Social support and resistance to social influence

• What is the role of social support in resisting conformity?

  It provides allies to resist group pressure
• How does social support reduce the pressure of normative social influence?

  It prevents feelings of alienation among individuals
• What happened in Asch’s variation with a confederate ally?

  Conformity rates decreased with social support
• How does social support influence the likelihood of resisting conformity?

  It boosts confidence to oppose the group
• What was the result of Asch's variation with social support?

  Conformity decreased due to allies' presence
• How did social support affect obedience in Milgram's study?

  Obedience rates dropped with allies refusing shocks
• What was the effect of having two confederates refuse to obey in Milgram's experiment?

  Only 10% went to 450 volts
• What voltages did the first and second confederates refuse to administer in Milgram’s variation?

  First refused beyond 150 volts, second 210 volts
• How does social support make independent behaviour easier?

  It provides reassurance and reduces alienation fear
• What does Milgram’s study show about the role of social support in obedience?

  It significantly reduces obedience with allies
• In the context of resisting obedience, how does the presence of confederates affect participants?

  It reduces likelihood of continuing to obey
• How can social support be seen as a factor in reducing conformity?

  It provides validation to resist majority pressure
• Why does social support make it easier for individuals to resist conformity?

  It offers belonging to a non-conforming group
• What percentage of participants in Milgram’s study went to 450 volts with two confederates refusing to obey?

  Only 10% went to 450 volts
• What is Locus of Control (LOC)?

  A personality trait reflecting control over outcomes
• What does an internal locus of control mean?

  Taking responsibility for one's actions and outcomes
• What are characteristics of someone with an internal locus of control?

  Leaders, self-confident, influential
• What does an external locus of control mean?

  Blaming external factors for life outcomes
• What are characteristics of someone with an external locus of control?

  Believes they have little power over events
• How does an external locus of control affect conformity?

  More likely to conform and obey authority
• How does an internal locus of control affect resistance to conformity?

  More likely to resist conformity due to confidence
• Why are those with an internal locus of control more likely to resist obedience?

  Greater personal efficacy and empowerment
• How does an external locus of control relate to the agentic state?

  More likely to enter agentic state and follow orders
• Are people with an internal locus of control more likely to be leaders?

  Yes, due to confidence and responsibility
• Why do people with an external locus of control tend to conform more?

  Believe they have no power to change outcomes
• How does Locus of Control relate to resisting social influence?

  Internal locus leads to resistance against influence
• A limitation of the Locus of Control explanation for resistance to social influence is that it lacks temporal validity. Twenge et al. (2004) conducted a meta-analysis of studies over a 40-year period and found that, contrary to the theory, young people today are becoming more external in their locus of control. This suggests that people are feeling less in control of their lives, which contradicts the idea that an internal locus of control is always associated with resistance to social influence. As a result, the theory may not fully apply to contemporary society, and its relevance over time can be questioned.
• A limitation of the Locus of Control explanation is that it is primarily applicable to new or unfamiliar situations. When individuals face situations they have not encountered before, their locus of control can influence their ability to resist social influence. However, in situations where people have previous experience or established responses, their locus of control may be less influential. For example, someone with an internal locus of control might be confident in a familiar setting, but in a new, high-pressure situation, they could still conform or obey. This suggests that LOC is more relevant in novel situations, limiting its ability to explain resistance to social influence in everyday, familiar contexts.
• Holland (1967) provides supporting evidence for the idea that Locus of Control is particularly relevant in new situations. In his replication of Milgram’s obedience study, Holland found that participants with an internal locus of control were more likely to resist obedience, while those with an external locus of control were more likely to obey. This finding supports the view that an internal locus of control is linked to independent behaviour in unfamiliar or challenging situations. Holland’s study shows that when faced with an authority figure, individuals with an internal locus of control are more confident in resisting social influence, highlighting the importance of personal responsibility in new, pressure-filled scenarios.
• Allen and Levine (1971) provide supporting evidence for the role of Locus of Control in resisting social influence, particularly in new situations. In their study, they found that when an ally with a strong, independent opinion was introduced, participants were more likely to resist conformity to a majority view. This effect was especially pronounced in those with an internal locus of control, who were less reliant on the group’s opinions and felt more confident in their own judgments. This supports the idea that individuals with an internal locus of control are better equipped to resist social pressure, particularly in unfamiliar situations where they are less likely to be influenced by others.