Explanations for resistance to social influence

• Resistance to social influence 


  So far in the social influence topic we have covered two types of social influence: conformity and obedience. Resistance to social influence therefore refers to when individuals resist pressures to conform and/or obey.
• Locus of control as an explanation for resistance to social influence.


  Locus of control (LOC) refers to how much a person believes they have control over events that happen in their lives. This is usually measured along a scale with a high internal locus of control at one end and a high external locus of control at the other. LOC is therefore measured on a continuum.
• Internal locus of control


  People with an internal LOC view themselves as having a great deal of control over their own behaviour and will take responsibility for their own actions. For example, if a student with an internal LOC fails their exam, they will recognise that perhaps they didn’t revise as much as they should have.
• External locus of control


  People with an external LOC believe their behaviour is controlled by forces outside of their control such as luck or fate. For example, if a student with an external LOC fails their exam, they may blame it on bad luck with the questions.
• What does having an internal locus of control (LOC) enable individuals to do regarding pressures to conform and obey?

  It makes them better able to resist pressures to conform and/or obey.
• What are the characteristics of individuals with an internal LOC that help them resist pressures to conform and obey?

  • View themselves as responsible for their actions
  • See themselves more as leaders than followers
  • Do not seek social approval
• How do individuals with an internal LOC view their responsibility for actions?

  They view themselves as responsible for their actions.
• Why are individuals with an internal LOC less likely to obey unjust orders?

  Because they are more likely to remain in an autonomous state.
• How do individuals with an internal LOC perceive their role in social situations?

  They view themselves more as leaders than followers.
• What is the implication of viewing oneself as a leader for individuals with an internal LOC?

  They are more likely to resist pressures to conform to the majority.
• Why do individuals with an internal LOC resist normative social influence?

  Because they do not seek social approval.
• What is normative social influence?

  It is when an individual conforms because they want to fit in.
• What is the relationship between internal LOC and conformity?

  Individuals with an internal LOC are less likely to conform.
• Social support as an explanation for resistance to social influence 


  If there is another person who doesn’t conform to the majority or obey an authority figure, it is easer for another individual to also resist pressures to conform or obey. This is because seeing others not conform/disobey gives observers the confidence to do the same.
• What is one form of social support mentioned in the study material?

  Having a disobedient role model
• How does having a disobedient role model help individuals resist pressures to obey?

  It challenges the legitimacy of the authority figure
• In what scenario might a student refuse to follow a substitute teacher's instructions?

  If another student disobeys and gets away with it
• What effect does a disobedient role model have on the legitimacy of an authority figure?

  It reduces the perceived legitimacy of the authority figure
• What is another form of social support mentioned in the study material?

  Having an ally
• How does having an ally help individuals resist pressures to conform?

  It breaks the unanimity of the group
• What happens to pressures to conform when an individual sees another dissenting in a group setting?

  It decreases due to reduced normative social influence
• How does dissent from an ally affect informational social influence?

  It suggests the majority might be incorrect
• In a classroom assessment, how might a student respond if they see another student answer false while most of the class answers true?

  The student may also answer false instead of conforming
• What are the key effects of having a disobedient role model and an ally on social influence?

  • Disobedient role model:
  • Challenges authority legitimacy
  • Encourages others to resist obedience
  • Ally:
  • Breaks group unanimity
  • Reduces normative and informational social influence
• What does locus of control refer to?

  Locus of control refers to how much a person believes they have control over events in their lives.
• How does an internal locus of control affect resistance to social influence?

  Individuals with an internal locus of control are more likely to resist pressures to conform and obey.
• What is the belief of individuals with an external locus of control?

  They believe their behavior is controlled by forces outside of their control, such as fate.
• Why are individuals with an internal locus of control less likely to obey unjust orders?

  They view themselves as more responsible for their actions.
• How do individuals with an internal locus of control view themselves in social situations?

  They view themselves more as leaders than followers and do not seek social approval.
• What is a strength of locus of control as an explanation for resistance to conformity?

  There is supporting evidence from research showing a relationship between locus of control and conformity.
• Who conducted a meta-analysis of research into locus of control and conformity?

  Avtgis conducted the meta-analysis.
• What did Avtgis find regarding individuals with a higher external locus of control?

  They were more conformist than those with a lower external locus of control.
• What did Holland's replication of Milgram's research reveal about internal locus of control?

  37% of people with an internal locus of control did not continue to the highest shock level.
• What limitation arises from Holland's findings regarding internal locus of control and obedience?

  63% of people with an internal locus of control still obeyed, questioning the sufficiency of internal locus of control.
• What contradicting evidence was found in American locus of control studies from 1960 to 2002?

  People became more resistant to obedience but also more external in their locus of control.
• What does the contradiction in locus of control studies suggest about resistance to social influence?

  If resistance were linked to an internal locus of control, we would expect people to become more internal, not external.
• What did Rotter suggest about the role of locus of control in familiar situations?

  He suggested that locus of control only comes into play in novel situations.
• What implication does Rotter's view have on the influence of locus of control in familiar situations?

  It suggests that previous experiences are more important than locus of control in familiar situations.
• What are the key points of the locus of control explanation for resistance to social influence?

  • Locus of control indicates perceived control over life events.
  • Internal locus leads to resistance against conformity and obedience.
  • External locus leads to conformity due to perceived lack of control.
  • Supporting evidence exists for both conformity and obedience.
  • Limitations include contradictory evidence and the role of past experiences.
• What does social support propose regarding resistance to social influence?

  It suggests that having another person who disobeys makes it easier for an individual to resist pressure to obey.