Resistance to social influence

• What is resistance to social influence ?

  The ways in which individuals attempt to withstand perceived attempts to threaten freedom of choice
• what does resistance to social influence involve ?

  non-conformity

  disobedience
• what is independence?

  involving a lack of consistent movement either toward or away from the social expectancy
• What is anti-conformity ?

  Involving a consistent movement away from social conformity
• what is social support ?

  the presence of others who are defying orders or efforts to make them conform
• What is locus of control ?


  The extent to which individuals believe they have control over their life
• what is an internal locus of control ?

  an individual believes that he things that happen to them are a consequence of their own actions and choices
• what is an external locus of control ?

  consequence of circumstances or other peoples choices
• Who conducted the research on differentiation and newcomer conformity?

  Erka Richardson
• What is the main finding of Richardson's research?

  Group members conform to perceived higher status
• How do perceived status cues affect conformity in groups?

  Lower status individuals conform to higher status
• What are the practical applications of Richardson's research findings?

  • New members shouldn't feel inferior
  • Honest opinions should be encouraged
  • Resistance to poor group decisions is vital
• What implication does the research suggest about high-status decisions?

  They may lead to bad decisions being supported
• What ethical concern is raised by Richardson's study?

  It involved deceit and lack of consent
• Why is informed consent a concern in this research?

  Confederates were not who they claimed to be
• What is the relationship between status and conformity according to the study?

  Higher status individuals resist conformity
• What happens when group members perceive others as having higher status?

  They conform to the group's decisions
• How does the study relate to group dynamics in decision-making?

  It highlights the influence of status on conformity
• What was the focus of Milgram's research?

  To demonstrate obedience to authority
• What do confederates do in Milgram's study?

  They act as participants but are not
• What does a high external locus of control indicate?

  More conformity under normative social pressure
• How did Spector's research relate locus of control to conformity?

  High external LoC leads to more conformity
• What did Shute's study find about internal locus of control?

  It decreases conformity to pro-drug attitudes
• What cultural difference did Moghaddam find regarding conformity?

  Japanese conform more easily than Americans
• What did Avtgis's meta-analysis reveal about internal locus of control?

  It is linked to lower conformity rates
• What was Holland's finding regarding locus of control and obedience?

  No relationship was found between LoC and obedience
• What did Blass's reanalysis of Holland's data suggest?

  Internal LoC helps resist obedience
• How does personal control relate to locus of control and obedience?

  High internal LoC values personal control
• What did Schurz find regarding locus of control and obedience?

  No relationship among Austrian participants
• What did Schurz's study suggest about internal locus of control?

  It relates to taking responsibility for actions
• What chapter contains information on research methods?

  Chapter 7
• How does time affect obedience to orders with negative outcomes?

  Time allows individuals to consider consequences
• What is the expectation in many institutional settings regarding obedience?

  Orders should be complied with immediately
• What is a focus of basic military training?

  Achieving a mindset of immediate obedience
• What did Martin et al. (2007) find about unreasonable orders?

  Participants were less likely to obey when considering orders
• What does systematic processing help resist?

  Social influence
• What did Taylor et al. (1997) report about questioning authority figures?

  Disobedience increases when motives are questioned
• What are the factors involved in resistance to obedience?

  • Systematic processing
  • Morality
  • Personality characteristics
  • Locus of control
• What is meant by resistance to obedience?

  Opposition to following orders
• How do dissenters help reduce obedience?

  By questioning authority and encouraging others