Social influence - resistance to social influence Flashcards
What is Rotter’s (1966) explanation for resistance to social influence (RTSI)?
Locus of control (LOC)
What type of explanation is this?
Dispositional
What is meant by LOC?
It’s a construct part of our personality. It’s the perception of how much control people have over their own behaviour. It’s measured on a continuum from high external to high internal
What is an internal LOC?
The belief that events in an individual’s life are a result of controllable factors (such as beliefs, attitudes, preparation and effort). People believe they can control their own life
Give an example of an internal LOC
Cassie admitted she failed the exam because she was too busy to revise
What is an external LOC?
The belief that events in an individual’s life are a result of uncontrollable factors (such as the environment, other people or a higher power). People don’t believe they can control their own life
Give an example of an external LOC
Jacob argued that he failed the test because the teacher didn’t teach the class the right things
Why are internals more likely to resist social influence?
They
- are less likely to care about others’ opinions
- are more intelligent and need less social approval
- are more confident and are thought to have a strong personality
- are more likely to feel more responsibility for their actions
What is a strength of the explanation that an internal locus of control can increase resistance to obedience? - Supportive empirical obedience
===> Holland (1967) replicated Milgram’s baseline study and measured whether ppts. were ‘internals’ or ‘externals’. 37% of internals resisted compared to only 23% of externals. Demonstrates individuals with internal loci of control showed greater resistance to authority. However, results are correlational so don’t establish causation. Though does increase validity of LOC explanation of resistance to social influence
What is a limitation of the LOC explanation of resistance to social influence? - Contradictory evidence
===> Twenge et al (2004) analysed data from LOC studies in USA between 1960-2002 and it showed people have become more resistant to obedience but more external in their LOC. Rutter’s LOC explanation links higher resistance to internal LOC but this wasn’t the case. Challenges relationship between 2 constructs and lowers validity of explanation
How can social support help to resist conformity?
Having an ally can build confidence to stand up against the majority and allow individuals to remain independent. The dissenter breaks the unanimity of the group and raises the option that there are other ways of thinking
How can you use Asch (1955) as evidence for social support helping to resist conformity?
Presence of a dissenter enables an individual to resist conforming - conformity rate fell from 32% to 5%. As soon as dissenter conformed again, so did naïve ppt.
How can social support help to resist obedience?
Disobedient figures act as role models, on which the individual can model their behaviour to become defiant
How can you use Milgram (1963) as evidence for social support helping to resist obedience?
2 disobedient confederates in a variation meant only 10% continued to 450V, compared to 65% when on their own
What is a strength of the dissenter role as an explanation of resistance to conformity? - Supportive empirical evidence
===> Allen and Levine (1971) found conformity decreased when there was a dissenter in an Asch type study. Decrease even occurred when they wore thick glasses and said he had trouble seeing, suggesting the dissenter might not be confident in his answer. Supports argument that it’s not just about conforming by following what someone else is saying but that the dissenter actually frees people from the group pressure of NSI, increasing validity of explanation
