating internal LOC
👎- Twenge (2004)- analysed data from 🇺🇸 obedience studies over a 40 years period- data showed over ⏰ span- people ⬆️ resistant to obedience BUT ⬆️ external- would expect ppl to be ⬆️ internal if ⬆️ resistant … challenges link between internal LOC & ⬆️ resistant behaviour- suggests obedience linked to external factors such as changing society
👍- Holland 🇳🇱 (1967)- repeated Milgram’s baseline study- measured whether pps internal or external- found 37% internal- ✖️ continue to highest⚡️shock (showed resistance) & 23% externals ✖️ continue … research support ⬆️ validity of LOC explanation