Social psychology: topic 8 ‘loc and social support’

Question 1

What is the locus of control?

Answer 1

• an explanation of resistance to social influence (Rotter)
• refers to a persons perception of personal control over their own behaviour
• usually measured using self report questionnaires where ppts are scored along a continuum of ‘high internal’ to ‘high external’ with levels in between

Question 2

What are high internals in the locus of control?

Answer 2

• high internal perceive themselves as being in control over their behaviour and so are more likely to take personal responsibility for it (eg that it happened because i made it happen)
• high intervals also tend to be active seekers if information, more self confident and less in need of social approval

Question 3

What are high externals in locus of control?

Answer 3

• high externals perceive their behaviour as being controlled by external influences such as other people or luck (eg that happened because i was in the wrong place at the wrong time)

Question 4

Who is more likely to resist social influence and why?

Answer 4

• high internals because they feel they have more personal control over their own behaviour

Question 5

What is the social support explanation for the resistance to social influence?

Answer 5

• pressure to confirm us at its most powerful when a group is unanimous (eg when every member of the group acts the same way)
• likewise, pressure to obey is at its most powerful when everyone obeys the figure of authority
• however, if at least one person in a group resists the pressure to conform or obey (called a ‘dissenter’) this can help other to do the same
• these people act as models to show others that resistance to social influence is possible by demonstrating the consequences of resisting
• for example, if someone rebels and disobeys an authority figure but avoids punishment, this may reduce the fear of disobeying in others
• the social support provided by allies ‘frees’ other up to act according to their own conscience