Exp for resistance to social influence

• Resistance to social influence

  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.
• Those with an internal LOC therefore have characteristics that make them better able to resist pressures to conform and/or

  obey. This is because they:

  • View themselves as responsible for their actions, making them more likely to stay in an autonomous state and resist unjust orders.
  • See themselves as leaders rather than followers, making them more likely to resist conforming to the majority.
  • Do not seek social approval, making them less susceptible to normative social influence (pressure to conform to fit in).
• describe 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.
• Forms of social support include

  
  

  Having a disobedient role model (for resisting pressures to obey)this gives other individuals the confidence to resist pressures to obey because it challenges the legitimacy of the authority figure. For example, if a student refuses to follow a substitute teacher’s instructions and gets away with it, other students may also refuse to follow the substitute teacher’s

  instructions. This is because the legitimacy of their authority has reduced – i.e. the students realise the substitute teacher has no control over them.
• Forms of social support include: Having an ally (for resisting pressures to conform)

  When one person resists conformity, it gives others the confidence to do the same by breaking group unanimity. This reduces pressures from both normative social influence (the desire to fit in) and informational social influence (the belief that the majority is correct). For instance, in a class assessment, a student is more likely to stick with their own answer if they see another student dissenting from the majority.
• Evaluate locus of control as an explanation for resistance to social influence.

  • there is supporting evidence
  • it has also received supporting evidence when explaining resistance to obedience
  • it has received further contradicting evidence
  • the role of an individual’s LOC in resisting conformity and obedience has been somewhat exaggerated
• Evaluate social support as an explanation for resistance to social influence.

  • there is supporting evidence
  • received supporting evidence when explaining resistance to conformity
  • it may depend on when the social support is provided
• Minority influence

  Minority influence occurs when a small group challenges majority beliefs to drive social change. Through the snowball effect, more people adopt the minority's view until it becomes the majority, often by internalizing the new viewpoint. Once this shift happens, the original source of influence is typically forgotten, a process called social crypto-amnesia.
• Commitment

  Commitment in minority influence is shown when members take risks or make sacrifices for their beliefs, like investing time or money. This dedication draws attention, signaling certainty, confidence, and courage, and shows they aren't motivated by self-interest. This commitment can inspire others from the majority to join.
• Consistency

  People often assume a new minority is wrong due to its opposition to the majority. However, if the minority remains consistent—repeating the same message over time—others may begin to reconsider the issue more thoughtfully. Consistency is shown when all minority members share the same view and maintain it over time.
• Flexibility

  Excessive consistency can seem rigid and deter the majority, so minorities must show flexibility by acknowledging valid counterarguments and negotiating with the majority. Striking a balance between consistency and flexibility is essential, as too much flexibility may appear inconsistent, while some compromise can enhance their influence.
• Evaluate the role of commitment, consistency and flexibility in minority influence.

  • it has also received supporting evidence
  • it has received supporting evidence
  • it has typically used artificial tasks
  • other factors such as identification can also influence the effectiveness of a minority
  • it has real-life application