Resistance To Social Influence Flashcards
Resisting conformity
Other people not conforming- can resist. The fact that someone is not following the majority is social support. Confederate acts as a model of independent behaviour.
Resisting obedience
Another person disobeying. One of milgrams variations- rate of obedience dropped from 65% to 10% when the genuine participant was joined by a disobedient confederate. The disobedient model challenges the legitimacy of the authority figure, making it easier for others to disobey.
Locus of control
Rotter(1966) proposed locus of control. Internal control vs external control. Some people are internals- believe the things that happen to them are largely controlled by themselves. Some people are externals- believe things that happen to them are out of their control. People with high LOC are more able to resist pressures to conform or obey- take responsibility. Are also more confident and intelligent- more resistant to social influence.
Strength-social support-research
Albrecht et al (2006) evaluated an eight week programme to help pregnant adolescents aged 14-19 resist peer pressure to smoke. Social support provide by mentor- older. People with a mentor less likely to smoke than people in control group who didn’t have a mentor.
Furthermore this research has important implications on others areas of society. Stopping pregnant teens from engaging in dangerous and damaging behaviour during pregnancy means that the likelihood of giving birth to a baby with health problems is also reduced. This means that healthcare providers, that are often already stretched to capacity, will not have to expend resources on medical issues that could have been prevented in advance and will be able to focus their attention on people that are in need of care for reasons that are beyond their control.
Strength- social support- research support for dissenting peers
Gamson et al (1982) participants were told to produce evidence that would be used to help and oil company run a smear campaign. Researchers found higher levels of resistance in their study than milgram did in his. -group could discuss. 88% rebelled against orders.
Limitation -social support -thick glasses
Allen and Levine (1971) in Asch type study, dissenter had obvious poor eyesight (thick glasses), but resistance to conform was only 36% even with social support.
Strength- locus of control- research
Supports link between LOC and resistance to obedience. Holland (1967) repeated milgrams baseline study and measures whether participants were internals or externals. 37% of internals didn’t continue to highest shock level, whereas 23% of externals didn’t continue. Internals resist more.
Limitation- LOC- contradictory research
Twenge et al (2004) analysed data from American LOC studies conducted over a 40 year period. Data showed that over that period people became more resistant to obedience but also more external. Contradicts.
