locus of control

• the 2 explanations of why people resist social influence are:

  • locus of control (usually internal)
  • social support
• Rotter proposed 'locus of control' as an explanation for resistance to social influence. some people have an internal loc believing that everything that happens is controlled by themselves. some people have an external locus of control where they believe everything is controlled by external factors such as luck or fate
• people with a high internal locus of control are more likely to resist social influence. this is because they base their decisions on their own beliefs rather than on the opinions of those around them
• locus of control refers to the sense we each have about what directs events in our lives - externals believe that it is a matter of luck or outside events whereas internals believe they themselves are responsible for what happens to them
• the locus of control continuum - people are not usually either external or internal but are on a scale somewhat in-between - a high internal would be more towards one end and a high external on the other end
• people with a high internal locus of control also tend to be more self confident and goal directed - these are characteristics of leaders rather than people who care for social approval
• one strength of locus of control as an explanation for resistance to social influence is that Holland et al found that 37% of internals refused to go to 450v as opposed to 23% of externals who refused to administer 450V - showing a link between resistance and internal locus of control