Resistance to Social Influence

• One strength of social support, research support for dissenting peers in resisting obedience. Researcher instructed ppts to produce evidence that would be used to help oil company run smear campaign. Findings show higher levels of resistance than Milgram’s. May be because ppts were in groups so could discuss instructions. 88% ppts rebelled against authority. 
• One strength of locus of control, research evidence to support link between locus of control and resistance to obedience. Researcher replicated Milgram and measured whether ppts were internals or externals. Findings show 37% internals didn’t go to 450v compared to 23% externals who didn’t go to 450v. Shows internals have greater resistance to authority. 
• One limitation of locus of control, contradicting research between obedience and resistance. Researcher analysed data from American locus of control studies conducted over 40 years. Data shows people have become more resistant to obedience and more external. If resistance is linked to locus of control, then we would expect people to be more internal. Suggests locus of control is an invalid explanation of resistance to social influence.