resistance to social influence

Question 1

what is social support?

Answer 1

• one way people can resist pressure to conform/obey is if have ally - someone supporting their pov
• having an ally can build confidence + allow individuals to remain independent
• These people act as models to show others that resistance to social influence is possible
• individuals who have support for their pov no longer fear being ridiculed - allowing them to avoid nsi
• more likely to disobey orders and NOT conform

Question 2

why are we more likely to resist if there is social support?

Answer 2

dissenting ally raises possibility other equally legitimate ways of thinking/responding giving an assessment of reality which makes more confident in decision

Question 3

evaluate social support

Question 4

how is positive application a strength of social support?

Answer 4

• albrecht et al’s (2006
• shows positive effects of SS
• evaluated an eight-week programme to help pregnant adolescents aged 14-19 resist peer pressure to smoke - social support provided by a ‘buddy’
• pregnant teens less likely to not smoke if had mentor who encouraged them to resist peer pressure
• those who did not have buddy - more likely to smoke

Question 5

how does research support the link between social support + resistance to obedience?

Answer 5

• gameson et al’s (1982)
• support role of dissenting peers in resisting obedience
• ptp’s told to produce evidence that would be used to help oil company run smear campaign
• higher rates of resistance compared to milgram
• argued high rates because they were in groups so could discuss
• 88% rebelled
• shows peer support linked to greater resistance

Question 6

research that doesnt support link between social support + resistance to conformity?

Answer 6

• allen + levine’s (1971)
• showed social support does not always help in helping individuals resist the influence of a group
• asch type task carried out - in one instance when dissenter had obviously poor eyesight (thick glasses) resistance only 36%
• consider context + factors that undermine effectiveness

Question 7

what is locus of control? who was it proposed by?

Answer 7

• rotter (1966)
• how much a person believes that they have control over their own behaviour

Question 8

what are the two types of LOC? what is the LOC continuum?

Answer 8

• some people have internal LOC - believe things that happen largely controlled by themselves
• some people have external LOC - believe things that happen outside of their control
• measured along a scale - people not just internal or external - LOC is a scale - individuals can vary position on it - high internal on one end and high ex on other
• low internal + external lie in-between

Question 9

how does high internal LOC allow for resistance to social influence?

Answer 9

• people who have an internal LOC are more likely to be able to resist pressures to obey + conform as take personal responsibility for their actions
• another explanation is people with high internal LOC tend to be more self-confident, more achievement orientated + highly intelligent + have less need for social approval
• these personality traits lead to greater resistance to social influence

Question 10

evaluate loc

Question 11

research to support the link between LOC + resistance to obedience?

Answer 11

• holland’s (1967)
• repeated milgram’s baseline study into obedience + measured LOC in ptps
• 37% of internals resisted in comparison to 23% of externals
• increases validity of LOC explanation for resistance as those with internal LOC showed greater resistance

Question 12

research to contradict link between LOC + resistance?

Answer 12

• twenge et al’s (2004)
• analysed data from american LOC studies conducted over a 40 year period
• data showed over time span - people became more resistant to obedience but also more external
• if resistance linked to internal would expect people to become more internal
• suggests LOC not valid explanation of how people resist social influence

Question 13

how is previous experience overpowering critiques the links between LOC and resistance?

Answer 13

• rotter himself (1982)
• points out LOC not necessarily most important factor in determining whether someone resists social influence - LOC depends on situation
• LOC only useful for novel situations when we are in familiar situations previous experiences overpower this - if you have conformed/obeyed in specific situation in past - chances are you will do so again in situation regardless of LOC
• therefore relationship can be seen as exaggerated