Resistance To Social Influence A01&3

Question 1

Strength

Answer 1

P-research evidence supports the role of dissenting peers in resisting conformity
E-Allen and Levine found independence increased with one dissenter in an Asch type study
E-this occurred even if the dissenter wore thick glasses and said he had problems with vision
L-so resistance is not motivated by following what someone else says but it enables someone to be free of pressure from the group

Question 2

Strength

Answer 2

P-research evidence supports the link between LOC and resistance to obedience
E-Holland repeated the milgram study and measured whether participants were internals or externals
E-37% of internals did not continue to the highest shock level. Only 23% of externals did not continue
L-so internals showed greater resistance, this support increased the validity of the LOC explanation and our confidence that it can explain resistance

Question 3

Limitation

Answer 3

P-not all research supports the link between LOC and resistance
E-twenge et al. analysed data from American locus of control studies over 40 years showing that people have become more independent but also more external
E-if resistance was linked to internal LOC we would expect people to have become more internal
L-this challenges the link between internal LOC and resistance but the results may be due to a changing society where many things are increasingly outside personal control

Question 4

Limitation

Answer 4

P-the role of LOC in resisting social influences may be exaggerated
E-Rotter found LOC is only important in new situations. It had little influence in familiar situations where previous experiences are always more important
E-this is often overlooked. It means people who have conformed or obeyed in specific situations in the past are likely to do so again, even if they have a high internal LOC
L-limitation because it means that LOC is only helpful in explaining a narrow range of situations