Resistance to social influence

Question 1

What is resistance to SI?

Answer 1

Refers to ability to resist social pressure to conform to majority/obey authority

Question 2

What are the two explanations?

Answer 2

Social support + Locus of control

Question 3

What is social support?

Answer 3

SS can help people resist conformity/obedience if others present are not doing it. Asch- found in variation- addition of another person not conforming = makes another person free to think for their self. Milgram- found in variation- obedience dropped 65% - 10% when p’s joined by confs.

Question 4

What is locus of control?

Answer 4

The extent to which person sees themselves as having ctrl of their future. Rotter argues people with iLoC= believe in charge of own future. People with eLoC= believe things happen w/ out ctrl- tend to blame others/luck/God. Furthermore, person who sees themselves to have ILoC= ml to resist SI compared to ELoC.

Question 5

(AO3) Supporting research for SS?

Answer 5

Allen and Levine: repeated Asch’s study- found conformity decreased when 1 non-conforming conf in group- even if had vision difficulties. Shows even if another dissenter in group-who looks blind- helps others think w/ their conscience+reduces pressure. + as SR= IVOT

Question 6

(AO3) Supporting research for LoC?

Answer 6

Holland: repeated Milgram’s study- found 37% of internals didn’t continue to highest shock lvl whereas 23% externals didn’t continue. Shows those who had (iLoC) high ctrl of themselves were able to resist more easily. + as results IVOT. However, diff=14% which shows not much of difference.

Question 7

(AO3) Opposing research for LoC?

Answer 7

Twenge: analysed data from American obedience studies over 40yr period- found overtime people became more resistant to obedience but also more external. Shows that theory= contradicted by real results which casts doubt onto theory. - as DVOT.

Question 8

(AO3) Why is the LoC explanation’s influence over exaggerated?

Answer 8

Rotter: argues LoC only comes into play in unfamiliar situations. In familiar- people’s past experiences will become more important in governing their behaviour. - as limited explanation + can’t explain all instances of resistance to SI.