Resistance to Social Influence

Question 1

What is the locus of control explanation for resistance to social influence?

Answer 1

Explains people as having either internal or external locus of control, those with internal are more likely to resist social influence

Question 2

Define internal locus of control

Answer 2

Believe they have high level of personal control over their lives, take personal responsibility
- less likely to conform and able to resist pressure

Question 3

Define external locus of control

Answer 3

Believe life is determined by external/environmental factors such as luck
- more likely to conform and be influenced by others

Question 4

What is the social support explanation of resistance to social influence?

Answer 4

When a dissenting peer is present, conformity and obedience are reduced; conformity is not permanent but obedience frees ppt to act independently

Question 5

How did social support affect Milgram and Asch’s studies?

Answer 5

~ Asch found conformity dropped to 5.5% when one confederate gave a different answer to majority, even if this was incorrect —> breaks unanimous majority
~ Milgram found obedience dropped from 65% to 10 when a disobedient confederate was present, and independent behaviour rose to 90% from 35?—> more confident to resist with an ally

Question 6

Give strengths of explanations for resistance to social influence

Answer 6

+ Research support for conformity ; Allen and Levine 1971 found independence increased w one dissenter even when they said they had vision issues —> suggests resistance is not motivated by being correct but being freed from group pressure
+ Research support for obedience; Gamson et al (1982) found higher levels of resistance in their study than in Milgram’s, may be due to being in groups —> had to help oil company produce a smear campaign, 88% rebelled
+ Research support for locus of control - Holland (1967) repeated Milgram’s study and measured whether ppts had internal or external LoC; 37% of internals did not continue to highest level vs 23% externals

Question 7

Give limitations for explanations of resistance to social influence

Answer 7

— Lab studies - research support all lab studies, lowering ecological validity due to artificial setting and tasks
— Contradictory research; Twenge et al (2004) analysed data from longitudinal study of obedience; found over time ppl became more resistant to obedience but more external locus of control —> contradicts link between resistance and internal LoC