Locus of Control and Obedience - AO3

Question 1

Blass (1991) - positive correlation

Answer 1

Blass (1991) found that people with an internal locus of control were more likely to resist obeying than those with an external locus of control, especially if they suspected they were being coerced or manipulated

Question 2

Schurz (1985) - no correlation

Answer 2

A study by Schurz (1985), using Austrian participants who were asked to give increasingly painful bursts of ultrasound to a learner, being told that the highest level could cause skin damage, revealed no link between locus of control and obedience among the 80% of participants who went to the maximum ultrasound level. However, the p’s who were classed as having an internal locus of control tended to take more responsibility for their actions than those with an external locus

Question 3

Blass (1992) - no correlation

Answer 3

Blass reviewed many studies of locus of control and independent behaviour, and concluded that there is no clear link between the two, as many studies supported the link while others found none