Resistance to social influnce

• What is resistance to social influence?

  When a person withstands social pressure to conform or obey
• What are 2 reasons why people resist social influence?

  1. Situational factors
  2. Dispositional factors
• What is a situational factor?

  Social support
• What is a dispositional factor?

  Internal locus of control
• What is social support?

  Being able to resist social influence due to someone acting in a non-conforming or disobedient way which forms an ally. This allows individuals to act independently.
• What is a dissenter?


  This is someone who breaks unanimity and allows more people to act in a non-conforming manner and provides moral support.
• What is an example of social support?

  Asch. He found that the presence of an ally (someone who stated teh correct line length) led to decreased conformity.
• What is another example of social support?

  Milgram's variation 'the disobedient stooge'. In another variation there were 3 'learners' in a room however, one was a true participant. One confederate refused to carry on at 150v and the other at 250v. Only 15% continued to 450v.
• What are evaluation points of social support?

  1. Research evidence (Allen and Levine 1971)
  2. Alternative explanations (LOC/Holland (1967)
  3. Overlooks individual differences (some people still conform e.g Milgram)
  4. Practical applications (teen girls who smoked, buddy support)
• What are the characteristics of someone with a high external locus of control?

  1. Blames behaviour on outside forces as they do not believe they have control over what happens to them
  2. Fatalistic and passive
  3. More likely to accept influence of others
• What are the characteristics of someone with a high internal locus of control?

  1. Believe they have high levels of control over their own behaviour, events and outcomes
  2. More independent
  3. Rely less on the opinion of others
• What are the two key explanations for resistance to social influence?

  Social support and locus of control
• What is social support in the context of resisting social influence?

  • Presence of others resisting social pressure
  • Empowers individuals to resist
  • Dissenters act as role models
• How does social support empower individuals to resist social pressure?

  It provides confidence and demonstrates resistance is possible
• What did Asch's line study variations demonstrate about social support?

  Conformity decreased with a dissenting confederate
• What real-world example illustrates the power of collective resistance?

  The Rosenstrasse Protests during WWII
• What is a strength of social support as an explanation for resistance to social influence?

  It is supported by empirical research and real-world examples
• What is a weakness of social support in explaining resistance to social influence?

  It fails to explain the initial act of resistance
• What does locus of control (LOC) refer to?

  An individual's belief about control over events
• What is the difference between internal and external locus of control?

  Internal LOC believes in personal control; external LOC attributes control to outside factors
• How does an internal locus of control contribute to resisting social influence?

  It fosters self-confidence and perceived control
• According to Rotter (1966), how does locus of control affect responses to social pressure?

  Internal LOC individuals feel they have a choice
• What is one strength of the locus of control explanation for resistance to social influence?

  It explains individual differences in obedience
• What is a weakness of the locus of control explanation for resistance?

  It can exacerbate feelings of helplessness
• What did Twenge et al. (2004) find regarding locus of control and resistance?

  Resistance increased alongside a rise in external LOC
• What are the limitations of social support in explaining resistance to social influence?

  • Fails to explain the first dissenter
  • Relies on artificial situations
  • Neglects individual differences
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of locus of control in explaining resistance to social influence?

  Strengths:

  • Accounts for individual differences
  • Explains the "first dissenter" phenomenon

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Can exacerbate feelings of helplessness
  • Recent research contradicts its central claims
• What is the relationship between social support and the legitimacy of authority figures?

  • Social support breaks group unanimity
  • Provides alternative perspectives
  • Challenges authority's perceived legitimacy
• What is the significance of considering both situational and dispositional factors in resistance to social influence?

  • Provides a comprehensive understanding
  • Acknowledges the role of individual agency
  • Integrates social and personal influences
• What is social influence?

  The process of changing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
• What is resistance to social influence?

  The ability to withstand social pressure
• Who are dissenters?

  Individuals who refuse to conform to group norms
• What does external validity mean?

  The generalizability of research findings