Resistance to social influence Flashcards
What are explanations to resistance to social influence?
Social support, Locus of control
Social support
When someone has an ally supporting their view and they no longer fear being ridiculed for a different view, this allows avoidance of NSI and is a short term effect
What is research support for social support?
Allen and Levine (1971)
Allen and Levine (1971)
Conformity levels dropped in Asch’s line study when there was a dissenter which disagreed with the majority. This was even true in an ‘invalid’ supporter condition where the confederate had difficulty with vision - this shows it is the presence of the supporter not ISI which allows us to resist pressure to conform.
Social support in conformity
The pressure to conform can be reduced if there are other people present who are not conforming.
What did Asch find relating to social support in conformity
Conformity dropped to 5.5% when correct but 9% if incorrect
Social support in obedience
The pressure to obey can be reduced if there is another person who is seen to disobey.
What did Milgram find in social support in obedience?
Obedience rate dropped from 65% to 10%. Research support from Gamson et al (1982)
Gamson et al (1982) procedure
- Volunteers from USA newspaper to discuss ‘standards of behaviour in the community’, then the sacking of a manager, and it was filmed
- pps encouraged to repel against unjust authority
- they had their own opinion but were then told what to say by cameraman and support the sacking
Gamson et al (1982) results
- 32/33 groups rebelled, 25/33 refused consent to use footage
- shows social support
What are the strengths of social support as a explanation of resistance to social influence?
- Research support, Aschs study (reduced to 5.5%) and Milgrams study (reduced to 10%)
- Can be applied to real life, in Gamson study there was high ecological validity
