Resistance to Social Influence

Question 1

Resistance to social influence

Answer 1

The ability of people to withstand the social pressure to conform. It is influenced by situational and dispositional factors

Question 2

Locus of control (LOC)

Answer 2

The sense we each have about what directs events in our lives. Those with internal LOC believe they’re responsible for what happens to them. Those with external LOC believe it’s down to luck or external factors

Question 3

Who proposed the LOC concept?

Answer 3

Rotter (1966)

Question 4

Why are people with internal LOC more able to resist social influence?

Answer 4

They tend to base their decisions off their own belief, are more self-confident and achievement-oriented

Question 5

Evaluation of LOC

Answer 5

• Research evidence for link between LOC and obedience (eg. Holland found less intervals went to 450V in Milgram’s study)
• Evidence challenging link between LOC and resistance (eg. Twenge found over time people have become more external and resistant)

Question 6

Social support

Answer 6

The presence of people who resist pressures to conform or obey, freeing others act from their own conscience. These people act as models of independent behaviour

Question 7

Evaluation of social support

Answer 7

• Research support for positive effect of social support (eg. Albrecht found adolescents with a mentor were less likely to smoke)
• Social support doesn’t always help (eg. In Asch-style study when dissenter wore thick glasses conformity only fell to 36%)