resistance to social influence

• resistance to social influence is the ability of individuals to oppose the pressure to conform to a majority group or obey an authority figure
• social support is the presence of others who defy authority figures or go against the majority opinion. even a single ally can significantly reduce the perceived risk of nonconformity
• social support is associated with the diffusion of responsibility; the more people who disobey or dissent, the less severe the consequences are likely to be
• social support also counters feelings of isolation and vulnerability from dissent or defiance, reinforcing the individual's resolve and legitimising resistance
• resistance to conformity: individuals with a nonconformist ally are more likely to resist conforming to group pressure because the ally breaks the group's unanimity and creates an alternate group to belong to
• resistance to obedience: individuals with a disobedient role model are more likely to resist obeying the orders of an authority figure because the role model challenges the "legitimacy of authority”
• locus of control refers to a personality trait/belief system regarding what people consider to be the causes of their experiences and the factors that influence their successes or failures
• individuals with an internal locus of control believe that they have personal control over their lives and the outcomes of their actions
• they tend to attribute success and failure to their own efforts and abilities
• people with a strong internal locus of control are more likely to take responsibility for their actions and are generally more proactive in seeking information and making decisions
• individuals with an external locus of control believe that external factors, such as fate, luck, or powerful others control their lives
• they tend to attribute outcomes to outside forces rather than their own actions
• people with a strong external locus of control may feel less empowered to effect change in their lives or to resist social pressures
• resistance to conformity: Individuals with an internal locus of control are more likely to resist conforming to group pressure because they believe in their ability to make independent judgments and decisions
• resistance to obedience: Individuals with an internal locus of control are more likely to resist obeying an authority figure due to their sense of independence, self-confidence and personal responsibility for their actions