Resistance to Social Influence Flashcards
What is Locus of Control?
Refers to an individual differences in people’s beliefs and generalised expectations about what controls events in their lives. There are two extremes - internal and external.
What is an internal locus of control?
People who believe that the things that happen are controlled by themself. MORE LIKELY TO RESIST SOCIAL INFLUENCE.
What is an external locus of control?
People who believe that the things that happen are controlled by outside factors. LESS LIKELY TO RESIST SOCIAL INFLUENCE.
Rotter LOC research - meta analysis
Participants had to choose between two statements in each question relating to an external/internal locus of control. After, responses were totalled to see if they had an internal or external LOC. He found internal preferred to bet on certainties whereas external preferred risky gambles. Internal were more resistant to influence compared to external who were more likely to conform/obey.
Evaluation - Can locus of control explain resistance to social influence?
Strength - research shows strong positive correlation between LOC and resistance to social influence.
Avtgis meta analysis found correlation
suggests it is valid as there is research to support - internal LOC may resist due to feeling in control and having personality unlike external. Other variables however may affect correlation eg upbringing and self esteem.
Oliner and Oliner conducted research on 406 people who rescued Jews and 126 who didn’t. The 406 people had scoes demonstrating an internal LOC.
Clearly felt more in control and felt responsibility to help.
Rotter accepts LOC is more important in new situations rather than familiar ones.
What is social support?
People who resist social pressures to conform or obey and help others to do the same.
Evidence for resistance to conformity (Asch Variation) Social Support
Asch introduced a non-conforming ally who gave the correct answer and conformity decreased by 70% as the dissenter acted as a model and gave the ppt the confidence to resist social pressures of conformity and due to the unanimity of the group being broken.
Evidence for resistance to obedience (Milgram Variation) Social Support
Three participants shared the role of the teacher ( one real ppt and two confederates). At a certain point the two confederate teachers refused to carry on. Only 10% of real ppts went on to shock 450v (original 65%).
Teachers acted as models which gave them the confidence to resist social influence too.
Evaluation - Can social support explain resistance to social influence?
Strength - research support (Ash Variation) Allies broke pressures to conform and unanimous wrong answers so the dissenter gave them the confidence to answer truthfully. However lacks ecological validity and mundane realism.
Research shows if individuals resisted conformity to binge drinking if 1 or 2 friends also resisted. Shows social support in a real life scenario. Further evidence in real life - In 1943 a group of german women protested the holding of 2000 Jewish men. Women found courage in presence of disobedient peers.
