SI - Resistance to social influence Flashcards
What did Asch (1956) find about the presence of social support?
It enables an individual to resist conformity pressure from the majority.
The social support offered by the ally in Asch’s study of conformity led to what % drop in conformity?
From 33% (with the unanimous majority) to just 5.5%
What does the most important aspect of social support appear to be?
That it breaks the unanimous position of the majority.
Why are supporters and dissenters likely to be effective in reducing conformity?
Because, by breaking the unanimity of the majority, they raise the possibility that there are other, equally legitimate, ways of thinking or responding.
Why does the presence of an ally decrease ones conformity?
As it provides the individual with an independent assessment of reality that makes them feel more confident in their decision and better able to stand up to the majority.
Research has shown that individuals are generally more confident in their ability to resist the temptation to obey if what?
If they can find an ally who is willing to join them in opposing the authority figure.
How were allies used in a variation of Milgram’s study to investigate social support and resisting obedience.
The ppt was one of a team of three testing the learner. The other two were actually confederates who, one after another, refused to continue shocking the learner and withdrew. Their defiance had a liberating influence on the real ppts, with only 10% continuing to the maximum 450V shock level.
What does the term locus of control refer to?
A person’s perception of personal control over their own behaviour.
Along what dimension is locus of control measured?
High internal to high external.
What is a strong internal locus of control associated with?
The belief that we can control events in our life.
What do people with an internal locus of control believe?
That what happens to them is largely a consequence of their own ability and effort.
What type of behaviour are people with an internal locus of control likely to display?
Independence in thought and behaviour.
How well can people high in internality resist social influence?
They are better able to resist social influence as they rely less on the opinions of others.
What do people with an external locus of control tend to believe?
That what happens to them is determined by external factors, such as the influence of others or luck. They have a sense that things ‘just happen to them’ and are largely out of their control.
How do people high in externality tend to approach events?
With a more passive and fatalistic attitude than internals, taking less personal responsibility for their actions and being less likely to display independent behaviour and more likely to accept the influence of others.
