Resistance to Social Influence

• What is resistance to social influence?

  It is the ability of individuals to oppose the pressure to conform or obey.
• What does resistance to social influence involve?

  Maintaining personal autonomy and integrity in thoughts, decisions, and actions.
• What was the overall conformity rate in Asch's study?

  32%
• What percentage of participants in Asch's study resisted conformity on every critical trial?

  25%
• What was the overall obedience rate in Milgram's study?

  65%
• What percentage of participants in Milgram's study resisted the pressure to obey by refusing to deliver the full 450v shock?

  35%
• What are the two main explanations of resistance to social influence?

  • Social support (situational explanation)
  • Locus of control (dispositional explanation)
• What is social support in the context of resistance to social influence?

  It is the presence of others who defy authority or go against majority opinion.
• How does social support affect an individual's confidence to resist conformity or obedience?

  It significantly reduces the perceived risk of nonconformity or disobedience.
• What does the diffusion of responsibility mean in the context of social support?

  The more people who disobey, the less severe the consequences are likely to be.
• How does having a non-conformist ally affect resistance to conformity?

  It breaks the group's unanimity and creates an alternate group to belong to.
• How does a disobedient role model influence resistance to obedience?

  It challenges the legitimacy of authority, making individuals more likely to resist.
• What was the effect of social support on obedience in Milgram's variation with confederate teachers?

  The obedience rate dropped from 65% to just 10%.
• In Asch's unanimity variation, what was the effect of a confederate providing the correct response on conformity rates?

  The conformity rate dropped from 32% to 5.5%.
• What did Allen and Levine's study find regarding invalid social support?

  Even with an ally who had limited eyesight, conformity was significantly reduced.
• Why is social support considered an incomplete explanation for resistance to social influence?

  Because some individuals still conform or obey despite social support.
• What does Rotter's Locus of Control measure?

  It measures a personality trait regarding the causes of experiences and outcomes.
• How do individuals with an internal locus of control perceive their successes and failures?

  They attribute them to their own efforts and abilities.
• How do individuals with an external locus of control perceive their ability to effect change?

  They feel less empowered to effect change in their lives.
• How does an internal locus of control influence resistance to conformity?

  It encourages individuals to make independent judgments and decisions.
• How does an internal locus of control influence resistance to obedience?

  It leads individuals to question authority and defy commands that conflict with their values.
• What did Holland's replication of Milgram's study reveal about locus of control?

  37% of those with an internal LOC refused to continue to the highest shock level.
• What did Spector's study find regarding locus of control and conformity?

  Internal LOC participants were more able to resist normative social influence.
• What is a limitation of the relationship between locus of control and resistance to social influence?

  It is only correlational, and other factors may also influence resistance.
• What are some other factors that may influence resistance to social influence?

  Level of social anxiety, sense of personal morality, and social status.