Social Influence : Locus of Control

Question 1

Locus of control

Answer 1

The perception of how much control people have over their own behaviour, measured on a continuum from high external to high internal

Question 2

Rotter (1966)

Answer 2

Theory of Locus of Control - a construct that’s said to be a part of our personality, it describes the extent to which an individual feels in control of what happens to them and the extent to which they cab affect their life

Question 3

Internal control - “i control my destiny”

Answer 3

The belief that events in your life are a result of controllable factors like beliefs, attitudes, preparation and effort

Question 4

External control - “others control my destiny”

Answer 4

The belief that events in your life are a result of uncontrollable factors such as the environment, other people, higher power

Question 5

LoC makes you more independent because… (5 points)

Answer 5

• ppl with high internal LoC are less likely to care about others opinions
• more likely to be leaders and are achievement motivated
• better able to resist coercion from others
• more intelligent and need less social approval
• more incident and have ‘strong’ personalities

Question 6

Advantage to LoC

Answer 6

Empirical evidence - Holland (1967) replicated Milgram’s baseline study and measured whether Ps were ‘internals’ or ‘externals’, he found that 37% internals didn’t continue and 23% externals

Question 7

Limitation of LoC

Answer 7

Twenge et al (2004) analysed data from LoC studies between 1960-2002 which showed that over time people have become more resistant to obedience but also more external

Question 8

Resistance to social influence

Answer 8

The ability to withstand the social pressure to conform or obey (influenced by situational and dispositional factors)

Question 9

Disobedient figures

Answer 9

Act as role models where individuals can model their behaviour to become defiant