Resistance to social influence: Social support & Locus of control

Question 1

resistance to social influence

Answer 1

refers to the ability of people to withstand the social pressure to conform to the majority or to obey authority. This ability to withstand social pressure is influenced by both situational and dispositional factors.

Question 2

Social support

Answer 2

the presence of people who resist pressure to conform or obey can help others to do the same. These people act as models to show others that resistance to social influence is possible.

Question 3

Conformity

Answer 3

• social support

- the pressure to conform can be reduced if there are other people present who are not conforming.

Question 4

Obedience

Answer 4

• social support

- the pressure to obey can be reduced if there is another person who is seen to obey

Question 5

Locus of control

Answer 5

refers to the sense we each have about what directs events in our lives. Internals believe they are mostly responsible for what happens to them (internal locus of control). Externals believe it is mainly a matter of luck or other outside forces (external locus of control).

Question 6

Continuum

Answer 6

there’s a continuum with high internal LOC at one end and high external LOC at the other end, with low internal and external lying in between.

Question 7

Resistance to social influence

Answer 7

• people who have an internal LOC are more likely to be able to resist pressure to conform or obey.
• people with high internal LOC tend to be more self-confident, more achievement-orientated, have higher intelligence and have less need for social approval.
• these personality traits lead to greater resistance to social influence.