SI, Resistance to SI

Question 1

What are 2 explanations for resistance to social influence?

Answer 1

• social support (dissenters)
• locus of control (extent to which we believe we are in control of our lives)

Question 2

Research into social support?

Answer 2

• Albrecht et al (2006): evaluated programme helping pregnant teenage smokers resist smoking, 8-week programme, social support = older mentor, those with a mentor more likely to resist smoking VS control group of teenagers without an older mentor

Question 3

Research into locus of control?

Answer 3

• Holland (1967): repeated Milgram’s baseline experiment, measured participants locus of control, 37% of high internals & 24% of high externals did not continue to max voltage, high internal locus of control more likely to resist social pressure high externals are less likely to resist social pressure
• counterpoint: Rotter (1982): LOC only has influence in new situations, if previously obeyed/conformed likely they will do so again despite LOC