Resistance to social influence

Question 1

What does the theory of social support suggest

Answer 1

The pressure to conform can be resisted if other people present are also resisting conformity;

Question 2

What is the role of a dissenter in a study?

Answer 2

to model independent behaviour and demonstrate to ps that it is ok to follow their own conscience;

Question 3

How does social support lead to a resistance of social influence?

Answer 3

It breaks unanimity which is a powerful binding factor
Challenges the legitimacy of authority figure;

Question 4

What does a External LOC suggest?

Answer 4

You tend to believe that things that happen are outside of their control;

Question 5

What does an Internal LOC suggest?

Answer 5

You belive that things that happen to you are largely controlled by yourself;

Question 6

Which type of people are more able to resist pressures to conform/obey?

Answer 6

People with a high internal LOC
- they tend to take personal responsivility for their actions and experiences and therefore base their decisions on theri own beliefs rather than depending on the opinion of others;

Question 7

Explain Albrecht et al’s procedure

Answer 7

• 8 week programme to help pregnant adolescents to resist peer pressure to smoke
• provided with slightly older, non-smoker ‘buddy’ (positive social support);

Question 8

Explain Albrecht et al’s findings

Answer 8

at the end of the programme, they found that ps with a buddy were significantly less likely to smoke than control group;

Question 9

Explain Gamson et al’s procedure and findings

Answer 9

ps were told to produce evidence used to help an oil company in a smear campaign
- higher levels of resistance than milgram
- ps were in groups so could discuss
- 29/33 rebelled
therefore showing peer support can lead to disobedience by undermining the legitimacy of the authority figure;

Question 10

Explain Allen and Levine’s procedure and findings

Answer 10

• Asch task
• dissenter was someone with apparently good eyesight
• 64% genuine ps refused to conform;

Question 11

Explain Holland’s study and findings

Answer 11

• repeated Milgram’s baseline study however with LOC as a factor:
• 37% internals didnt continue to 4500V
• 23% externals didnt continue to 450V
  this shows that resistance is at least partly related to LOC;

Question 12

Explain Twenge et al’s procedure and findings

Answer 12

• analysed data from American LOC studies conducted 1960- 2002
• data showed that over time resistance to obedience increased and people became more external;