Social Psychology: Independent Behaviour

Question 1

Name the 3 factors that explain how people resist pressures to conform

Answer 1

Moral Consideration
Role of Allies
Non-Conformist Personalities

Question 2

Explain Role of Allies

Answer 2

In one of Asch’s variations he found that if a participant protested and showed a non-conformist attitude, and another person would give them social support, then conformity rates would decrease massively.

Question 3

Explain Moral Considerations when resisting pressures to conform

Answer 3

People will conform to the majority even when they know the majority position is wrong, because this will avoid unwelcome attention.

Question 4

Explain Non-Conformist Personalities

Answer 4

Individuals who respond to majority influence with independence tend to be unconcerned with social norms. Such individuals are said to have an anti-conformity orientation to their personalities.

Question 5

Name 2 factors that explain how people resist pressures to obey

Answer 5

Insights from Milgram’s studies

Moral Considerations

Question 6

Explain the insights from Milgram’s Studies

Answer 6

Milgram found in some of his variations that when being made aware of your actions and having social support would increase resitance.

Question 7

Explain Moral Considerations when resisting pressures to obey

Answer 7

Kohlberg, found that those who based their decisions on moral principles were more defiant in Milgram’s experiment, while those who were at a resitricted moral level obeyed the experimenter completely.

Question 8

What is meant by Locus of Control?

Answer 8

This refers to a person’s perception of personal control over their own behaviour. There are two types: Internal and External Locus’ of control. Internal Locus of Control is a person who believes in their behaviour is caused primarily by their own personal decisions and efforts. External Locus of control is when a person believes their behaviour is caused primarily by fate, luck or by other external circumstances.