Resistance to Social Influence

Question 1

Resistance to Social Influence

Answer 1

Social support and Locus of control

Question 2

Social support

Answer 2

resist as have an ally or someone supporting view which builds confidence to remain independent. Don’t fear ridicule so avoid NSI. Dissenter allows us to act on own accord, they act as role model

Question 3

Social support (conformity research)

Answer 3

Asch’s line study found conformity reduced when dissenter present, didn’t have to be right to conform. Not long lasting events as when dissenter stopped, so did they. Their dissent allows for more dissent as majority no longer unanimous.

Question 4

Social support (obedience research)

Answer 4

Obedience dropped to 10% when joined by disobedient confederate. May not follow behaviour but allows to choose own actions. It challenges legitimacy of authority so easier to disobey.

Question 5

(S) Strength (R)

Answer 5

Research support - Allen and Levine (1971) Asch like study found conformity decreased when dissenter.
Shows presence alone enough to make conform.
However, artificial so don’t know how behave in life.
Still needed to be sure.

Question 6

(S) Strength (A)

Answer 6

Explain real life events - 1943 Gestapo held 2,000 Jewish men but the women protested in Berlin until released.
Shows how even a small group gives enough confidence to obey orders that could cost lives.
Furthermore, important for social support to lead to social change.
Helps to disobey but also change world.

Question 7

(S) Strength (S)

Answer 7

Research support - Gamson et al (1982) 29/33 groups rebelled against unjust authority figure running smear campaign.
Social support matters so don’t feel powerless giving confidence to stand up.
Furthermore, importance of ‘devils advocate’ especially when destructive authority figure.
Social support generalisable and should be applied.

Question 8

Locus of control

Answer 8

Rotter (1966) proposed the degree to which people believe they have control over the outcome of events is the locus control. Internal locus of control means do have control over own behaviour so those with high will resist pressures as consequences would be of own making. Also tend to be more self-confident a trait that allows for greater resistance. External means feel little control and controlled by external factors so high means likely to not resist.

Question 9

(L) Strength (R)

Answer 9

Research support - Oliner and Oliner found that of 532 non-Jewish people those who rescued Jews were more likely to have an internal LOC.
Supports idea, gives validity.
Furthermore, population validity and representative.
Supports.

Question 10

(L) Weakness (R)

Answer 10

Refuting evidence - Spector (1983) students with internal LOC less likely to conform to NSI but no difference with ISI.
Decrease validity as not all situations of conformity.
However, lacks population validity, Perrin and Spencer (1980) believe students less susceptible to ISI as confident in abilities.
More research with wider population so generalisable.

Question 11

(L) Strength (C)

Answer 11

Link between LOC and resistance - Holland (1967) repeated Milgram’s study and measured LOC found 37% of pps who didn’t go full volts had internal and only 23% external.
Internal show greater resistance.
However, small proportion suggesting something else impacts resistance.
Partly because of LOC giving it some validity.