Resisting Social Influence

• Locus of control refers to the sense we have about what directs events in our lives. Rotter proposed the concept of locus of control - a concept concerned with internal vs external
• Locus is defined as a position, point or place, or more specifically a location, where something occurs. A person's locus of control may be internal or external
• Control can be defined as the power to determine outcomes by directly influencing actions, people and events
• Rotter placed locus of control on a scale
• Characteristics of internal locus of control?

  High level of personal control over their lives and behaviour. Take personal responsibility for it. I made it happen
• How does internal LOC relate to SI?

  High internals actively seek out information which will help them personally and are less likely to rely on others. They are more achievement orientated. They can resist pressure from others.
• Characteristics of external LOC?

  The belief that life is determined by external/ environmental factors, such as luck. Wrong place, wrong time
• How does external LOC relate to SI?

  High externals are more likely to by influenced by others as they don't believe they exercise personal control over their lives.
• Holland repeated Milgram's study and measured whether participants were internals or externals. 37% of internals did not continue to the highest shock level (they showed independence) whereas only 23% of externals did not continue.

  63% internals obedient

  77% externals obedient
• Holland's study shows evidence for internal LOC being able to resist social influence - can predict behaviour in obedience tasks
• Twenge et al analysed data from American obedience studies over a 40-year period (1960-2002). The data showed them that over this time span, people have become more resistant to obedience but more external.
• Twenge's study counters the argument for internal and external LOC because according to the theory internals should be more resistant. It also suggests that in more recent times, there is less pressure to be influenced by society - society has become a lot more free-form. Society has less control over us. Also the theory does not stand through time -lacks temporal validity.
• Rotter found that LOC is only important in new situations - its has little influence in familiar situations where previous experiences are always more important.
• Rotter's later research does not support the theory as it demonstrates that it is not applicable in all situations. For example, it does not apply is we are an expert/ have previous experience of a situation. In these scenarios were do not follow other's lead and are less likely to be influenced by others
• Social support refers to how the presence of others who act as models to show that resistance to social influence is possible can be seen in both conformity and obedience.
• Asch found that conformity reduced to 5.5% when one of the confederates gave a different answer to the rest of the group. Social support breaks the unanimous position of the majority.
• In Milgram's study, obedience dropped from 65% to 10% when the genuine participant was joined by a disobedient confederate. With social support, people are more confident to resist obedience if they can find an ally who is willing to join them.
• Allen and Levine found independence increased with one dissenter in an Asch-type study. Even if the dissenter wore thick glasses and said he had problems with his vision. Shows that having a dissenter breaks unanimity and that resistance is not motivated by following what someone else says but it enables someone to be free of the pressure from the group
• Gamson et al found higher levels of resistance in their study than Milgram. This was probably because they were in groups. They had to produce evidence to help an il company run a 'smear campaign' 29/33 groups (88%) rebelled - shows that peer support is linked to greater resistance
• Minority influence is a form of social influence in which a minority (sometimes just one person) persuades others to adopt their beliefs, attitudes or behaviours. It leads to internalisation, in which we agree publicly and privately with the minority view.
• How is minority influence different to conformity?

  With conformity, the majority are doing the influencing, in this case it is the minority.

  Conversion to minority influence tends to be deeper and longer lasting as people have internalised the minority's view point rather than just trying to fit in
• 3 components of minority influence?

  Commitment, consistency, flexibility
• Commitment?

  Show dedication and engage in extreme activities - the augmentation principle
• Flexibility?


  Open to and accept other reasoning