Resistance To Social Influence Flashcards
What is resistance to social influence?
The ability of people to withstand the social pressures to conform/obey authority or threats to freedom of choice
What is independent behaviour?
Resistance to social influence which is due to disobedience and non-conformity
Examples studies where people don’t conform
Asch- 26%
Milgram- 35%
Hofling- 1/22
What is a dissenter
Someone who resists social influence like harry styles wearing a dress
Characteristics of a dissenter
- high self esteem
- low anxiety in social situations
- willingness to stand out + be individuated
- strong need for self expression
What are the 2 explanations for resistance to social influence?
- Social support
- Loctus of control
What is social support?
Presence of people who resist social pressure can help others do the same. They act as models to show others that resistance is possible.
Example of social support
In Milgrams study where the teacher had support from disobedient confederates obedience by naive participants dropped by 10%
What is locus of control?
The extent to which people perceive themselves to be in control of their own lives. It’s on a continuum- aren’t internal/external indefinitely- different situations will be explained in different ways
What is an internal locus of control?
Where people believe that things that happen to them are largely controlled by themselves. Good grades is because of hard work put in
What is external locus of control?
Things that happen are out of our control, if you fail a test its because of a bad teacher
Which locus of control are more resistant to social pressure and why?
Internals- see themselves in control of situation as more likely to perceive themselves as having free choice to conform or obey
Evaluation points:
S: research evidence Teen Fresh Start
S: research support Gamson
S: social support explanation Allen + Levine
S: research support to link LOC and resistance Holland
L: evidence challenges link between LOC and resistance Twenge
L: limited role of LOC
