A03

• Point: One strength is research evidence for the positive effects of social support.

  Evidence: Albrecht (2006) compared pregnant adolescents who had access to an older mentor compared to those with no such social support, in a programme designed to resist pressures to smoke.

  Explain: The results showed that those with mentors were significantly less likely to smoke than those without mentors.

  Link: Therefore, this suggests that social support interventions can be valuable in empowering individuals to resist harmful social pressures such as smoking.
• Point: Another strength is research evidence supporting the role of dissenting peers in resisting obedience.

  Evidence: Gamson (1982) observed higher levels of resistance when participants were in groups, with 88% rebelling against orders to aid in a smear campaign for an oil company.

  Explain: This highlights the power of peer support in challenging authority and encouraging disobedience.

  Link: Thus, this suggests that dissenting peers can undermine the legitimacy of authority, leading to increased resistance to obedience.
• Point: One strength is research evidence supporting the link between LOC and resistance to obedience.

  Evidence: Holland (1967) found that 37% of internals refused to continue to the highest shock level in a Milgram-type situation compared to 23% of externals.

  Explain: This suggests that individuals with an internal locus of control are more likely to resist obedience.

  Link: Therefore, this supports the validity of LOC as an explanation for disobedience behaviours, emphasising the role of personal beliefs in resisting authority.
• Point: One limitation is evidence challenging the link between LOC and resistance.

  Evidence: Twenge (2004) analysed data spanning 40 years and found that while resistance to obedience increased, so did external locus of control.

  Explain: This unexpected trend suggests that resistance to authority may not necessarily be linked to internal locus of control, as we would expect an increase in internals if this was true.

  Link: Thus, this challenges the validity of LOC as a comprehensive explanation for resistance to social influence.